Monday, February 05, 2001
Norman Wells lost its greenest thumb last week. After a dozen years of rearing bedding plants and vegetables for his corner of the territory, Gerry Loomis closed Canada's northern-most commercial greenhouse.
The reason was high energy prices and the irony was not lost on Mr. Loomis.
Norman Wells is awash in fossil fuels. It sits atop a large bubble of gas that is still burned off, or used to force oil from the deep pools beneath the hamlet. The only market for the gas is local and residents were happy to have an abundant supply in the middle of nowhere.
Until this winter, when world energy prices went mad again.
Imperial Oil raised the price of natural gas in Norman Wells by 97 per cent. Pressed by the hamlet council, the company throttled back by 30 per cent, but the bill was still too much for the Loomis greenhouse.
Closing one greenhouse isn't the end of the world as we know it, but it does raise questions about the viability of contemporary life North of 60.
Northerners strive to recreate southern comforts. That makes this is a very expensive place to live, regardless of whether we own or rent shelter. Food, fuel, communications, recreation, travel - all are much more expensive in the North. This year promises to be more costly still as the impact of rising fuel prices works through the economy.
Employers strive to keep up, but with a few exceptions, wages and salaries in the North are the same or lower than in southern Canada. It is increasingly difficult to attract and retain teachers, doctors and nurses. Those problems are evidently in other occupations.
We're getting close to the wall. The writing on it warns that the territories are close to the point where Northern communities may not economically viable if we continue to reach beyond the frontier of common sense to maintain southern lifestyles.
Some people may be offended by Housing Minister Manitok Thompson's "advice" that people should put heating their homes ahead of lighting up a cigarette.
Others -- us among them -- say "right on."
The cost of heating fuel in Nunavut has risen dramatically over the past year and people in places like Gjoa Haven are feeling the pinch.
The government is willing to help people pay the bills and keep warm during our long winter, but there's a measure of personal responsibility that must also come into play.
For those who have yet to kick the smoking habit, that means filling the tank with heating fuel before going to the Co-op or Northern store for another pack of smokes.
There is no better place for RCMP member trading cards than in the North.
Not only are these glossy cards, which include the officer's photo and personal information, improving police-community relations, they are being used to transport some very important messages such as: "Don't be a dope," and Stay in school."
And the best part is the kids who are collecting these cards, almost as fast as the precious Pokeman, don't seem to mind the words of wisdom.
The cards are available in Hall Beach, Iqaluit, Rae-Edzo and Cambridge Bay.
Other communities should seriously consider adopting the program.
The officers may even get a thrill when they find out their card is the most popular on the playground.
The Town of Iqaluit has a sensitive issue on its plate.
The debate around amending a dog bylaw pits safety of children against traditional values.
The municipality is considering a bylaw banning sled dogs from being tethered in residential areas, especially areas where children play or hang out.
Although a clear decision on where dogs can or can not be kept has not yet been made, it has outfitters and commercial tour companies complaining that town lawmakers are insensitive to Northern lifestyle and tradition.
Regardless of how tightly culture is held to, some change is inevitable. Alternatives are surely possible when the lives of children, or anyone else, are at risk.
It should not be an issue of destroying an element of culture.
It should be one of doing what's best for all the residents of Iqaluit.
Developing tourism in the M'Clintock Channel is a very good idea.
It is also an idea that comes with a certain sense of urgency and must be developed sooner rather than later.
The new industry is needed in the area because the polar bear harvest quota was significantly reduced this year and a total moratorium will follow in 2002.
This means guides and hunters from Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Cambridge Bay all need to find a new source of income. Tourism seems to be a logical place to start.
The area is beautiful. The fishing is fabulous. The history is replete with the adventures and mystique of the Arctic explorers.
In fact, the only thing standing in the way of a lucrative adventure tourism industry is a lack of planning.
Thankfully, that's easy enough to remedy. It just takes the time, energy and dedication of people who want to see the new industry come to light.
Rather than spend the next several months quibbling over the work that needs to be done or waste any more time pointing fingers at who should be taking responsibility, it would be prudent of the people in the affected hamlets to at least begin the planning.
The Government of Nunavut has taken the lead by conducting a study to assess exactly who will be impacted by the bear moratorium and to what extent.
Kitikmeot residents must not let time fritter away. It takes a great deal of time to get a new tourism business off the ground. The hunters will not be able to replace the income they'll lose this year. But, if they roll up their sleeves and get at it, they might be able to fend off some of next year's economic hardship and set an example of success for other Nunavut regions.
Nick Sibbeston and Richard Nerysoo are finally getting what they deserve: a national award.
The NWT leaders will be honoured in Edmonton next month with an Aboriginal Achievement Award.
Their list of accolades dates back to the 1970s and includes pioneering achievements.
Sibbeston was the first aboriginal lawyer in the NWT. Nerysoo was the country's first aboriginal and youngest premier, and the first aboriginal elected as speaker in the NWT legislative assembly.
Both men deserve credit for their significant contributions to their people and the North.