Friday, June 01, 2001
We're alarmed over the lack of federal attention paid to the recent demolition of a Giant Mine bridge on Baker Creek.
It's clear that Miramar, concerned with the creek's high water levels, had little choice but to bulldoze the bridge before major flooding took place on both the adjacent open pit and possibly underground. What we are questioning is why wasn't the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as well as Indian and Northern Affairs, which has a special interest in the property, aware that Miramar was bulldozing the bridge in the first place?
When Yellowknifer contacted them to get comments, after a local angler complained of the bridge's demise, we were told they were unaware of Miramar's plan to tear down the bridge.
Inspectors did eventually visit the site, only to tell our reporter it looked like a job well done.
Steve Harbicht, head of assessment and monitoring for Environment Canada, said it "seemed from what I saw they did a reasonable job, but I wasn't there when it was going on, so I can't comment on that."
Further, we were told by a Fisheries official that no permit was required to remove the bridge. Really? Why not?
It wasn't so long ago that federal officials took a harder line on meddling with our waterways. Last year, the Deton'Cho Corporation, a Yellowknives Dene company with a permit in hand, pushed a pile of gravel into Back Bay and stored drums of oil on the shoreline. They were fined $63,000 for polluting the bay.
Deton'Cho has since appealed the conviction and is now bracing for a judicial ruling.
At this point, it suggests a double standard is developing. And with the environmental state of the property at Giant Mine looming over the city, we can't afford anything but fair and strict application of the laws designed to protect our environment.
Every time you turn around, it seems, there's a graduation for this and another for that.
Whether it's "kindergrad" -- from Kindergarten -- or graduation from elementary to middle school or middle to high school, we have rites of passage for almost everything.
This proliferation may seem absurd, but consider what they mark: the transition from carefree childhood where school isn't all day or going from being a child to being a teen.
This week, Yellowknife students celebrate one of the most important events in their lives: Grade 12 graduation.
Last Saturday, Sir John Franklin high school celebrated its grad in fine style and, this weekend, St. Patrick high school sends its Grade 12's on to the next phase of their lives.
At the same time, they're preparing for final exams, nervously awaiting letters of response from universities and colleges around the country and planning how they will spend this final summer after public school.
We want to send our best wishes for their future because they are so important to Yellowknife and the rest of the NWT.
These grads will go on to be doctors and lawyers, teachers and trades workers, day care providers, truck drivers and diamond miners.
Some view grad as a chance to break free of Yellowknife and get into the big world. Others who go south may be lured to stay by the bright lights of its big cities.
We hope those who leave will remember their Northern roots and return to take their places in our growing territory.
Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum
Well, here I am again with another issue, after a long (and well deserved) vacation.
I arrived in town last Friday, and I hadn't even left the airport before I met up with several people I knew and was welcomed back to Inuvik.
That sentiment has continued and I must say it's good to be back.
Before I go any further I have to give a big, big thank you to Maria Canton and Dawn Ostrem, who filled in for me during my absence.
Right off the bat I got to cover a neat story, namely the 30-Hour Famine at Samuel Hearne Secondary school. More than 40 students went without food to raise funds for World Vision.
Their willingness and ability to go without food for so long was impressive, especially for someone like me who hates to miss a single meal, let alone a bunch in a row.
Students I spoke to commented on how fun the event was, what with games and other activities going on. But they also pointed out the event was for a good cause, and some said the famine was a good way for them to understand what it's like for those who have no choice about going to bed hungry.
And speaking of Samuel Hearne students, ironically enough, some of them were recently in my neck of the woods.
While I was vacationing in Prince Edward Island, five SHSS students took part in the Canadian Junior Debating Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
By all accounts they did the NWT proud.
Congrats to these seven, as well as all those behind the scenes who helped make the trip possible.
This might also put a bit more focus on the school's debate club. Not many who get into debating go on to compete at a national level, but it can provide a lot of good experience.
As well, good public speaking skills and boosted confidence will serve students well no matter what they do after school.
Speaking of which, congrats also to the 2001 Samuel Hearne graduating class. Their grad ceremony takes place this Friday.
Graduation is one those key milestones in life. It's a way for young people to announce to the world that they're about to venture into it, on their own, and are ready to make their mark.
Reaching the end of high school also marks acknowledgement of a lot of studying, hard work and much fun.
Good luck to the grads of 2001.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson
The importance of next week's Aboriginal Pipeline Group meeting in Hay River should not be understated. Whether each region will be prepared to ratify the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline agreement giving aboriginal groups one-third ownership is uncertain.
Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief Michael Nadli and chief negotiator Chris Reid have made it clear that consenting to a pipeline prior to developing a Interim Resource Development Agreement with the federal government, which is expected to take another year, will compromise their position at the self-government negotiations table.
After reprimanding the Deh Cho's Aboriginal Pipeline Working Group delegates for not properly representing the DCFN's position, it would appear hypocritical for Nadli to sign a proposed agreement next week. Yet, as Wilf Blonde suggested, it will be up to all First Nations chiefs to sign the agreement, not just the grand chief. There were those who will defend the APWG delegates. Will they be willing to sign a proposed deal? Could the majority of Deh Cho communities be willing to get on board?
Some have questioned why there's such a rush to sign an agreement. Remember that pipeline negotiations have been taking place in the context of a race against a rival pipeline stretching from Alaska through the Yukon. While a number of industry analysts have claimed both pipelines will eventually be built because of the great demand for natural gas, there still seems to be a competition to be first to reach southern markets.
There's another potential roadblock through the Sahtu as well. The Western Arctic Energy Corporation, based in Norman Wells, has its own proposal for 100 per cent aboriginal ownership of the pipeline. Blonde said that proposal has no merit. We'll find out next week if everyone else agrees with his opinion.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
While we congratulate Rankin Inlet's Dustin MacDonald on making the first cut towards earning a birth on the 2001-02 edition of the Team Pacific hockey club, we couldn't help but notice when it was that the coaches and scouting staff make their final evaluations.
The time frame of September through to November vividly illustrates what's wrong with the current hockey season in the Kivalliq due to the lack of one regional artificial ice surface.
Basically, it puts us out of whack with the rest of the country and severely limits what our developing young players are able to accomplish.
Now, we're not saying the time wouldn't be right anyway for MacDonald to head down south to further his hockey career, artificial ice in the Kivalliq or not.
What we are saying is it's time we started to move towards getting our hockey program in sync with the rest of the country and, at least, laying the foundation for the day when our home-grown talent will be able to develop in their own territory.
With all the informed and educated voices to have spoken up in the past two years about the benefits of artificial ice, it kind of makes you wonder if anyone in the Nunavut government is listening.
That sentiment goes out with our apologies to a certain Iqaluit MLA who we know has been listening. Unfortunately, the message he's been receiving has been somewhat distorted.
Praise deserved
It's a wonderful feeling to see so many of our Kivalliq teachers earning recognition for their classroom efforts.
From the iglu project in Arviat, to Muffin Saturdays in Repulse Bay and every hamlet in between, our Kivalliq teachers are continuing to raise the bar of excellence in their innovative approaches to higher learning.
We also applaud Carmie MacLean's modesty in viewing her Prime Minister's Award as an award to all teachers who strive so diligently every day to open the doors of knowledge within the minds of our youth.
The Northern environment presents an even deeper challenge to these educators in effectively blending contemporary subjects with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. A challenge, by most indications of the past two years, which is slowly being met.
Our Kivalliq teachers are to be commended for their efforts. But, hey, why let the prime minister steal all the glory? Take the time to thank a teacher today.