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Unless one races dog teams or is a professional breeder, there is no reason anyone should have 30 dogs or more on their property, certainly not without a kennel for maintaining that many animals.
Some may believe if they live some distance from a populated area, what they do is their own business and nobody else's.
If any of these dogs come in contact with rabid animals -- which will surely happen sooner or later -- not only could they pose a danger to neighbours and passersby, but to the owners themselves.
Great Slave Animal Hospital has offered to neuter and spay the dogs at a discount price.
But even then, the owners have not demonstrated they will act responsibly with the large number of dogs already present.
The NWT Dog Act gives RCMP plenty of leeway to act in the public's best interest.
Clearly, a warning won't do any more. If proper homes can't be found for these dogs, they should be destroyed.
Picture a headline, 'Rabid dog attacks child.' Sounds sensational doesn't it?
We may have to write it some day if this situation is allowed to continue.
Among the many demands put upon a growing city is managing the flow of vehicles and people that comes with new businesses.
Yellowknife is going through that right now.
Most of the growth is out along Old Airport Road. Extra Foods is building a new, bigger store. The Direct Charge Co-op is doubling its space. Canadian Tire moved there 18 months ago, joining Wal-Mart, Tim Hortons, Marks Work Wearhouse, Super 8, Saan, Home Building Centre and many other businesses.
Despite that, most of the city's attention has been focused on downtown revitalization. While that's important, the city must address Old Airport growth before it gets more out of control.
Already, it's difficult to get into Tim Hortons and Mark's Work Wearhouse. Talk to anyone who tries to get out of Canadian Tire on a busy Saturday and you'll hear a litany of complaints about the steady stream of traffic.
City council must do more than acknowledge Old Airport Road concerns.
Council should form a committee to work with businesses. What's needed is a plan to deal with the existing problems and anticipate new ones.
Editorial Comment
Chris Puglia
Kivalliq News
Once again the Kivalliq is showing its prowess in the sporting arena.
This time the hero turning international heads isn't personified in a hometown hockey legend, however.
The role models are instead, six regional youth. Through determination, dedication and hard work, they will make up over half of team Nunavut competing at the Western Canada Summer Games in Manitoba in August.
The six badminton players aren't mentors for Kivalliq youth because their walls are lined with trophies, or they expect to leave Manitoba weighed to the ground by medals.
These youth, aged 15-18, are great examples of what it means to play with heart and in the spirit of fun and love for the game.
It's great to be able to see sport handled in such a fashion.
Too much these days, especially down south, youth are instilled with a win at all costs attitude.
They are placed in sports at a young age to be the best, not for the love of the game, or for the joy and character building of competition.
Too often have we seen coaches and parents rob youth of the life lessons and fun that can be derived from playing team sports. Instead they strip away the fun and try to create a sporting "soldier." This will ultimately turn most kids away from sports.
That is why it is uplifting to see five local youth working so hard. Not so they can go and win, but so they can compete and have fun.
Kivalliq youth, Nunavut youth and youth from across the nation should take a page from these players' playbook.
There is more to athletics than winning and being the best.
There is also the camaraderie, physical and mental development, strengthening of character and the love and joy of the games.
Speaking as a minor softball and basketball coach, I know that if you work on those things first, as well as skill and technical development you already have a winning team, regardless to what the scoreboard says.
No one ever beats a team or a player who comes off the court, the field or the ice with a smile on their face.
So the next time you see Tapaarjuk Friesen, Andrea McLarty, Kelli McLarty, Wayne Kusugak, Adam Tanuyak or Michael Putulik -- wish them luck. They are going to be representing the pride of Nunavut.
I hope to hear of more local youth following in their footsteps.
- Note: Darrell Greer is on holidays and will return when the birds fly south.
Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum
While it's not going to be a popular decision with students, the new rule banning junk food from the schools is a good idea.
I've spent a lot of time around the schools and I can really sympathize with teachers who are trying to impart wisdom to a throng of 20 or so kids who are buzzing on a sugar jag.
Attention spans are reduced to zero and time is wasted, both for the teachers and the students.
It's become obvious to educators and the board that they aren't getting much help from parents, so they had to make a move on their own.
Banning sugar and grease from the schools might also send a ripple effect back home to the parents, who might think about reducing the junk food around the house too.
Laying pipe
There was sure a buzz of excitement around town last week after the announcement of the pipeline deal.
Even outside the oil and gas show, the people on the streets and in the shops were finding it very easy to smile.
For many it was long overdue, but for most it felt like a dream that's finally come true.
All around town you could feel it; that hum of hope that something huge is happening.
The dealing is far from done though, with benefit and land access agreements yet to be finalized and environmental assessments to be conducted, but this deal provides something tangible to work from.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
Keyna Norwegian is chief of Fort Simpson.
She garnered more votes than any of the other eight contenders but only had 25 per cent support overall. It was highly unlikely that one candidate would attract 50 per cent or more of the vote with so much competition. Whether Norwegian's lack of majority support will become a recurring issue will largely be up to her. If she and her council are responsive to band members' needs and demands, she ought to cruise along without too many squeaky wheels.
Fortunately, she will be undertaking her first term with three years of experience as sub-chief. She is, therefore, familiar with current issues.
This band election generated a great deal of interest, a healthy sign. Eight people wanted to become chief and 12 put their names forward for council. Voter turnout, it should be noted, was around 69 per cent, a pretty impressive figure.
Although Norwegian was successful, seven other candidates met with disappointment. Obviously, they felt they had something to offer. Now they'll have to contribute by being active band members -- speaking out when necessary, promoting debate and keeping chief and council accountable. It's still an important role to play.
Small enterprise
It's nice to see a couple of new businesses springing up in the Deh Cho. A mobile cook shack is serving up burgers, fries and other food in Fort Liard. A clothing store has opened its doors in Nahanni Butte -- no kidding, a clothing store in Nahanni Butte!
There isn't a large population base to serve in either case. Fort Liard is home to about 500 people while Nahanni Butte has less than 100 residents.
Not surprisingly, both ventures are seasonal. Regardless of whether the enterprises remain open for only a short period, they spark interest and pride in the community. They imbue business skills in the entrepreneur. Maybe they will inspire others to start up their own little operation.
Even if the businesses don't stick around for long, the impression they make will last for quite a while.
Good for the business-minded individuals who have dared to step out on their own.
Quote of the week
There wasn't much to laugh about when Paul Guyot brought his complaint to council on June 16 (see related story in this edition). Councillor Sean Whelly did inject some levity during a rather tense moment. He quipped:
"I'll be Perry Mason here. Somebody must be telling us a lie."
The article "No smoking in September?" in the June 20 Yellowknifer stated RCMP would be responsible for upholding the smoking bylaw, when it is bylaw officers who are the primary enforcers. Yellowknifer apologizes for any confusion.