Features

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

This suggestion comes too late for Randy Leisk Jr., 15, and Michael Luzny, 18, who died after trying to swim to shore when their boat ran out of fuel in the North Arm of Great Slave Lake.

Leisk was sent to the Sacred Flame Healing Camp at Old Fort Rae as part of a court sentence, to pay off a fine and perform community service. Luzny was reportedly there to work. He and another teen, 19-year-old Nazon Goulet, were left in charge when the camp operators left to tend to other business. Goulet stayed in the boat, which drifted to shore.

So far, the Department of Justice has deflected questions about the camp to the court, saying the department had nothing to do with the sentence. That's true, but the government has a responsibility to the young offenders and their families to ensure facilities they are sent to operate in a way that doesn't put the youth at risk.

Some people may be inclined to dismiss these deaths because the youth had been in trouble with the law. It doesn't matter what Leisk or anyone else did to be sent to the camp. It matters that they were there and that Leisk, at least, was sent by a judge.

Puzzling is the statement that the government has no regulations that cover this kind of operation. How can that be when the Justice website says it has "several open custody alternative homes/bush camps for low risk youth through independent contractors." Does the government give money to anyone who says they run a bush camp without regard to programming, staffing and facilities?

If this particular camp was not one of the government's approved contractors, how could a youth be sent there?

There are many questions that must be answered, not only for the Leisk and Luzny families, but for any family whose child runs afoul of the law.

The coroner is investigating, but while his office won't commit at this point to holding a public inquiry, we don't believe there is any choice. The NWT Coroner's Act says he "shall hold an inquest where the coroner becomes aware of the death of a person while detained or in custody."

As far as we're concerned, Leisk was in custody.

The goal of a coroner's inquest is to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding a death. It would also see a jury come up with a list of recommendations that will prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. It's not about blame; it's about fixing a problem.

At this point, we see a big problem: lack of government regulations on the operation of bush camps where young offenders can be sent.

I was driving down to the office, a drive I've done dozens of times in my seven weeks in Rankin Inlet, and I noticed that just now the ice is breaking up.

When I first got here I was told I would probably get a chance to see the water, and it seems suiting that it arrived just as I departed.

I can't help but get sentimental about the symbolism of finally seeing the water, like I feel I'm just starting to understand the community.

My first editorial spoke about the shock I felt arriving in Rankin Inlet from the comforts of Yellowknife. With no movies, malls, or pubs to fill my time, I found myself rather lost.

In the time I've spent here, I've realized that these things that are missing from the community are not lacking. If anything, I think not having these things is what made this experience so wonderful.

Fortunate to meet so many people eager to show me around, the things I've experienced in my seven weeks are things I'll carry with me my whole life. I'll never forget my first snowmobile ride on the ocean. Riding fast on the glistening snow in May was hard to believe, even harder was seeing that ice break and melt as the weeks went on.

Fishing at the Diane was equally memorable. I'm sure it was for my fishing partner as well, to hear me giggle and shriek as I tried to pick up his catch, a grayling.

My giggles and shrieks came out once again as I tried my first time at driving a Honda. I needed a reminder that rocks were something to be avoided, not aimed at.

Fond memories will stay with me of our nights at the cabin, looking out across the river at the majestic landscape laid out before us for kilometres on end.

My dearest memories I will reserve for my three little followers. They kept me company at the office, at home. They were eager to help and even more eager to please, helping me with my tasks and making each one a game. We laughed and giggled and cried together, and I will always keep the three of you close to my heart.

I was warned before I came up here that I wouldn't be quite settled until it was time to leave. I realize now how true that is. As excited as I am to see my friends and love at home, there are many people I will be missing here.

Paul and Jeff, thank you for showing me so many things and putting up with my girlish screams on the Honda. MC, you've been a wonderful friend, a kindred spirit when I needed one the most. Jeff and Jaime, I feel sad we were all just getting to know each other as I was leaving. Andrea, you've been a wonderful friend and companion, and I hope we always keep in touch.

My most sincere goodbyes go to Kandice, Glen, and Lila-mai. Though we have many years between us, I felt we all shared the same spirit. Thank you for teaching me to laugh so freely once again.

To the rest of Rankin Inlet, I appreciate so much the welcome you've shown me. This is a wonderful place to live.

On that note, I feel I must make this one last comment. While I claim to be no expert on Inuit ways, I can see how much hunting and traditional lifestyle mean to this community. In this respect, I urge you to look carefully at what's being done with the land.

Mining provides short-term employment, creating jobs for a period of time and leaving massive environmental damage and ghost towns behind it.

The caribou are a vital aspect of your culture, but with mining permits issued all over this territory those caribou are currently at serious risk. Choosing where to issue those permits is not saying no to mining companies, it's only showing them that you are in control and that you won't so easily sell your territory, and, in consequence, your lifestyle and culture.

Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik was wrong to say what he did towards Lynda Gunn.

Calling Gunn a "f---ing bitch" during a June 25 dinner in Labrador, in a voice loud enough to be heard by people standing nearby, was completely inappropriate. There is no question about that.

We don't know Okalik's motivation for such harsh sentiment towards Gunn. Whatever it may have been, it doesn't justify his profane remarks.

The Premier obviously realized this. Although he chalked up his miscue to the stress of a long week, he wasted little time in issuing personal and public apologies. If his ill-advised words directed at Gunn illustrated his character, so did his ability to recognize his mistake and say he's sorry.

We've all made comments that we've regretted, and, after they have passed our lips, the best we can do is be genuinely contrite and learn a humbling lesson.

Gunn said she doesn't accept Okalik's apology and has demanded that he resign. She has support from Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley and a number of representatives from women's groups, all expressing outrage over Okalik's rude remark.

With an election scheduled for next spring it wouldn't be productive to force the Premier to step down, impeding progress and causing the government to lose focus.

If Okalik were to make another blunder of a similar nature, or if others can prove he has expressed such hurtful views in the recent past, then it would be time to remove him from office. Otherwise, voters in his own riding will have a chance to pass judgment on Okalik in several months, should he decide to run again.

Until then, to try to add some balance to this heated controversy, remember that Okalik is the same man who made Levinia Brown and Leona Aglukkaq, both rookie MLAs, members of his cabinet in 2004.

They were the only two women elected to the 19-member legislature by Nunavummiut. While Okalik had no control over the lack of female presence, he moved to empower the two women who successfully advanced into territorial politics.

"We want to show that women are welcome in this house," he said at the time.

Let's keep the bigger in picture in mind before we rush to send the Premier packing.

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Respect for the dead

Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik News
Thursday, July 12, 2007

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No doubt by now you've all heard about the cemetery restoration project being done by the Town of Inuvik. While this is a controversial issue, I feel it's important that this work be done.

The site we chose to be the final resting place for many of our loved ones is not stable and is in dire need of attention.

There are drainage issues and that affects us every year. The snow melts and leaves a lot of water that wasn't moving anywhere.

I was through the site last week and saw the remnants of the water runoff. It was a small puddle that will soon be gone.

An area that runs parallel with the graves was recently dug up and a new culvert is now in place.

Signs like that steel culvert re-affirm that the town office is working hard to fix the problems and should be commended for its work.

The mayor says that the grave markers will be replaced in the exact spots they came from, with the aid of GPS and surveying technology.

It is important that the town office be aware that they are walking on spiritual ground.

Many people and many religious beliefs hold respect for the deceased in high regard.

I know that the crews don't mean any disrespect to those whose graves they are working around. I know that they are simply doing a job that needs doing.

At the same time, I expect that people who are working in the cemetery should treat every cross and grave marker with the same dignity that they would a person.

Those markers are what we use to remember those loved ones who aren't with us anymore.

The process of the work includes moving and replacing the old crosses with new ones.

But the sight of old crosses left in a pile by the side of the shed was wrenching.

Families placed those crosses in order to honour someone's memory. I doubt they'd appreciate seeing their loved one's name in the dirt.

My two grandparents are buried in that cemetery beside each other. Our family put hard work into those graves.

We did it during a difficult time in our lives and I feel that it helped as part of the grieving process.

I know that there are a lot of people reading this who aren't from here and don't have family buried in that cemetery. But I hope you understand the importance of being respectful.

During a town council meeting on Monday night, a man came forward with his concerns to share with our councillors. He told them that he was shocked to see his daughter's grave without a marker.

"I know you mean well and your hearts are in the right places, but what's done is done," he said.

He also saw the pile of crosses that were on the side of the cemetery.

It's a sensitive issue and I know that people have been up in arms about this.

After talking with members of town council, I can tell you they are sincere in their actions. They want the best for our community, including our deceased.

Remember that though it might not look too appealing now, soon the cemetery will be one we can all be proud of.