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One might think by the reported comments from some city councillors that there is something wrong with store parking along Old Airport Road that needs urgent fixing.

Coun. Cory Vanthuyne, who sits on the city's Smart Growth Implementation Committee, told council last week that he would like to see big box stores in the area be "a little more user-friendly and a little bit more user-accessible" for pedestrians and transit users. To that end, he wants to restrict parking spaces out front and bring the stores closer to the sidewalks.

His comments come after council was presented with a memo by administration that singles out the Canadian Tire parking lot -- 61 metres from street to store -- as "not in compliance with the proposed setback requirements."

Too bad those weren't the rules when city development officers approved Canadian Tire's development permit 10 years ago. Or when it became apparent Wal-Mart's parking lot was going to book-end a gas station with an insanely busy Tim Hortons on the other side. Some awful planning that was.

The truth of the matter is Old Airport Road, particularly between the Co-op and the junction at Highway 3, is a bit of mess in the same sort of helter skelter manner in which development has sprung up elsewhere in the city like Old Town and Kam Lake.

On Old Airport Road we have the box stores like Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire but also a hodgepodge of dishevelled-looking operations littered with broken down trucks and piles of junk out front. There are three vehicle dealerships, a boat and snowmobile shop, two transportation yards, and a bulk propane fuel supplier, among others.

The city's Smart Growth Development Plan, developed at a cost of $170,000, identifies several reasonable remedies that would provide better uses for Old Airport Road - at least for some properties. That includes allowing medium and high density development in the area and encouraging industrial operations to move out to the nearly empty Engle Business District. Most people who have lived in cities elsewhere will recognize arterial streets that feed suburbs the way Old Airport Road ought to be: with lots of stores, restaurants and apartment blocks lining them.

Having high density housing in these areas keeps the "not-in-my-backyard" types with their half-million dollar homes happy by keeping large-scale development out of their neighbourhoods, and makes apartment dwellers happy - especially those who don't own vehicles - by keeping them close to entertainment and shopping centres.

But much like achieving results from development rule changes proposed for downtown, which council has put on the back burner after testing the waters of public perception and finding them lukewarm, the Old Airport Road recommendations will take time to achieve the desired results -- a lot of time.

And as far as the Canadian Tire parking lot goes, the city better get used to the idea that not everything will change.

In the meantime, our municipal politicians and administration need to work closely with businesses on Old Airport to make sure they're on board when it needs them to be. Yellowknifer spoke to some business owners and managers prior to the writing of this editorial and while it was obvious they were aware the city was planning something for their street, all complained that no one from the city had talked to them.

That's why it's unhelpful when city officials openly muse about stores needing to be closer to the street, and parking should be at the side or in the back. Such things are not possible at this time so why talk like it is and make some business owners feel targeted?

Fort Liard is part of the Deh Cho, but in many ways it also stands apart. Its geographical location is partially responsible for the sense of distance.

Located in the far southwestern corner of the region, Fort Liard seems closer to B.C. than it does to its nearest Deh Cho neighbour.

In fact, Acho Dene Koe First Nation claims traditional lands in both the Yukon and B.C., in addition to the Deh Cho.

The state of Highway 7 also adds to this disconnect. It's far easier for residents of the hamlet to make the trip to Fort Nelson for supplies than Fort Simpson or beyond.

Fort Liard is also distanced on a political level.

The split was formally made in October 2008 when a resolution to remove Acho Dene Koe First Nation (ADK) from the definition of Dehcho First Nations and the entire Dehcho Process was unanimously passed at a Dehcho First Nations' fall leadership meeting.

Three months earlier, ADK had signed an agreement with the territorial and federal governments to negotiate its own land claims agreement.

One of the reasons ADK gave for going its own way was that it wanted to assert its claim on traditional land in the Yukon and B.C., something that couldn't be done under the Dehcho Process.

Going it alone wasn't an easy path to choose.

ADK is now negotiating on its own with the territorial and federal governments. It can no longer count on the shared clout of the much larger Dehcho First Nations.

In addition to dealing with the two levels of government, ADK has also been faced with challenges from the Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K'e Dene bands with regards to overlapping traditional lands, an issue that has yet to be resolved.

ADK's recent election has put Harry Deneron back in the position of chief. It's a familiar role for Deneron, who first took on the title and the responsibilities that come with it in 1975.

Deneron and the new band councillors will have their work cut out for them over their three-year term as they continue negotiations and try to increase community involvement and understanding in the process.

ADK may no longer be part of Dehcho First Nations and the Dehcho Process but it is still part of the Deh Cho region.

The First Nation chose a path that was controversial three years ago when it broke away, and it still is today.

ADK, however, should be wished every success in its continuing negotiations.

The community's success and strength will only serve to contribute to the region's overall developing prosperity.

Inuvialuit and Gwich'in youth have incredible opportunities to participate in on-the-land camps this summer.

Inuvialuit youth are currently out whaling by Kendel Island, surely a unique experience that puts them in touch with their traditional roots. Later on in the summer, they'll have the chance to go fishing and berry picking.

Gwich'in youth will take 20 days to canoe from Ogilvie River to Fort McPherson. Again, what an amazing opportunity for them to paddle the river like their ancestors. Unfortunately, it will also include a three-day portage, also like their ancestors, but you know they will enjoy it after the fact; bragging rights and all that.

The curious thing is that while many youth were interested in the beginning, a few have dropped out because they got summer jobs. Understandable. Cash is a much-needed commodity at any age. For youth, the excitement of making your own can't be beat.

The thing that's kind of ironic is that adults, too, have trouble getting time out on the land. The nine to five, Monday to Friday grind doesn't leave a lot of time for packing the boat and heading out for weeks at a time to explore the land or go fishing and hunting. In the winter, costs are even higher.

It's the balance between traditional and modern that people are struggling to find. How do you continue to live in the way your grandparents did, while still enjoying the perks of modern life? Maybe its by taking advantage of these trips, volunteering to help out on them or even just going on them.

While residential schools tried to get rid of these traditions, schools now are working traditional knowledge into the curriculum, which will hopefully give students an idea on how to grow up with this balance of tradition and making a living.

Chief Jimmy Bruneau had a philosophy, that to succeed in the new world, his people must be strong like two people. The Dene have taken this to mean that to succeed in the current world, indigenous people must live with one foot firmly grounded in each world, western culture and their ancestors' culture.

If a person succeeds in straddling these two worlds, they can be the strongest person around. Hopefully these summer camps and school programs can give youth the strength to believe and succeed in both.

Information has surfaced yet again that sterilization equipment at Stanton Territorial Hospital is not working properly, forcing the cancellation of elective surgeries in the city.

That was also the situation six months ago where non-emergency surgeries were called off for nearly 60 days.

On both occasions the information was brought to the public's attention through the complaints of patients and not by the Department of Health and Social Services.

Even under a different minister, this time Michael Miltenberger - former health czar Sandy Lee was not known for being forthcoming - the department still keeps information close to its chest; information that many Yellowknifers and others across the territory would like to know.

Last year, about 30 per cent of all surgeries were considered emergencies, the only type of surgery currently being offered at the hospital. From January to April, more than 200 elective surgeries were cancelled. Numbers for this troubled stretch are still being compiled, and the date for the resumption of all surgeries is still unknown.

The department, to its credit, is attempting to care for as many individuals in serious need as possible and has had technicians come in to diagnose the technical issues with the equipment. The sterilization machines are used for necessary surgeries as well as the general running of the facility.

However, remaining tight-lipped about information until the complaints begin to rumble contaminates the department's reputation and makes it appear that it was attempting to keep the problem under wraps. It's little wonder that strategy angered Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy, who was caught off guard when one of his constituents informed him the sterilization problem has returned.

Although our health care system is as good as anywhere in the country - and public critiques help ensure that it remains top quality - the department's repeated choice to limit information until its hand is forced only weakens its public image.

Last week's story about songbirds along the Ingraham Trail being "pureed" by a Department of Transportation mower clearing brush is sad, but hardly surprising.

Wherever people live, and thrive, they run up against nature, even here in the vast North.

In this instance it's a case of "us" versus "them" - the safety of people driving on the territory's highways versus the fate of songbird species that have adapted to nesting in the roadside brush.

Naturalist Jamie Bastedo wants the department to push forward its timetable for clearing shrubbery until the chicks can fly.

For its part, the department should be commended for saying it'll try to do just that - examine whether it can postpone clearing work until later in the summer, "without compromising (human) safety." Transportation officials should follow through on that pledge, even though the department was not responsive when the same concern was raised in the past, according to Bastedo.

At the end of the day, what it comes down to - at least until more is known about the birds' behaviour and whether there is any other feasible solution - is human safety taking precedence.

With the Qulliq Energy Corp. (QEC) being under fire again this past week, another plug is needed to stop the latest gusher of bad publicity bursting through the Government of Nunavut (GN) dam.

Although the RCMP investigation concluded QEC president Peter Mackey and/or lines supervisor Grant Penney did nothing wrong at their Iqaluit duplex (Mackey lives on one side and Penney the other), it became the latest case of powerful people becoming just a little too comfortable in their positions.

The RCMP concluded this was simply a case of QEC dropping off used utility poles, as can be availed by any Iqaluit resident, but it still has a poignant aroma.

And that foul smell emanates from the ever-widening gap between regular folks and Nunavut's upper crust of society.

Perception is often more powerful than reality, and it appears time to bring the understanding of those who occupy a Nunavut penthouse down a little closer to where the rest of us live.

We have no problem with the fact whoever received the poles did nothing more, or less, than any citizen has the right to do. The problem is, when you're a corporate head or a government minister, premier, head of a regional Inuit association, a high-ranking-management type, or among the top executives at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., you're not just like everyone else.

Your actions are on public display and, when you stop caring about that, the arrogance kicks in and trouble is soon to follow.

Although everything was proven to be above-board, as claimed by the QEC and those involved from the onset, a simple public announcement before the poles were delivered would have avoided the whole mess. A little acceptance of not being above public scrutiny combined with a few minutes of effort and you're done. No muss, no fuss, and no police investigation.

The silence from the GN in the early going of this matter (except for a brief release stating they only did what anyone else can do), is simply typical. It's become the standard tack when Northern media have questions about anything other than the latest, and greatest, GN initiative to improve our quality of life.

In fact, it's one of the few truly transparent actions of this government when these types of situations arise:

(A) Stay quiet while others do the work.

(B) Get rid of anyone found guilty (a list stretching from Arviat to Iglulik and points in between since 1999) and act sanctimonious about it all.

(C) If all are exonerated, break the silence and launch a verbal tirade against the unjust accuser.

(D) Carry on as usual with no further thought to perception or accountability.

Our leaders and top corporate executives should realize every month, when they're excited by the latest pay deposit into their bank accounts, they're not just like everyone else.

But those big numbers should also carry a sense of responsibility and dedication, as well as bearing testament to the receiver's intelligence and effectiveness.

When they start feeding egos, I am ruler of all I survey takes root and a little effort in the name of common sense evaporates.

And that's when police investigations begin.

Painful memories stay with a person for a lifetime.

Dealing with those memories can affect a person in many ways, some of which are unhealthy and even self-destructive.

In the case of residential schools, the horrors that caused the unbearable memories for aboriginal people across the North and the nation were beyond their control, inflicted by people of authority and power. Such oppression results in feelings of hopelessness and distrust; it makes it impossible to seek help from a system that embodies those responsible for the abuses.

In 2008, the Canadian government took the first step toward lifting the oppression caused by residential schools. Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a public apology for Canada's role in the residential school era.

Most importantly, through Harper's statement, the government admitted the arrogance that formed the policies of residential schools and contributed to the horrific treatment of many aboriginal children "was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country."

Words can be powerful and that step of validating First Nations people in their belief that those in authority were wrong opened the door for the healing process to begin.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mission to collect and record the sad and terrible stories of humiliation, abuse and cultural genocide perpetrated by the people working at residential schools was an essential next step.

Publicly documenting the stories demonstrates our nation's further acknowledgement of its contrition. It is also a promise to give restitution to the generations who were hurt either by residential schools or the legacy of those institutions.

The commission's national event in Inuvik, held June 28 to July 1, was a culmination of its work in the North; thousands of stories were heard leading up to and during the event. Opportunities to re-unite with old friends, meet new ones and share in events helped add some lightheartedness to an otherwise sombre affair.

With the national event concluded, Canada's responsibility to residential school survivors is not anywhere near its end. The national event was not a cure-all, wiping away the pain caused by the residential schools, nor did it restore the cultural degradation and lost parenting skills that came as a result.

Community programs designed to continue the healing process and restore aboriginal culture, language and identity are essential to help undo the damages.

Unfortunately, residential schools have forever scarred the hearts and minds of First Nations people as much as they have scarred the reputation and pride of our nation. Together we must keep working to rebuild trust and restore as much as possible of what Canada stole from its first people.

A poorly marked buoy, an object designed to enhance safety, can actually be a killer.

This was the case when conservation officer Seeglook Akeeagok, 55, died in a boating accident in Iqaluit harbour on Nov. 5, 2010. As darkness fell, the eight-metre aluminum vessel he was riding in slammed into a buoy -- about three metres in length, rusty brown in colour and without a beacon.

"It's a hazard all year round," RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak, who frequently goes boating himself, said shortly after the incident.

Members of Iqaluit's boating community expressed concern about the years of neglect that allowed the buoy to fall into disrepair.

Mooring buoys must have a yellow light and yellow reflective material, according to federal regulations. Why was that not the case for the buoy in question?

Part of the problem lies with having two federal bodies responsible for the water safety markers. Transport Canada looks after private buoy regulations while the Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for federally-regulated buoys.

On the surface, that seems clear-cut enough but there's obviously still some confusion.

The buoy that was involved in Akeeagok's fatal accident has been removed.

While a properly marked buoy may still be needed in that area, at least the hazardous one is gone, no matter who took it away.

Transport Canada said it has taken the lead role in determining who owns the remaining buoys in the harbour.

Really? Neither of the two organizations responsible for monitoring buoys is sure who owns the existing markers?

That's not good.

Furthermore, a Transport Canada official said four of the five buoys remaining in the harbour have been marked with reflective tape.

What about the fifth buoy?

What about lights, which are required by law and would make the floating objects much easier to see?

What about consultation with boaters in Iqaluit? Why haven't officials from Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard held public meetings explaining their roles and what action has been taken since last year's accident?

In the absence of full accountability to the public, the agencies will continue to appear to have dropped the ball and still be scrambling to get their respective houses in order, even several months after the fatal incident that killed Akeeagok.

They must do better than that.

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