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The Minister's Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness wrapped up its tour in all regions of the NWT this spring, speaking to the public and gathering advice about how the Department of Heath and Social Services should combat addictions.

This is because what is currently being implemented isn't getting the desired results.

Change is needed, a movement to more traditional methods of healing, not more of the same. Developing more treatment centres such as the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre on the K'atlodeeche First Nation Reserve near Hay River - which offers addiction awareness programs based on aboriginal values - was one consideration brought forward by NWT residents to the 13-member forum.

While it is well-funded and well-executed, it is not suited to the needs of the 30 communities with substance-abuse issues.

It has a vacancy rate hovering around 50 per cent, presenting an illusion that addiction is not, in fact, ripping families apart in the territory.

In reality, it is not culturally-relevant to a diverse territory, and also, not everyone wants to face their demons surrounded by the walls of the treatment centre.

Allowing people to heal away from the draw of the liquor stores and bootleggers, bringing them back to their traditional roots through community-operated on-the-land programs, holds more value.

Elders help out on the land, leading participants through treks, stories, meal, games, dances and prayers.

They are not compensated for their work, which is something the forum is recommending the health minister consider. These elders do not fit the mould of the academic world but many of them hold knowledge equivalent to or more than that of any degree.

There is currently no value in place for services offered by elders, which is at odds with efforts to strengthen the culture. Elders' skills hold considerable value and paying them for the important work they do is not only fair it shows the people of the NWT that their traditional knowledge has worth.

The forum members have presented their report of recommendations to the health minister. The people of the NWT were asked for their collective knowledge about addictions and the most effective way to prevent these diseases. The people have spoken. It is now time to act. This report must not be allowed to collect dust on a shelf.

James Van Camp is reportedly the first person of Tlicho heritage to become a medical doctor. The 31-year-old from Fort Smith recently graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta and started his residency in rural family medicine in Grande Prairie, Alta.

This is a triumph for Van Camp and the entire NWT. With his strong connection to the North and to his aboriginal culture, Van Camp's goal that he will return to the North to practise medicine will benefit the people of this territory.

Van Camp was candid explaining how he did not always pass tests in school, but that his parents instilled the importance of a good education in him and his siblings. He is a role model to aboriginal youth of what can be achieved when you put your mind to something, no matter how arduous the road to success.

There is a severe shortage of aboriginal physicians in the North, coupled with the fact that aboriginal people's health is historically poorer than other Canadians. Hopefully Van Camp's story will not sit on its own, but be followed by other aboriginal residents who garner these critical skills and return home after their training is complete to care for the people of the NWT.

As Canada Day celebrations are held from coast to coast to coast today, no where is there more reason to feel hope and pride than in Nunavut.

Nunavummiut are poised to recognize the 14th birthday of the formation of the territory during Nunavut Day, on July 9. The amount of progress that has been made since division from the Northwest Territories is simply extraordinary. There are many people who have played significant roles in the development of Nunavut as the land of the Inuit people.

Each of its regions has its own strengths and unique contributions to the territory as a whole. There is a solid mix of traditional hunting, fishing and trapping activities, along with more modern ventures, including a healthy mining, construction, exploration and arts and crafts industries and a robust civil service, which employs hundreds of people in branches of the territorial and federal governments. Although there is still work needed to meet the government employment goals enshrined in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, progress has been made and must continue to be made.

The creation of Nunavut marked the beginning of autonomy for the Inuit people, an opportunity to manage their own destiny and chart a future filled with prosperity and independence. The result is a plethora of Inuit-owned companies which hold dear the teachings of the elders -- to respect the land, to take only what is needed and to experience and take pride in the result of hard work and perseverance.

There are challenges, without a doubt, related to food security, the incidences of substance abuse which lead to addictions, and the need to adapt to more modern technologies.

However, on the occasion of Canada Day this week and the advent of Nunavut Day next week, it is important for Nunavummiut to pause and take stock of the many accomplishments made with an eye to making the territory even stronger in the future.

It is a time to recognize the unique people and lifestyle of the North, the territory's unique system of self-government, a prosperous economy, its continued growth and development, while respecting its history and traditions.

There is much to celebrate.

Michele Childs' guest comment in Wednesday's Yellowknifer advocating for the licensing of cyclists draws attention to the elephant in the room.

With all the focus this summer on bike lanes and the expansion of multi-use paths in the city, nothing has been said about the responsibilities of cyclists. True, there has been an emotional debate concerning the proposed need for bicycle helmets - spurred by the family of a Yellowknife teen who died last summer in a longboarding accident - but the licensing of cyclists has not been a squeaky wheel with this city council.

Considering that the city is spending $1.5 million over the next three years on "streetscaping" plans, which includes trail development for pedestrians and cyclists, not to mention the pilot project coming next month to paint bicycle lanes on Franklin Avenue from Latham Island to 44 Street, it seems only fitting that such endeavours include a discussion on the rules of the road - and sidewalks. This is particularly important when it comes to children's cycling activities. Safety is the paramount consideration but since taxpayers' money is being used to accommodate cyclists, how these civic improvements could be compensated through licensing fees would also seem to be a worthy point of discussion.

It's difficult to give bicycle registration or cyclist licensing a full-hearted endorsement - not until there has been ample discussion on what is most suitable for Yellowknife. Many cities around North America have tried various forms of licensing but have wound up repealing them. Earlier this year, San Diego, Calif., tossed out its bicycle licensing requirement after concluding that registering all bicycles in the city was practically impossible, and similar to helmet laws, was driving down ridership. One is also left wondering what would happen to the occasional unlicensed visitor ambitious enough to pedal to Yellowknife. Will our bylaw department ticket them?

Still, there are issues to consider, particularly as they pertain to Yellowknife. For example, should children, if supervised, be allowed to ride their bicycles on our sidewalks? Should riders undergo competency tests? Many cyclists, particularly children, are observed breaking the rules of the road on a daily basis but cyclists in this city are rarely penalized.

These are all things worth considering as Yellowknife begins setting aside parts of the street for cyclists.

For more than half a century, the Association for Community Living has supported children, youth, and adults with intellectual and other disabilities and their families to achieve independence. The organization assists clients as they pursue productive employment and participate in daily activities alongside their fellow Yellowknifers.

Before the association was established in 1962, many young people with intellectual disabilities were sent south for special needs education, often with their families in tow. Today, clients of all ages participate in job skills and entrepreneurial training, study as part of a literacy program in conjunction with Aurora College, seek independence with help from supported living services, and take part in other personal development opportunities.

Families caring for people with special needs are offered respite support and clients demonstrate their abilities every day by working in a wide variety of jobs.

The association's clients feed and serve diners every year at the popular Abe Miller Summer Cafe, inform residents of coming events by distributing posters as part of a paid poster service, and work hard to contribute to life in Yellowknife.

The association celebrated its milestone anniversary earlier this month with a day-long block party on 53 Street, on June 14. True to its philosophy of inclusion, the association invited everyone to come out to join in the party.

Now that the festive hullabaloo has passed, residents and business owners should continue to remember the work the association and its clients do in this community every day.

For the span of a weekend, Fort Simpson made a significant link with its past.

Liidlii Kue First Nation's first traditional spring gathering from June 21 to 23 reflected a time when the community was a gathering place for people throughout the area. People used to arrive in the spring to celebrate surviving another winter on the trap line and to honour those who didn't.

There are few trappers these days, but just as many people who enjoy gathering together, visiting, watching and participating in a variety of events. By all accounts, the gathering was a marked success. Many Fort Simpson residents took in the activities and the handgames tournament drew in 14 teams including some from as far away as Alberta and the Yukon.

Liidlii Kue First Nation plans to make the gathering an annual event and to add a similar gathering in the fall. Both will be valuable to the community.

Jerry Antoine, a Fort Simpson resident, said the traditions of the Dene people have never been lost. However, they have not always been as strong or prominent as they once were.

Gatherings similar to this one, are extremely important teaching tools. They offer a chance to revive Dene traditions and introduce them to younger generations.

The tea dance on the evening of June 21 was a prime example. It was requested that a traditional tea dance be held before the drum dance. Liidlii Kue First Nation's Chief Minnie Letcher provided a brief explanation for those who had never seen a tea dance before.

The handgames tournament also offered learning opportunities as some young men got their first introduction to a large tournament setting and the call signs used in different communities.

In addition to the cultural benefits, there is also a more modern, economic benefit that derives from holding large gatherings.

People who travel to events need places to stay, things to eat and gas to return to their home communities. Gatherings can become tourist draws and have significant spin-off economic benefits for local businesses.

This was only the first year for the gathering, but already it was well attended. As it becomes an annual event, numbers will likely grow and Fort Simpson will once again be a place to gather and celebrate together.

It's a jungle out there.

To my eternal surprise, my garden plot in the Inuvik Community Greenhouse is proving to be quite the survivor.

Not only are the varied vegetables alive and resisting my black thumb of doom, they're thriving to an embarrassing degree. I say embarrassing because now I have the unenviable task of remembering exactly what I planted, identifying the plants, weeding if necessary, and then harvesting.

Luckily, at least I knew enough to plant the seeds in rough rows, which at least means there will be some consistency in what's there.

So it looks like I should have a good first harvest of lettuce, spinach, beans, radishes and so on.

The greenhouse is an amazing project, even with the organization in a little bit of turmoil at the moment with the unexpected departure of co-ordinator Geoff Johnson. The board is trying to sort out how to proceed for the rest of the season without any full-time help.

I find it interesting that there were leftover plots by the end of May when the advantages of joining are fairly obvious. Yes, you could argue the cost of joining is a little excessive, I suppose. The basic cost is that members pay $75 a year for the plot, and have to put in 15 hours of volunteer labour.

However, if you know what you're doing (which excludes me), you can grow approximately $1,000 worth of produce in the greenhouse during the season. That makes it worthwhile right there.

There are definitely ways the greenhouse could improve as an organization. I've been surprised that some form of semi-formal mentoring program hasn't been implemented, where experienced members can earn their volunteer hours by working with the newbies.

Or, equally beneficial, the board could adopt some better marketing strategies. From several conversations, I know a lot of people aren't well informed about the greenhouse. Considering some of those involved spend time in their working hours doing marketing, that's a huge surprise and an indication perhaps the board needs to focus on its objectives more sharply.

Other people view the greenhouse as an elitist project that could be used to grow food for the entire town. There's a certain merit to that idea as well, but at least the current configuration rewards people for showing an interest in ambition and self-sufficiency.

So are there things the greenhouse can do better? Certainly. That's no excuse, though, for not taking advantage of an opportunity to do something for yourself instead of just grumbling about the cost of Northern food.

Our government's apparent choice to spend the lion's share of $100,000 of taxpayer money on a party for VIPs demonstrates a startling and sudden shift away from the accountable, people-friendly image the GNWT has for so long purported.

Now, it is not our intention to be party poopers by saying this.

It was only 20 years ago that our territorial government found itself a permanent home in the NWT legislative assembly, and that anniversary is definitely cause for celebration.

Coming up to its final mortgage payment on the legislative assembly building, the GNWT is taking $400,000 in surplus investment returns on bonds used to pay for the building and using three-quarters of these funds to improve the grounds of the building.

Is it appropriate to use some of that money to create better signage so visitors and Yellowknifers can find the legislature more easily? Absolutely. However, with $100,000 budgeted for new signage, they had better be some eye-catching signs.

The best use of this surplus money is the $200,000 earmarked to improve public park space near the legislature. The goal is to create a space for outdoor public events, such as fire-feeding ceremonies.

Yellowknifer was told enhancing the waterfront park on Frame Lake - which is currently little more than a gazebo - came from the idea that the legislative assembly is a building for the people. Again, we absolutely agree. What better way to spend a surplus from a public investment than on a public park?

However, the $100,000 set aside for the 20th anniversary party should raise eyebrows around the city.

To be fair, the schedule for this coming September's festivities includes a public event in the Great Hall of the legislature. However, with $70,000 to be spent on flying former premiers, clerks and speakers to Yk, and with what appears to be private gala planned at the Explorer Hotel, we question just how much the public will be able to benefit from this $100,000.

Our government brands itself as an "everyman government," where people can go to the grocery store and rub elbows with the premier or their MLA. If MLAs want to throw a party with public funds - which in itself is questionable given our crumbling infrastructure, unsolved social problems and health care concerns - the public had better be invited.

In the last 20 years, our government has gone from homeless, with very little real power to enact changes without the approval of their big brothers in Ottawa, to a legitimate governing body.

Now that it is has made it into the big leagues, our legislature seems to be undergoing a bit of an identity crisis.

Will our elected officials continue to hold themselves to a higher standard of public accountability, or do they now see themselves as entitled to use our tax money as they see fit?

Only time will tell. Meanwhile, we taxpayers will undoubtedly be throwing ourselves our own parties to beat the heat this summer. And yes, we will be using our own money to pay for them.

The federal government announced plans last week to update legislation to ensure oil companies operating in the Arctic or off the East Coast have greater financial accountability in the event of an offshore oil spill.

Under Canada's current rules, businesses are required to cover the costs associated with a spill if they're found at fault or negligent. There is also a no-fault liability set at $40 million for the Arctic and $30 million for the Atlantic.

The government wants to increase this amount so companies are responsible for $1 billion in cleanup and compensation costs even if they're aren't found to be in error.

The proposed change is a good start but it doesn't go far enough.

Global warming is opening the Arctic up for greater exploration as it continues to alter the area's landscape.

Subsequently, offshore drilling is becoming more of a possibility in the North and Canada needs to ensure local populations and taxpayers aren't left footing the bill for an oil spill.

The costs associated with a large spill are likely to reach far beyond $1 billion. Take the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster for example. BP estimates the incident, which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, will cost the company $40 billion in fines, clean-up costs and settlements.

In the event of a similar spill in Canada, a company wouldn't be required to pay more than the liability limit if they weren't found to be at fault. This means taxpayers would have to bear billions of dollars in costs.

It's clear companies that get into this business need to be held more accountable. Canada should look to Greenland and Norway for guidance on this issue.

Under Norway's laws there is no liability limit, meaning if an oil company has a spill it has to cover all the costs associated - fault or no fault.

Also, in Greenland a company must abide by a $999-million insurance requirement if it is to engage in offshore exploration. And it also has an unlimited absolute liability for oil drilling.

Some may be concerned that policies such as these would discourage companies from getting into the business, or that well-established companies may take their investments elsewhere.

However, history has shown time and time again what happens when government favours industry over people and the environment.

The NWT's Giant Mine is a good example of this.

The mine is one of the most contaminated sites in the country and the government has been left to clean up the mess because Royal Oak Mines Ltd. walked away from it after filing for bankruptcy.

The price tag for the cleanup is an estimated $903 million and rising. On top of that, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation is asking for $75 million in compensation for the contamination of their traditional lands as well as their water.

In short, the federal government needs to step up and protect taxpayers and the environment by increasing the liability limit for oil spills in the Arctic far beyond what it is currently proposing.

Miranda Scotland is interim editor of Kivalliq News while editor Darrell Greer is on vacation.

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