Decision in a vacuum Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, March 27, 2015
If comments from the De Beers diamond company are to be taken at face value, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board's pending decision on the company's proposed water licence amendment will determine the fate of the Snap Lake diamond mine.
At stake are two things. The board has to balance water quality at Snap Lake, and downstream through the entire watershed, against the fiscal reality of the danger that a major Northern employer and driver of economic productivity may shut up shop if it is unable to gain the water licence amendment.
Since going into commercial production at Snap Lake in 2008, De Beers has discovered that managing groundwater seepage into mine works means the company must pump out more water than anticipated. That groundwater seepage is high in mineral salts which are then carried into Snap Lake.
To operate the mine, De Beers needs to essentially triple the amount of salty discharge it is permitted to put into the lake.
Living with the legacy of environmental mismanagement at Giant Mine and Colomac contributes to a knee-jerk skepticism when it comes to an application like this. On the surface, it sounds like De Beers is simply asking to pollute beyond regulated limits but it's not as simple as that.
There are no baseline environmental standards for acceptable levels of discharged salts into lake water. According to De Beers, the discharge would not harm fish or make the water unsafe to drink, although it would change the taste of the water during mine life and for several years afterward.
Setting revised standards for groundwater discharge into Snap Lake and monitoring the effect of that will likely be an ongoing effort between De Beers and the land and water board.
The days of Giant Mine are hopefully behind us. It is reasonable to predict the water board will make a decision that protects the environment from significant, irreversible harm. But why is the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board in a position where it must make a far-reaching environmental decision without well-established baseline references?
Underground mining is not a novel concept. The territorial government should have baseline data on hand regarding acceptable levels of discharged salts from mining operations, or any other easily anticipated concern.
Asking the water board and an industrial proponent to come up with operational standards while in the middle of an active mining operation puts all involved in an almost impossible position.
Don't go overboard with governance review Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, March 27, 2015
With the days getting longer and the snow beginning to melt Yellowknifers are preparing themselves for the inevitable shoveling of dog poop, car washes and trips to the dump to get rid of unwanted furniture that come with the arrival of spring.
Not wanting to be left out of the spirit of the season, last week Mayor Mark Heyck announced the city will be taking care of some housekeeping of its own by commissioning a $75,000 governance review of its operations.
The review will take a look at the territorial government legislation that forms the legal authority of the city, the city's procedures for meetings, election bylaws, the code of conduct and its acceptance-of-gifts policy.
Heyck, who has been pushing for the review since he was elected, said it is long overdue. He is right in that respect. There have been several instances during the current term where the city has reached out to the territorial government for assistance - whether it's requesting to rejig its mill rates after surprising Kam Lake residents with a massive tax increase or asking for land to develop - only to be met with resistance and malaise. Certainly, having council and administration being more aware of their responsibilities and limitations is a good thing, especially with regard to its relationship with the GNWT.
Where the review risks over-stepping its bounds is with the mayor's proposal that the city should bolster its "outdated code of conduct" for city council. Heyck said the current code, which is is so old that it was drafted on a typewriter, is "wishy-washy" and that it could benefit from "stronger language" to ensure there is an environment of respect at city hall.
Although councillors should uphold a certain standard of decorum in their interactions with each other and administration, the expectation of mutual respect should not prevent them from speaking their minds.
Council should not have to fear from tightened "behaviour" rules that risk chilling debate. What should not go overlooked during this review is that city councillors are not city employees - they represent citizens, not city hall.
Boosting languagesDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, March 26, 2015
The role language plays in our world is incalculable. Without it we wouldn't be able to share history, express how we feel or share our feelings or opinions about any given issue effecting our community or the world around us.
Indeed, it would be a different world without it. And for many aboriginal people across Canada, there is a terrifying reality that the spoken languages which have shaped First Nations people for centuries, could someday, fall dormant.
Dahti Tsetso is hesitant to say South Slavey is dying or needs to be revitalized, despite the name of the program she's in to learn the language. The Aboriginal Language Revitalization Program, offered by the University of Victoria and in partnership with the Dehcho First Nation, the region's education council and Fort Providence, is giving the young mother of two the chance to wake a sleeping giant.
The language, she said, will never die. Despite her limited knowledge of South Slavey, when she began the program to become a fluent speaker, something awoke. The exposure to it she had while growing up planted the seed of the language in her. It lay dormant, and is now awake in her.
The reality is, however, fewer people are speaking the language than ever before. Government statistics on language show a 20 per cent drop in use over the last 20 years in the region. Having more than half the speakers older than 50 indicates younger generations, who may speak the language with limited ability, aren't taking it up as a regular form of communication.
The program has 17 students, the vast majority of students from the Dehcho, who are immersed in the language with the goal of becoming fluent speakers. Students are to speak it as much as possible and are told to refrain from using English at all when they're stuck, having been taught survival phrases to help them grasp the language better when they may not know what something is.
Preparing students to speak the language does more than just strengthen its presence in the communities. With a number of language instructors in the school system nearing retirement, the program is training the next wave of South Slavey speakers to carry on the work being done by current language instructors in the classroom.
Not only does it connect young people to the language, an integral and important part of having the strongest connect to tradition and heritage possible, it also bridges a growing gap between younger generations and elders. Having a number of elders who speak only South Slavey helps to build a stronger, more culturally-driven community.
Because of the program, Tsetso is hopeful she'll be able to carry on the language and pass it on to her children when they get older. This, in itself, speaks volumes to the importance of this program in the Dehcho.
Highway delays to be expectedInuvik Drum - Thursday, March 26, 2015
If the slow progress being made on the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway isn't enough to make you feel a twinge of sympathy for the companies constructing it, perhaps the reality of their task will.
There's an argument to be made that the GNWT and project consultants were overly ambitious with their estimates on how many kilometres of highway could be completed on a year-to-year basis.
Those estimates suggested that the highway, being constructed simultaneously from the north and south ends at Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, should cover 20 km of ground from both ends. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?
It becomes less reasonable when you stop and think that the Inuvik end likely rises some 200 feet or more above sea level, in topography that has never been built on anywhere else.
That's why the general public should, at least temporarily, stifle the urge to let out a roar of frustration that from the Inuvik side only two of the 20 km that were estimated for the second season have been completed.
That's on top of the fact that 12 of the 20 km expected last year were finished.
Yes, only 14 of the 40 km predicted for this point have been covered. That's disappointing at face value, but it's clear the predictions issued by the GNWT and its project managers were overly optimistic and didn't take into full account the logistical difficulties of constructing the south end of the highway.
It's difficult to say how much political spin was put into those estimates. Undoubtedly, the government and its staff were under considerable political pressure to put forward a schedule that seemed palatable to the public, where some serious questioning of the cost of the project was taking place.
If the government was aware the schedule was unlikely to be met but didn't amend it, it's almost like the construction companies were set up to fail and take the heat.
If the government didn't fully appreciate the enormous difficulties of building the road through the region north of Inuvik, after all of the preparation work and studies, that's a bit inexplicable too.
Nevertheless, the GNWT is putting on a brave face when it comes to the project, and painting an optimistic outlook that many taxpayers won't share.
Only time will tell if the highway opens on time and on budget.
At this point, concern and scepticism from the public is more than understandable.
Power options on the tableYellowknifer - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A month-long shutdown to fix one of Snare Hydro's turbines shows yet again that without an overhaul of the territory's woefully inadequate power system the NWT is doomed to skyrocketing energy costs with no hope of lowering them.
The increased diesel usage while one of the hydro plant's turbines was being repaired - about $1.15 million worth - is on top of the $20 million of diesel NWT Power Corporation is expected to burn to make up for the lack of hydro production spurned on by last summer's drought.
The GNWT bailed out ratepayers on the $20 million, which would have added 13 per cent to power bills in the territory, but with the government squeezed at the top of its $800 million debt ceiling it only has so many options left before the costs are offloaded on ordinary power consumers.
It's worth pointing out yet again, that all this burning of dirty diesel - about the same amount that goes up in smoke every day in New Delhi, India - is tarnishing the green bona fides so carefully cultivated by city hall and the GNWT. What's the point of installing wood pellet boilers and LED lights everywhere if the government is just going to clog the air up with toxic diesel fumes so everyone can have electricity?
The GNWT recently announced it is absorbing NT Energy - the government-owned energy planning corporation - and the energy planning division with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and consolidating them into one division under the Department of Public Works.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins says he believes this will lead to greater efficiencies in locating and exploiting alternative energy sources.
We certainly hope so because while other jurisdictions -- including Diavik Diamond Mine, which has erected windmills to help offset its diesel costs - are exploring wind power, solar power and geothermal, the territory continues to have almost of its marbles in diesel and hydro - both of which are becoming prohibitively expensive to run.
The time to diversify the territory's energy portfolio is now. Without alternative energy sources and options, power bills will continue rise, along with the exodus of people
Niven needs a safe walkYellowknifer - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A safety issue is raised. The City of Yellowknife and the territorial government battle it out over who should pay to fix the problem. The idea is mothballed. Every so often, someone raises the issue but nothing gets done. It feels like deja vu.
One could be talking about the safety concerns associated with the stretch of road from 49 Avenue to Niven Gate on Highway 4, which Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley pointed out in the legislative assembly has no sidewalk for pedestrians.
Or one could be talking about water safety for the beach on Long Lake.
Eventually, the water safety concern got a response. But it took a child's death to make it happen.
Hopefully, that won't be the case with the walkway but it very well could be. Without a proper sidewalk, how long will it before someone is struck by a vehicle and killed? Were that to happen, the responsibility would lie with those who were unable to find a solution -- namely the city and the GNWT.
This isn't the first time the issue has been raised.
Ecology North brought the matter to light last May when it called on Niven residents to pressure the GNWT and the city to make the roadway a safer option for pedestrians. Let's call that fair warning. At the time, Coun. Phil Moon Son said he'd be willing to go along with the idea of having the city take over the stretch of road if GNWT funding could be arranged to maintain it.
Almost a year later, it looks like we're still at that point. The territory wants to unload this road onto the city. The city doesn't want to take on the liability.
And so they are at an impasse.
Here's what seems fair: the territory and the city should work out an agreement where they share the cost of a solution that sees a safer option for pedestrians walking down that stretch of road. The GNWT foot the bill for two thirds the cost. The GNWT has the larger budget so it can handle the larger share. This seems fitting considering the legislative assembly's proximity to the road. The city can pay a third and take over maintenance from therein.
That still leaves some issues up for discussion, such as whether a bike lane and pedestrian overpass is needed too, but getting the GNWT and city to agree on at least a sidewalk would seem a major success at this point.
Time to back a different kind of teamEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
My conversation with an Arviat teacher was thought provoking this past week.
I was struck by Gord Billard's contention that it may be time for the sport and recreation division (formerly Sport Nunavut) to expand its scope to include the precious few performing art troupes we have in Nunavut.
I smiled when Billard referred to the young thespians as the "drama team," trying to wedge his foot into the door of a funding source currently out of reach.
Sadly, I was not at all surprised to hear him lament the fact there is next to nowhere to turn to secure funding for a performing arts group to take its production on the road.
Art funding has been taking hit after hit across this great nation for awhile now.
It's time that changes, especially here in the Kivalliq.
I've seen and written about the effect the Missoula Children's Theatre has on youths when it makes its annual sojourn to the Kivalliq.
And I've long admired the work done by the Arviat Drama Club based out of John Arnalukjuak High School, especially since the club began tackling issue plays a few years back.
In his conversation with me, Billard acknowledged the studies and various projects aimed at reducing the number of suicides we suffer in our region each and every year.
He also noted their general ineffectiveness in lowering that number.
Youth, especially teenagers, tend to relate to one another in ways the professional world often sees, but fails to successfully access.
Talking to one another through art - whether music, visual or the spoken word - can be a powerful vehicle of communication and illumination for youths when delivered properly.
Issue plays have the enviable ability of being able to have their message wrapped with humour and drama.
They entertain, as well as inform and promote dialogue when properly directed and presented.
And, with Billard at the helm, I don't see proper presentation posing any threat to the production's message.
There are many youths across the Kivalliq whose names pop up no matter what the activity seems to be.
The young female excelling in the cadet program, is also excelling at soccer, taking a lead role in a community art project and signing up for Northern Youth Abroad, Students on Ice or the Canadian World Youth program.
Many others in the region excel at volleyball, traditional sports and hockey, reaping the benefits to their personal development these sports deliver.
But not all children excel at sports, or are into them for that matter, and a vibrant arts scene is a way for a number of these youths to spread their wings and express themselves.
Promoting performance art and getting some of these kids "on the road" would be an effective way of bringing the youth of our region together to share ideas and to realize that although they live in different communities, they share many similarities in their lives.
It could even lead to a united front in tackling some of the monsters we have been unable to slay in the Kivalliq, such as suicide.
That sure sounds like a "team" to get behind to me!
Dehcho tumult business as usualNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, March 23, 2015
Settling land claims and striking a form of self-government is a high stakes game.
Tens of thousands of square kilometres, millions of dollars worth of subsurface royalties and access to the Mackenzie Valley corridor are on the table. After close to 15 years of negotiations the territorial government and Dehcho First Nations have found themselves in a very public impasse. The territorial government is offering 37,500 square kilometres and 17.78 per cent of subsurface royalties and Dehcho First Nations has responded that they will accept nothing less than 50,000 square kilometres of land.
Premier Bob McLeod maintains his position that the government's offer is "the best in the history of the NWT, if not Canada." Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, on the other hand, says the government is not only failing in its constitutional duty to negotiate in good faith with the First Nation, but accusing it of using "bullying" tactics. The revelation of a letter to Norwegian from McLeod contradicting the premier's steadfast denial that the GNWT has threatened to walk away from the negotiating table throws more fuel on the fire.
It all looks mighty ugly from the sidelines, but leaders in this territory have a long and storied history of hard-fought negotiations that have led to innovative bilateral agreements.
Consider how long it took Deline's chief negotiator, Danny Gaudet, to strike the deal that would create what he has called the most comprehensive indigenous self-governing system in the history of Canada. It took 19 years of negotiations, a path that no doubt included some degree of struggle and compromise. But it is from this struggle and compromise that the First Nation has won the right to start allocating income tax and GST toward made-in-Deline social programming. This means the band will no longer be reliant on federal core band funding, which was cut last year to $140,000 from $325,000 annually.
Over in the Tlicho, it took almost two decades to settle land claims but today the First Nation is financially strong and delivering programs to its members.
The territorial government itself has only in the past year realized the dream of devolution over resources and land after negotiations began in 2001.
Since then, Tlicho and Sahtu leaders have questioned the constitutionality of an aspect of this agreement and have taken the federal government to court. Earlier this month, NWT Supreme Court Justice Karan Shaner sided with the Tlicho by halting the implementation of a pan-territorial land and water board, which would have dissolved the First Nation's regional Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board. The Tlicho is fighting to save its land and water board which is, of course, one of the fruits of the previously-mentioned Tlicho Agreement.
Back in the Deh Cho, the grand chief is merely following a tradition forged by a number of predecessors, including McLeod himself.
The public slinging of threats over the past few months seems ugly but at least both sides have put their stance on the table so Dehcho First Nations band members and NWT citizens can bend their leaders' ear. It's the best chance each side has to achieve the best possible outcome for the people they represent.
Consider teaching Inuit culture to outsiders at Nunavut universityNunavut/News North - Monday, March 23, 2015
It is interesting to note that Education Minister Paul Quassa reignited interest in a university in Nunavut at the same time Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Ottawa announced they had reached a tentative agreement on a 10-year-old, $1-billion lawsuit over the federal government failing to meet its obligations under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
A portion of the lawsuit and discussion has been Ottawa's failure to meet requirements in Article 23, which calls for a minimum percentage of Inuit to be employed by the Government of Nunavut, a goal easier to say than achieve. In 2005, Government-appointed conciliator Thomas Berger observed a situation that continues to some extent to the present day, that "the problem is not on the demand side of the equation. The Government of Nunavut has strived mightily to provide opportunities for virtually all qualified Inuit. The problem is that the supply of qualified Inuit is exhausted."
That in itself justifies the need for a university in Nunavut, to provide a place in the territory for high school graduates to naturally progress, to give them a place to aspire, a made-in-Nunavut solution.
Quassa, who is also the minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, has asked a number of organizations and two existing universities to prepare an options paper for cabinet in time for consideration before the spring session, so that there can be an announcement of some magnitude.
On the table are a "stand-alone university, a university college, a pan-territorial university, an Inuit Nunangat university, or some combination of those."
There is already $5 million in seed money for the bricks-and-mortar construction of a university promised by the mining giant Agnico Eagle.
Quassa's announcement in the legislative assembly gets the ball rolling and the NTI-Ottawa lawsuit serves to demonstrate the need and the success of Nunavut Arctic College's teacher education and nursing programs shows it can be done.
A workshop later this month will involve representatives of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Laval University and Carleton University.
The two outside players can provide a unique perspective on Nunavut, its unique location and climate, and how other universities have tailored their programs to attract students.
Perhaps among the considerations could be the potential development of a Northern Studies curriculum, the sharing of traditional knowledge handed down through generations of Inuit and program offerings that would be attractive to students from across Canada and throughout the world.
Many universities offer a unique experience to students based on their environment, culture and history.
Nunavut has much to offer in that regard, as long as there is sufficient infrastructure to provide services and accommodation.
Just as there is not a large enough educated population to meet the employment needs of the government of Nunavut, there likely aren't enough high school graduates in Nunavut to fill a university.
Looking outside the territory, while protecting Inuit culture and values, must be a consideration.
