Dark cloud over A New DayYellowknifer - Wednesday, March 29, 2017
This is a tale about a program run through the Department of Justice.
Once upon a time, the department developed a program with help from the Coalition Against Family Violence for men who have issues with family violence. Once the department finished designing the program, The Tree of Peace Friendship Centre took its reins.
Then, the department commissioned an evaluation of A New Day. That evaluation found that while about 80 people had taken part and only 12 had completed it, those who made it through 10 sessions were less likely to re-offend. In order for the program to be successful, the evaluation recommended a continuation of one-on-one counselling sessions and full-time staff support.
After reading the recommendations, Department of Justice officials decided they would abandon the qualities that made the program successful in the first place. They issued a request for proposals for an organization to continue operating A New Day in the future, where instead of one-on-one counselling sessions, bureaucrats decided group sessions will be sufficient, and men who aren't ready to participate in them will be asked to leave.
Department officials have also decided those who facilitate the program need only to be available part-time, and don't need to be "experts" in family violence.
Hay River North MLA R. J. Simpson rightfully blasted this move in legislative assembly March 10, accusing the department of "sterilizing" the program.
"The result appears to be a program stripped of all of the qualities that make it successful," he said.
Simpson is absolutely right. It's common knowledge that this territory is particularly hard hit by domestic violence, and much of these problems stem from complicated inter-generational issues such as colonialism and residential school.
Yes, it costs more to hire professionals to run the program full-time but if there is a moral to this story, it's that if the government is going to do something, it should do it right.
Do the people who made this decision want to start properly investing in preventative domestic violence programs or waste money on a stripped down, ineffective facsimile that is robbed of the qualities that made it work in the first place?
It's a snow castle, not a bouncy castleYellowknifer - Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Yellowknife residents are very lucky. Every March, Old Town resident Anthony Foliot and his crew build a castle out of snow for the community.
In this realm he has designated himself king of the castle. But this king is kindly.
For $5, he lets community members young and old explore the fortress' tunnels, passageways, corridors and other intricacies. Day and night throughout the month, the snow castle is the place to be for live music, dancing, comedy, movie screenings, presentations, storytelling, craft sales, fish fries and even a rave party.
Because the castle is made of snow and ice, it's a slippery place. Its frozen floor is unforgiving and the Dead Man's Slide is fast and steep. The Snowking provides volunteers for safety but the onus remains on visitors to use common sense when inside.
This year's winter festival is over but when next March rolls around, hopefully every visitor has fun
and stays safe when dancing, climbing, sliding and crawling around Yellowknife Bay's temporary winter kingdom.
Understanding shines brightly in natural environmentsEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, March 29, 2017
It was a lot of fun talking with three Naujaat cadets about their experiences in British Columbia this past week.
The laughter coming across my phone was warm and genuine. It was the type of laughter close friends share when a memory is still fresh enough to be revisited simply by speaking it out loud.
Making my conversation with the cadets even more fun was Capt. Lloyd Francis sitting with them and conveying their body language to me over the phone.
I kept hearing the same word again and again every time I asked about an activity they took part in. What did you like most about it? Everything!
Exchange programs have come a long way and, today, they offer incredible opportunities to youth of all ages across this land.
Sometimes, when speaking with a group of youth, big or small, I'll get lucky, as I did a couple of times this past week with the cadets, and the interview or presentation - the official reason why we're communicating - falls by the wayside long enough for us to be just talking.
We're all the same, young or old, when it comes to our comfort zone. When we're comfortable, we relax, we laugh more, we have more fun, we become more attentive to what another person is saying, and we share our thoughts never knowing when they'll make an impact.
One cadet's voice would shiver with excitement any time he spoke about trying to get to as many places and do as many things as he could possibly jam into five days.
I could envision him: a thousand sights, sounds and things to do greeting him every way he turned.
A person can become so overwhelmed by the choices in front of them, they freeze up - sometimes for a few moments, sometimes longer - trying to process the data bombarding their senses to make some sort of supported decision. But it's impossible. The pure volume of the stimuli is such, you can't even be sure which signal you're tuned to.
Suddenly, my cadet friend clues in to a point I made and I hear him say that is weird.
For the next brief moment or two, my young friend is trying to contemplate getting up every day and having almost limitless choices of what to do. But it's an abstract thought for him. It's like you or I contemplating $5 million. We have no idea what that much money is all about, except that it will probably last forever. But, there's a trail of broken lottery winners who didn't really grasp what that kind of money is all about, and it seriously altered the concept of forever.
While my cadet friend, who lives in a little Northern community, tries to figure out what he could do with so many choices, a kid somewhere, born and raised, complains they are bored.
In a few short months, their southern cadet friends will arrive in Naujaat. And, after two or three days, most of them will, for the first time, understand why their new Northern friends were so excited about a swimming pool and a movie. And the time they spent oohing and ahhing over some trees was, in fact, genuine.
Naujaat, for the most part, has a motivated cadet corps with a strong, genuine connection to the traditions of their community. When the cadets talk about fishing and hunting, their pride often shines through like a beacon, and, while they were discussing different activities Capt. Francis and his corps leaders may come up with for the B.C. cadets to enjoy, I'm on board with the cadet who worries ayaya singing may be life in the fast lane for the B.C. cadets, proudly proclaiming that he has absolutely no fear at all of the visitors getting bored, especially while singing or drum dancing.
Now that's a pride in his culture and tradition that a southern cadet has to see in his own natural Northern environment, if he's to have any chance of grasping the concept of loving the land.
Anywhere else, and it becomes abstract in nature to the southern kid, which is why these exchange programs are wonderful vehicles to introduce our youth to each other, and the different parts of this country we call home.
Libs dig deep holeNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, March 27, 2017
So was Budget 2017 good or bad for the Northwest Territories. Depends what you were hoping for from the Liberal government's second financial plan delivered since its 2015 majority government victory.
You see, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau et al were like kids in a candy store the first time around, spending wildly while all hopped up on Trudeaumania.
So this document is very much a stay-the-course creation, undoubtedly in a large part minding what could be happening to the North American economy with U.S. President Donald Trump's new policies.
If people care about Canada's finances - yes, the bank account we'll be leaving our children and grandchildren - then the current deficit projection for 2016-17 of $23-billion, rising to $28.5-billion by 2017-18 before hopefully going down $18.8-billion by 2021-22 is truly frightening.
Remember back in the sunny days of the 2015 federal election campaign when the Liberals repeatedly promised not run deficits greater than $10 billion a year?
In any event, we're sure readers want to know what's in it for the them.
There are actually a few items of interest to the North and to this territory in particular.
Labour Market Transfer Agreements will be expanded for the design and delivery of skills training and employment supports to the tune of additional $2.7 billion over six years across the country.
A new National Trade Corridors Fund will provide $2 billion over 11 years to, in part, look for ways to improve the flow of supplies to northern communities, unlock economic development in Canada's three territories, "and create good, middle class jobs."
While it is spread out over more than a decade, targeted support for Northern housing gets $300 million over the next 11 years, with $36 million to the Northwest Territories.
There is also $29.5 million over five years for a new digital literacy exchange program for seniors, low-income Canadians, indigenous peoples, and those living in Northern and rural communities.
The Indigenous Guardians Program - which has wide support in the NWT - receives $25 million over five years, starting in 2017-18, to support a pilot project. The group had asked for $500 million.
Stable and predictable funding to the territorial governments of $300 million over the next 11 years to provide targeted support for Northern housing. The NWT will receive $36 million (up from $12 million last year).
There's $108 million over four years, starting in 2017-18, to renew and expand the Territorial Health Investment Fund, with $28.4 million earmarked for the NWT.
To help wean communities off of diesel fuel, $21.4 million over four years will support the use of more sustainable, renewable power solutions.
But some of the largest pots of money will be some of the hardest to access for the NWT. Those are funds that come with the caveat to be allocated "on a base plus per capita allocation basis," which will be tough going for the NWT and its tiny population. These will also usually involve a bilateral agreement with the province or territory.
This includes billions of dollars for arts and culture, a "broad range" of infrastructure projects in rural and northern Canada, major child care expansion, an Arctic Energy Fund to addressing energy security.
It's with these large pots of money where we are going to have to count on Premier Bob McLeod and his cabinet to focus like a laser on one or two key projects and make sure we land them.
Nunavut must play the long game with InuktutNunavut/News North - Monday, March 27, 2017
This month saw the induction of the latest group of Government of Nunavut interns, who will hopefully increase the proportion of Inuit working in the GN.
Meanwhile, the government is asking Nunavummiut and the Inuit organizations to accept it will not meet deadlines set for bilingual education at Nunavut schools.
The two items are connected, and we all need to stay focused on the goal.
A bilingual education was supposed to be available to all Nunavut children by next year. Already, the government is admitting it won't be able to provide a bilingual education for high school students by 2030.
If language standards are allowed to slip, there is a real risk Inuktitut will lose its influence in Nunavut. A bilingual education will increase graduation rates, and increased graduation rates will lead to more qualified candidates for government jobs. Without a critical mass of young people getting that coveted high school diploma, the number of future leaders will never meet the need in Nunavut.
In the short term, creative solutions need to be found. If Nunavut's high school students have no hope of a bilingual education, the government has a duty to create alternatives such as language apps and summer on-the-land language programs. Work with Babbel, Duolingo, Pinnguaq and other language app developers to nurture spaces that can make Inuktitut fun and easy to learn on a smartphone or tablet. Work with Wikipedia - where the Inuktitut section is under threat of closure due to a lack of content - to grow the body of knowledge in Inuktitut on a site that is widely used.
Leadership needs to set an example, too, and create an incentive to learn the language. Qikiqtani Inuit Association president PJ Akeeagok set a great example during one of his first speeches as president by speaking almost exclusively in Inuktitut, whereas too often government leaders will see non-Inuit in the audience and default to English to cater to those folks. If Inuktitut is to survive, it must be the default language.
A move in this direction will gradually see those who are not willing to make the effort realize they need to speak the language to work here. Inuit will be the most motivated to do so. The natural progression will be a greater demand by Inuit for education, internships, and leadership positions.
Nunavut's institutions need to play the long game. A fully bilingual education may be 50 years off. Full representation in the public service may take even longer.
But the goal must be to aim to beat such timelines, and by a long shot. Without assigning effort and resources now, there is a high probability the target will be missed.
Where is our commissioner? Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, March 24, 2017
When George Tuccaro retired as the 16th Commissioner of the Northwest Territories last March, it was expected his replacement would be named within about two months, at least in time for the next sitting of legislative assembly the following May.
Almost a full year later, no appointment has been made.
It is no surprise that finding a replacement for Mr. Tuccaro would turn out to be a difficult task. He was an exemplary ambassador for the North who has left a very large pair of shoes to fill.
But fill those shoes someone must.
In many respects, the commissioner plays a largely ceremonial role, but the fact remains he or she is the federal government's representative in the North.
The delay on the part of the federal Liberals to appoint a new commissioner suggests they do not take the role seriously and perhaps do not take the North seriously.
About why it's taking so long, the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs will only say officials are reviewing the process for appointments. There wasn't even a token nod to the importance of finalizing the appointment.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green was right to raise the matter with Premier Bob McLeod.
The territorial government has, as Green pointed out, put forward a list of very qualified candidates for the position.
It remains for the feds to simply select one and move on.
Although the functions of government are now performed without issue under deputy commissioner Gerald Kisoun, it would be appropriate for the NWT to have a new representative in that position sooner than later.
The commissioner of the NWT is symbolic of the North's relation to federal power in Ottawa.
If the federal government is dragging its heels on such a straightforward appointment, it's natural to wonder how well it prioritizes Northern matters of more significance.
The commissioner's role may ultimately be symbolic but the symbolism of the feds ignoring the appointment speaks loudly by not saying anything at all.
Don't wait to put program on the road Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, March 24, 2017
Good things don't always come to those who wait. In the case of the safe ride program, waiting may mean its demise before it can even hit the road.
The city has been planning a street outreach service, which will patrol the streets in a van and pick up people who need to be taken to shelters or a sobering centre. This service, Mayor Mark Heyck said, is "about building relationships" with the city's vulnerable people.
There are two things delaying the program. First, a sobering centre has yet to open. Second, the van, expected to come from the RCMP, has yet to arrive.
Waiting for too long on these loose threads could threaten to shut down the program before it starts. If the city stagnates on this, there is a chance it could lose $100,000 in federal funding it was given to run it.
According to the city's director of community services Grant White, the service can start up very quickly once the RCMP provides a van. Therefore, there is no reason for the city to wait for a sobering centre to start up. People who would be bound for the sobering centre can be taken to shelters instead.
Once that van is here, it's time to put the pedal to the metal and start helping people.
Power of positivity spreads lots of joyDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, March 23, 2016
There are few things more positive than a community coming together to celebrate.
In Nahanni Butte, a dance put on by North Country Rock on the evening of March 17 may very well go down in history as one of the community's most memorable, as people danced the night away.
Some danced until they had blisters on their feet - and then showed up the next day to organize or help out with the second day of the community's Luk'eh Carnival.
North Country Rock, who drove all the way from Fort Smith, played for two nights during the festival.
During the daytime, events focused on cook-outs, traditional games and sports.
Despite the unfortunate timing with it co-inciding with Fort Liard's Cabin Fever Days, the carnival drew a core group of friends and volunteers as well as a small but a steady stream of people over the course of the weekend.
Youth and elders trickled in to the recreation centre to help out, visit and participate in activities.
Meanwhile, the Deh Cho was in the midst of the biggest snowfall of the year. Few vehicles were on the road at all, let alone travelling the hours needed to reach the carnival.
But even though less people visited than compared to the community's 2016 festival, the spirit of those who attended was big enough to make up for it - and more.
Band employees, including senior administrative officer Mark Pocklington, devoted their time to making sure everything ran smoothly.
Roxanne Konisenta and Jayne Konisenta were two of the lynchpin volunteers who made this year's festival happen.
The two spent their time cooking, organizing and completing whatever other tasks needed to be done.
Both of these women told me on March 18 how grateful they were to see community members volunteer to help out with various events such as the 9 a.m. breakfast the morning after North Country Rock's first show.
They admitted it can be hard to take on the burden of planning and organizing an event like the carnival, especially when only a few people can help out.
But they are also adamant that this makes the effort each person puts in even more valuable.
And it was certainly clear from the laughter, smiles and warm conversation that took place over the course of March 18 that the effort put in was appreciated by all.
Whether two people or 20 people volunteer, each one is sacrificing their time and effort to the cause of making the community a more positive place.
That positivity is one of the goals Jayne and Roxanne are aiming for - not just during the carnival, but a lasting positivity that stretches forward into the coming months as well.
They are well on their way to accomplishing that.
Youth can forge their own pathInuvik Drum - Thursday, March 23, 2016
Skilled trades competitions are one of the best things public schools do.
Hands-on education in real jobs goes a long way to readying youth for the working world.
The classroom is rather abstract and few workplaces operate like one. Working with small engines is not abstract, and is exactly what the real job is about.
Another thing the school system and all of us should do is encourage entrepreneurship.
There's a lot of talk about jobs when you're growing up. It always seems to be centered on who you want to work for. But why work for someone else?
Entrepreneurs are vital to society. They are the job creators. They're the ones who take the biggest risks to drive progress forward.
The media is inundated with "job-killing automation" stories these days. This reflects a fear that has existed for as long as humans have been creating labour-saving devices, and it's been a misplaced worry for just as long.
Automation and technological progress decentralize power and make humans more efficient and productive.
Was it job-killing automation when refrigerators destroyed the milkman's role in society? What about electricity, rendering the lamplighters useless?
Jobs are always coming and going and the world's landscape is constantly changing. What is lost in one area is gained in another.
The rise of the Internet has put incredible power in the average person's hand to pursue their own education and start their own business right from their bedroom. This is not job-killing. This is power-giving.
The rise in new entrepreneurial jobs is seen in profitable blogs, YouTube stars or online retail stores run out of someone's own home.
In this age, entrepreneurship is more possible than ever. The tools at our disposal have never been so extensive or easy to acquire. What can be done with a computer today, people of old couldn't do with a factory.
High school youth often have some fantastically inspired ideas. They can have dreams other than being a cog in someone else's machine. They can think of a new machine.
The mantra of working for someone else is so ingrained in youth that it's almost a foreign concept for them to realize they don't have to do that.
All types of people make the world go round.
There's nothing wrong with working for someone else. Most do.
But there's great potential in carving your own path.
Those are the pioneers, the space explorers, the visionaries who seem to see the future and bring society forward.
At East Three School right now, there are no doubt some youth with amazing ideas and the passion to pursue them.
The more that spark is nurtured, the better off society will be.
