It is probably the most important document ever produced by government.
It has the power to reveal improper political influence, or just as importantly, the absence of political influence. It shows the difficulties of living in a small Northern community far away from roads and the efficiencies of large communities to where the roads lead. In short, it shows where all the money goes.
Called the Geographic Tracking of Expenditures, the report details spending by the
Government of the Northwest Territories on a community, regional and Western Territorial basis, even on a per person basis.
Want to know how much money the Business Development Fund spent in Fort McPherson for the year ended March 1, 1997? The answer is $24,879.25 which equals $28.34 per person in the 878 person community. How much money was spent on apprenticeship programs?
Answer - $1.5 million at $40 per person for the Western Arctic (pop. 39,524). Compare that to $17 million spent on colleges at $434 per person. Don't we need skilled trades people in the North?
A truly shocking figure is the paltry $371,387 spent on adult basic education and literacy programs at $8.65 per person. One would think education policy was designed to abandon adults the school system failed so they can go on income assistance.
Care must be taken in interpreting the figures because they don't tell the whole story.
Health care in Jean Marie (pop. 53) per person is $13,175 compared to Colville Lake (pop. 90) at $5,821. There are probably good reasons for the difference but now questions like this can be asked.
This information should put it on the Internet on the government's web site and as many copies asked for should be printed. How money is spent tells the real story of government priorities and policies. It is also the foundation for self-government negotiations.
By making this report totally accessible on a yearly basis, territorial leaders will have taken a giant leap in fulfilling the promise of open government.
While crime and violence is distasteful and socially unacceptable at the best of times, perhaps at no time of the year do acts of stupidity and aggression leave a more foul taste in one's mouth than during the holiday season.
Crime, it seems, never takes a vacation and it is so disheartening to hear Nunavut RCMP members talk of the expectation of increased crime during the time of year when the message of love, tolerance and peace on Earth is supposed to be ringing at its loudest.
Alcohol, once again, was the leading suspect in providing the impetus for most of the crime in Nunavut to take place during the holiday season and this year's lineup of abhorrent behaviour was as vile as any in recent memory.
Stabbings, beatings, spousal assaults, break and enters, drunk driving, Ski-Doo theft -- we had it all from Iqaluit to Rankin Inlet and just about every inhabited point in between.
These problems are in no way indigenous to the North, but we, as Northerners, should take the time for a long, hard look at the problem. Christmas is a time for families, a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and a time to feel the warmth of humanity.
It is not, never was, nor never shall be a reason for excessive drinking and an excuse to exceed the boundaries of acceptable behaviour we, as a society, have put in place.
More so than any other time of the year, the bar must be set at zero tolerance for those among us who would devalue the spiritual gifts of the holiday season and ruin a truly wonderful time of the year for the families their actions affect.
Only then will it truly be a joyous season for everyone.
It was extremely disturbing to learn of the vicious attack on Boxing Day of an 81-year-old man in Fort Providence.
Two young men reportedly entered the elder's apartment and demanded money. When the pair were unable to find any cash, they dragged him outside and brutally beat him. One wonders how desperate these men, intoxicated at the time, were to carry out such a deplorable act of violence.
Although it's fortunate the two men were apprehended and now face charges for this act, it's unfortunate the community is left with the startling reality that two of their residents could be so cruel.
With little more than a month to go before Nunavut electors head to the polls to vote in their new government leaders, it's time to pay attention to what the candidates have to say.
It's crucial that voters look past the glossy campaign promises and ask the candidates tough questions about where they stand on the issues, which include health care and the accountability of government.
Much of Nunavut's success will depend on the people we elect as our first Members of Legislative Assembly. If we choose people based on their popularity or their empty promises rather than on their record of achievement and their commitment, we will undoubtedly be in trouble down the road.
There is a wisdom that comes from experience for which there is no substitute. Years at the finest schools, a stack of degrees from renowned universities and a shelf full of fat books cannot replace the insight that experience provides.
Traditionally the North has understood this. Elders hold a respected place in the community and they are a resource for the generations who will follow them.
So when a man such as Marius Tungilik comes forward to share his experience surviving abuse at a residential school, we all benefit from listening.
In speaking out, Tungilik demonstrates that the residential school experience can be overcome. Just knowing that is both a comfort and an inspiration. We are grateful to him for his message.