Sadly, the electoral boundaries issue is heading to court. We say sadly because the problem is a legislative one and that's where it should be resolved.
But this dispute is marked by the absence of compromise, which is essential to the democratic process. Those who oppose granting Yellowknife two more seats in the legislative assembly bring no new ideas to the debate; they seem to be satisfied that they have done their job by putting forth an unqualified "No".
There is an atmosphere surrounding the issue that is more reactive than rational. The debate, if that's what it can be called, on the subject was less than open-minded. Said MLA Don Morin, former premier, as he ignored advice from the assembly's law clerk, "...you can get many different opinions from many different lawyers.... If it goes to a court challenge, that's where it goes."
So much for constructive consensus building.
Many MLAs focused on Yellowknifers' easy access to their representatives as reason for no additional seats. It is as if Yellowknifers spend all day queuing up to chat with their MLA while members from other jurisdictions don't return phone calls.
One MLA felt that the presence of Wal-Mart in town was a good reason to hold the line at four seats. That sounds like representation by retailers rather than politicians.
In all this single-minded determination to ignore the advice of the boundaries commission (two of the three members are from the communities), no one put forward a moral or legal argument against more seats for Yellowknife.
And so it's off to court. It is most likely the court will rule in favour of the Friends of Democracy. No compromises, no bargains, no deals. MLAs who voted against the recommendations of the commission will have squandered an opportunity to represent the best interests of their constituents.
It's a sad situation.
The application by BHP to expand Ekati is good news for Yellowknifers.
It means that the diamond industry isn't going to go away any time soon. It means the industry is getting bigger. The bigger it gets, the more Yellowknife stands to benefit.
In other words -- money, money, money.
However, in applying for environmental licences, BHP will expected to meet the same standards that apply to their current operations.
And, as the success of their previous application demonstrates, it is essential to ensure that the people effected by any impact the new mines might have on the land are included in the approval process. They are the ones that will have to live with it.
It's three weeks into the New Year -- how are your resolutions holding up? How's that vow to quit smoking, cut back to a six-pack a week and lose 10 pounds doing?
This is the time of year when all those promises made on New Year's eve in a haze of chemically-induced enthusiasm begin to wobble.
Put your doubts aside and stick to it. You'll thank yourself in three months.
Count yourself lucky. You live in Yellowknife, where there is no end of recreational facilities. There are gyms, a beautiful pool, rinks, clubs and a long list of sports leagues that cater to all levels of skill. On top of that, there is the Great Outdoors right on your doorstep.
Our resolution? To not ask questions about anybody else's, and we're sticking to it.
Editorial Comment
Glen Korstrum
Inuvik Drum
When the minister's forum on education started its territory-wide travels in Inuvik to hear area concerns, dozens of people turned out.
Many prefaced remarks by explaining how they had attended similar meetings for about 15 years.
The panel members diligently put pen to paper and noted concerns they will surely forward to Minister Charles Dent, but few in attendance really believed it will make one iota of difference.
Perhaps sensing cynicism and a feeling that voicing concerns at public meetings is more a favourite area sport than true political action, panelist and Inuvik resident Ethel Blake said, "Things happen but they happen in small steps."
To focus on one problem, such as attendance, Blake is right.
There is no magic pill or a cure-all remedy.
If parents are blase from the start, never waking sleepy kids or not being there to wake them, how can kids be blamed for a "whatever" attitude?
Some parents discussed the torturous frustration some students must feel trying to find study space in chaotic homes.
Others noted how a generation of children grew up without parents when they attended residential schools. Now, parenting skills are a foreign concept.
Parents are models to their children, and though Inuvik is still small enough for part of that responsibility to be shared so children benefit from various diverse influences -- it takes a whole community to raise a child -- parents hold the supreme influence.
With that custody comes obligation, and on that front, it was reassuring to see so many parents who cared enough to come out and let their views be known even if it meant more of a bonding session between them than a meeting of any practical consequence.
There were probably six or seven times the number of parents there Jan. 18 than what attended the District Education Authority meeting at SAM school in December.
This bodes well for everyone's future.
Closure and comfort
When Grollier Hall is demolished later this year, many former students who endured painful memories will likely have the chance to join in and do some of the ceremonial demolition work to signal the finality of a part of their lives.
Logistics are still being worked out, though what's promising is how closely Aurora College and Public Works and Services are working with the Grollier Hall Healing Circle.
A video showing the proposed Aurora Campus on the Grollier Site projects a starkly different image from the currently boarded-up monolith.
The future building's airy look and open feel will certainly make a more pleasant learning environment likely.
When students are comfortable and feel good about where they are, learning can only be enhanced.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
This week's story about residential school abuse is very disturbing.
It's not a new issue, but one that seems to be a long way from being put to rest. After all, when you have a tormented soul, how can you be expected to simply expel the pain?
To think those sorts of thing could have happened in Canada as recently as 40 or 50 years ago is quite shocking. The stripping away of one's identity through conformist measures is the stuff of Nazi Germany. As a matter of fact, when he read Victor Frank's book on concentration camps, residential school healing group member Nick Sibbeston said he could relate to some of the horrifying conditions that the prisoners went through.
Not to overstate the case, the aboriginal children in the residential schools were obviously not gassed and buried in mass graves. However, they were apparently living in an environment where they received no love or support and, in some cases, were allegedly subjected to physical and sexual molestation.
I think there are few people out there who question whether the circumstances surrounding the residential schools were far less than acceptable. However, if the issue of financial compensation is even hinted at, it seems there are a greater number of people who are ready to jump up and protest.
When it comes to lifestyle, Sibbeston is the envy of many. He has a successful bed and breakfast business and, by his own account, a supportive family. On the exterior, that's what we see -- a thriving businessman who has a good home. Personally, he said he feels fulfilled, yet still very unhappy.
"A lot of people think it's just Indians complaining, trying to get a buck," he acknowledged of residential school societies. "It's not that. It's life and death. It's just rage ...so much anger."
Some days are just a struggle to cope. He said he's sure his childhood is the source of his depression because every time he gets together to discuss the abuse with others he leaves feeling a sense of relief.
There are those who would argue that money isn't going to heal their pain. How do you put a value on somebody's misery? Well, Allyn Rohetyn, a drug and alcohol counsellor hired by the Deh Gah Got'ie Band, noted that society's values are based on the dollar these days. When you consider all that these former students have lost, they deserve some sort of retribution, he said.
Joachim Bonnetrouge, another member of the residential school healing group, said he may seek financial compensation for the sake of his family. That way, he could partly make up for being an "absentee father, a drunken parent and a jobless husband," he said. He attributes those problems to the agonizing conditions of his childhood -- they were the after-effects. Consequently, he wasn't able to establish a trust fund for his children to get them through university. Now, he'd very much like to make that a reality.
The healing process is lengthy and costly, Sibbeston noted. Workshops aren't free and good counsellors come at a high price. Yet the social costs without healing are astronomical. Look at the damage done by those with substance abuse problems, fetal alcohol effects and those from broken homes.
To all those who are currently involved with the group and to those who find the desire to come forward, I wish you happiness, by whatever means you may find it.