We wonder how many people choked on their porridge this morning, listening to Metis nation President Gary Bohnet talk on CBC Radio about "apples" at the legislative assembly.
Bohnet said "apples" are "red on the outside and white on the inside," apparently referring to the Dene politicians who don't think like Bohnet does.
With this clever image Bohnet demonstrates his frustration, so much so he can't make a statement on the issues without using racist remarks that manage to insult two ethnic groups at once, his own mother or father and the creators of the ethnic group he claims to lead.
We hope Mr. President rethinks his words, remembering that whatever bad qualities he attributes to being either red or white, he possesses them all by half.
It is good to see someone is interested in taking over organizing Raven Mad Daze but is it worth it?
Is it worth it for Caribou Carnival organizers John Clark and Martin Gaudet to keep the popular summerfest going when it seems there aren't too many who care one way or the other?
Clark and Gaudet have been the only ones to express interest after last years's organizer Sue Glowach announced her intention to step down.
Raven Mad Daze has taken place every one of the past 28 years. According to Glowach, 143 businesses and non-profit organizations took part last year, many of which raised one-third of their annual budget.
She couldn't say exactly how much cash flows through the city during Raven Mad Daze, but said it is "significant."
Significant. But yet still no expression of interest from any of these groups in keeping it going.
Glowach approached the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Frontier Visitor's Association and the city about taking over Raven Mad Daze. None have responded. None.
It's baffling. The event has more than proven itself in the past. It promotes businesses and boosts both the economy and tourism. It is an excuse to celebrate the beginning of summer, the end of school -- whatever.
It's a tradition. And a favourite one, judging by last year's numbers. About 13,700 people took part. That's a lot of people visiting a lot of businesses and buying a lot of stuff.
This is why the city, the Chamber, etc., should be concerned about keeping Raven Mad Daze going. It is an event worth keeping.
One only had to witness the fascination of the many Japanese tourists and children trudging onto Yellowknife Bay last month to realize the city's Snow King, Anthony Foliot, made one helluva homemade success with his colourful castle.
Block by block, Foliot handcrafted this winter playground with perhaps the cheapest and most environmentally friendly material going -- snow.
The hours of overtime Foliot and company put into this year's castle, which was complete with a full-size skating rink, an amphitheatre and a giant slide, should be commended. It's pioneers like Foliot that prove old-fashioned creativity and endurance go a long way.
Editorial Comment
Glen Korstrum
Inuvik Drum
Easterners appear to be bubbling over with pride and triumph at the birth of Nunavut, but westerners are evidently having none of it.
In a political division as long anticipated as today's Nunavut-NWT split, the only surprise is how little excitement westerners, or at least Inuvik residents, are showing about our new territory.
No official town-sponsored events are set to take place while money the GNWT provided for the occasion is likely to be funnelled into festivities during the Great Northern Arts Festival, as recommended by the recreation committee.
Still, private celebrations will no doubt flourish around Inuvik tonight because political division is a great excuse to party.
This is the first time in many residents' lifetimes that the Canadian map is changing, but many westerners are nonchalant and acting perhaps a little too unflappably Canadian as though we take for granted that our governments will reach a consensus peacefully.
Those in Serbia who strongly oppose more regional autonomy for the secessionist province, Kosovo, provide a timely example of how governments often do conflict when determining areas of jurisdiction.
Perhaps the muted reaction on the part of many in Inuvik is better understood in the context of Beaufort Delta self-government negotiations.
Compared with other Canadians' feeling for their province (particularly in Quebec and B.C.,) few Beaufort Delta residents hold a strong territorial identity.
Instead, many area residents identify first as being Inuvialuit or Gwich'in. Genealogy means more than geography to them.
Land-claim institutions deliver some federal programs and services specifically tailored for aboriginal peoples.
For example, in Gwich'in communities, a more than 80-year-old traditional form of government, the band council, has been a governing institution.
Bands operate programs and services and act as an advocate for members' issues and concerns.
As such, self- government initiatives are evolving to the point where significant areas such as health care, education and adoption and guardianship, are set to devolve to the Beaufort Delta region and then further down as currently-being-negotiated specific community constitutions are ratified.
Another clue the new NWT is not as cohesive as it could be is that mayors from communities across the new territory have been bickering on issues such as who gets secondary diamond facilities.
True, people in the Beaufort Delta have been bickering for time immemorial, as shown in an old Sir Alexander Mackenzie map Mayor George Roach often refers to. The map refers to area people as "quarrellers."
And as IRC chair Nellie Cournoyea told the Beaufort Delta Leaders' conference, "People are never all going to agree. It would be boring if they did."
This said, today is a day to celebrate as NWTers bond as residents of a new political entity.
Differences are inevitable, but what remains essential is that we all forge a sense of territory. Harmonious relations will then be more likely between Inuvik and Hay River and between Tuktoyaktuk and Fort Simpson.
We can all accomplish more if we work together.
People in Nunavut are enjoying their day, but time could show that we are in the part that will come out as the real winner.
That's worth celebrating.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
I've only been in the North for a grand total of 14 months, yet I've witnessed an extraordinary number of people come and go in that time.
That's one of the realities of living here, I guess. You meet people from all over the country who have come for the short term and you hardly get the chance to really know them before they're gone. Every year new phone books are issued and, invariably, they contain names of people who have already packed their bags for other locales.
Looking through back issues of the Drum, I see stories of people who meant so much to the community and were being wished a fond farewell. The reality is that only a few are recognized in the paper, most people depart with little fanfare.
Granted, there are those who were born here, have lived here all their lives and will likely remain here until their dying day. There are also those who spend several years in a community or region and give everything they can of themselves. It's those people to whom it's hardest to say goodbye. This week I had the privilege (perhaps misfortune would be a more appropriate word) of writing a couple of articles about those type of people.
Marilyn Napier is on her way to Fort Smith, so she'll still be living in the North, and will undoubtedly return for a visit every so often. Talk about someone who offered plenty to the community -- over her 10-year stay, Napier was president of the Metis Nation Local 52, a member of the Deh Cho First Nations' executive and a village councillor. She has also been affiliated with the NWT Native Women's Association and is the Northern representative for the Native Women's Association of Canada. Her tearful farewell dinner on Monday was evidence of how hard it can be to move on, even if it's only an eight-hour drive away.
In Kakisa, John Doherty is heading out after a distinguished four-year tenure as teacher-principal. I only had the chance to visit Kakisa Lake school once, but I'll never forget it. John's mobile home, with a small attachment, doubled as the school house. The students practically had the run of the place (but weren't running the place -- there's a definite distinction). It was more like a clubhouse where good friends hang out rather than a learning institution. He won't get a chance to teach in the new school, which is set to open later this month, yet I doubt that he'd ever bemoan that fact. It should be noted that John spent a total of 13 years in the North, a rather lengthy stay by most standards.
Both Napier and Doherty are going to be closer to their parents after they change addresses. It's hard to deny the persuasion of family when one considers the choice of whether or not to pull up stakes.
Maybe we'll encounter them again someday in our travels. There's no better place than the North to help impress upon you that it really is a small world.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
As tomorrow marks the official birth of our new territory, Nunavut, it's only fitting to take a moment to reflect on the emotions being felt at this time throughout the Keewatin Region, and the most prevalent feelings are of hope, optimism and, yes, apprehension.
The feeling of hope speaks for itself as people throughout our region look ahead to being masters of their own destiny, to seeing programs created indigenous to our part of this great country and which will enable our youth to choose their own direction in life.
There is also hope for a new sense of purpose in our new territory. With leaders now in place who not only call Nunavut their home, but the home of their fathers and their fathers before them, our first legislative assembly comes armed with a strong working knowledge of our territory, its people, its culture, and the problems and challenges we face.
Optimism seems to be rampant across the country as the dawning of a new millennium nears, but we here in Nunavut have even more reason to be optimistic about our future. Many, many organizations from health and education boards, to women's advocacy groups to justice committees have been working tirelessly for months to put the finishing touches on their plans for Nunavut.
Plans which will help us grow, address many of the problems we are facing today and lay the groundwork for meeting and exceeding our own expectations and the challenges which lie ahead.
There is a new sense of pride being evidenced in our communities, a new sense of self-importance and self-esteem with the creation of our own territory. Talk of culture and education is everywhere as more and more people look towards our future together and the promise it holds.
As with everything new, there is also a sense of apprehension, but that is to be expected.
How will we do on our own? Have we elected the right group of people to lead us into the next century? What will we accomplish? Where will we fail?
There has never been a more exciting time in the Eastern Arctic and we are all very fortunate to be here witnessing the dawning of a new age as the Inuit culture takes its rightful place amongst our nation's peoples.
Yes, there will be struggles and, yes, there will be setbacks. But, as for our collective outlook right now, perhaps the pop group Timbuktu may have said it best, "The future's so bright, I gotta' wear shades."