Friday, November 17, 2000
In the editorial that appeared in this space on November 1 this paper commented on Premier Kakfwi's chief of staff, Lynda Sorensen, being granted an unpaid leave from her position so that she could act as campaign chair for Ethel Blondin-Andrew in the federal election.
 Lynda Sorensen |
We withdraw without reservation any allegation that Ms. Sorensen is violating any territorial law by acting as campaign chair for a federal candidate while on leave from her position as chief of staff.
The territorial government is not paying Ms. Sorensen while she is acting as campaign chair. She is on unpaid leave. We know of no basis for suggesting she is in a conflict of interest while on unpaid leave.
Ms. Sorensen did not tell the Yellowknifer "Forget all that legal stuff" or any words to that effect when she was interviewed about this issue. As we earlier reported, she told the Yellowknifer she understood that the terms of her employment contract were such that she was exempt from the limitations on political activity that apply to restricted employees.
We retract without reservation any statements in the editorial that suggested otherwise. We regret any embarrassment caused to Ms. Sorensen by such statements and apologize to her for them. We also retract the final paragraph of the editorial that appeared here in its entirety and apologize for its contents.
The numbers are staggering -- 13 per cent of the population, representing an estimated 5,453 people with disabilities.
Problem is, you don't see 5,453 people rolling around our streets in wheelchairs, with white canes or hearing aids.
Many disabilities are unseen, difficult to notice and easy to ignore.
They are the ones kids tease and torment for talking funny or being "slow."
They are the ones many of us still joke about in private where we don't have to be "politically correct."
They are also the ones in need.
That picture was painted in broad strokes last week with the release of Living with Disability ... Living with Dignity.
There are the obvious problems, like Yellowknife's lack of accessible transit. People with disabilities can take a cab, some say. But how do you afford the fare when 80 per cent of the people with disabilities earn less than $20,000 a year, and almost half get by on less than $10,000.
The need also extends to some very basic requirements, including diagnosis and assessment, general medical care and treatment, and home care.
While 524 people get the occupational and physiotherapy they need, another 222 can't. Another 138 people are waiting for speech/language pathology and 210 for home/personal care.
The demand for basic services is expected to grow.
And now that the NWT Council for Disabled Persons has shown the need, it's up to everyone to act.
Territorial and federal governments must find money to expand essential programs.
The general public must understand the needs of the disabled and speak up to make the North truly inclusive.
That's been on the minds of many people across the country recently, as Remembrance Day services have been held from coast to coast to coast to pay tribute to those who served in Canada's armed forces in two World Wars, the Korean War and in various UN peacekeeping missions.
Many fought for Canada in those conflicts. Some returned, many didn't, and all paid a high price. But they were willing to risk their lives for the good of their country and their fellow citizens.
That price has not been in vain. Though this country has many problems, Canadians know they can go about solving these problems peacefully and democratically. Even today, many people in the world don't enjoy that luxury, as can be quickly seen from watching the news.
The current federal election is a reminder of something which is vitally important to Canadians -- the right to govern ourselves. That's something this country's soldiers felt was worth dying for.
Of course, the right to vote is just one of many freedoms Canadians owe to our veterans. This is perhaps a good time to consider the freedoms that do exist here, and the true value of having a peaceful country that is the envy of many people throughout the world.
After all, although Remembrance Day has come and gone for another year, the benefits reaped from the sacrifices our soldiers have made last, and can be appreciated, all year long.
Symbol of sacrifice
It's worth noting that one of the most universal symbols of remembrance, the poppy, became a popular way to honour veterans' sacrifices shortly after the First World War.
The poppy figures prominently in the great war poem, In Flanders' Fields, which was written by a Canadian doctor, John McCrae. He urged people to take up the torch and hold it high, and to not forget the dead who lie in Flanders Fields.
And the children shall lead
Still on the Remembrance Day theme, it was nice to see cadets, Girl Guides and Boy Scouts take part in the Inuvik service.
One of the main purposes of Remembrance Day is to ensure young people know about the sacrifices made on their behalf, and the reasons those sacrifices were made. One of the best ways to do that is to get them involved in the process.
Perhaps a lesson could be learned from the Dutch, who were liberated by Canadian soldiers near the end of the Second World War. They teach their children to tend the graves of Canadian soldiers in cemeteries there.
NDP candidate Dennis Bevington is emphasizing that he's willing to ruffle some feathers in the House of Commons to make the wishes of NWT constituents heard in the nation's capital.
Some suggest the benefits of an opposition MP are dubious. Others argue that having a Liberal MP for the past seven years hasn't done the NWT much good either.
Nonetheless, Bevington makes some good points on gun control. Many Northerners have been vocally opposed to the proposition of acquiring a firearms license and being forced to register their weapons.
That's what political campaigns are about -- if you find a weak spot, exploit it. Gun control is an Achilles heel for the Liberals in the minds of many Northerners.
Yet it's a stretch to claim that the Liberals are "criminalizing harvesting practices," as his NDP press release reads. Bevington said numerous people have told him they refuse to register their guns and therefore will be putting themselves in a "criminal position."
Even so, that doesn't mean the Liberals are making hunting with a rifle a crime in itself, as the message in the press release could be misconstrued. Many people may rightfully resent being forced to jump through hoops in order to continue a practice they have known intimately for generations. However, if NWT residents follow the regulations (the cost and hassle notwithstanding), there's nothing stopping them from getting on their snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles, packing a rifle, and bringing home a moose or a caribou as they have in the past.
Health care is another touchy subject for the Liberals. Critics contend the government is only restoring the money that it took away from health care years ago, while offering tax cuts that will primarily benefit the rich. The NDP, on the other hand, is proposing to devote more of the federal surplus to health care.
It would be interesting to see how much difference the NDP could make as part of a coalition in a minority government or as the official opposition. That may only be an imaginative exercise since the polls indicate their numbers are lagging, running at about eight or nine per cent nationally. We'll find out in less than two weeks whether Bevington will fare better than the national average.
Extraordinary talent
It's not always possible to convey on paper just how much pride goes into some of the undertakings mentioned in the articles of a newspaper. This week is a prime example. The band members of Ekuinox have true talent as do knife-maker Dan Quevillon and Sylvie Clement, whose talent in making sheaths complements Dan's gift. Despite having to weather the daily grind like the rest of us, they still find the time to pursue their passions. It's inspiring.
Maggie Amarualik's opinion on the attitude of some abuse victims will not win her any popularity contests in some corners.
And while the impact of any form of abuse on an individual cannot be downplayed, Amarualik does raises valid points.
Everyone heals in their own way, in their own time, with no set formula. Some people struggle to come to grips with the past, while others never fully work it out.
Amarualik doesn't have any problem with abuse victims struggling to cope with what happened to them. She has a problem with are those who aren't trying, and using the abuse they suffered as a shield against criticism, accountability and, in some cases, opportunity.
Some victims fall into the trap of using what happened to them as an excuse for any shortcomings they may have.
It becomes far easier for them to simply use their abuse as an excuse and save themselves the effort of addressing the real problem.
Let's be honest for a moment.
How many of us are angered when we watch or read about a crime where the perpetrator claimed his or her actions were a direct result of their own abuse?
How many of us have known people who simply stop trying, opting instead to continually play the system and use their abuse as an excuse for parenting problems, a reason for not seeking employment or justifying a criminal act?
Conversely, how many of us have met people we truly admire and respect for facing their demons?
People who suffered similar tragedy and managed to heal and become a productive member of their community.
There are many.
We often hear of breaking the cycle as one of the keys to curbing family violence, alcoholism and drug addiction.
Those who choose to constantly blame others for their own actions do nothing to help break these cycles of violence and addiction.
In fact, their chosen behaviour often helps perpetuate these cycles.
One should always strive to avoid stereotyping of any kind.
We all know Amarualik's remarks do not describe the behaviour of all abuse victims. Nor were they intended to.
Her contentions are against those who have suffered abuse and have not learned from the wrongs committed against them.
Although we greatly appreciate the trauma of abuse and how difficult it is to overcome its emotional and psychological effects -- those determined not to move forward will be left behind.