Friday, November 24, 2000
The RCMP certainly got the public's attention with Operation Guiness.
Trumpeted as the biggest drug bust in the history of the Northwest Territories, the year-long investigation got headlines across Canada as RCMP officers swept up more than 70 suspected drug traffickers in Yellowknife, Edmonton, Calgary, Parry Sound, and Scarborough, Ontario.
Many Yellowknifers applauded police for the crackdown on dangerous drugs such as cocaine, while others criticized them for sounding the alarm so loudly that it could be heard from coast to coast to coast.
Police could put the same dent in the drug business with steady pressure, but argue that a big, well-publicized sweep forces the public to think again about a problem that refuses to go away.
Traffic in illicit drugs is profitable, and as quickly as police round up one group, another appears, ready and willing to separate a seemingly endless stream of buyers from their cash.
It's clear that drugs are a serious problem in this small city of 17,000. Of the 25 suspects police have publicly identified, 13 are Yellowknifers under the age of 25. They probably haven't thought of it, but if they are convicted of drug trafficking, their futures are permanently scarred.Meanwhile, the wheels of justice grind on. One effect of Operation Guiness is to further strain taxpayer-financed legal aid. The program is already crippled with a backlog of family violence cases. One defence lawyer is concerned that women in need may be deprived of legal counsel if scarce resources are taken up by accused drug traffickers. That too would be a sad result, especially at a time when society seems to be ready for a less punitive approach to drug use. Attitude is one thing, the law another.
Some are critical of the RCMP and seem them as over-zealous. But they are only doing the job society demands of them. The law will only change when the public demands it.
It was a minor issue in October: disclosure of election campaign spending.
Mayoral candidates came clean - at least they said what they spent on their campaigns. Last week Coun. Kevin O'Reilly tabled a financial statement that revealed spending AND contributions.
He encouraged all other council members to follow his example.
We applaud O'Reilly, and encourage city council to go a step further: petition the territorial government to amend the law so as to require full disclosure.
MLAs must do so and it makes sense that candidates for municipal governments should follow the same rules.
It's a step toward open democracy; it silences whispers about who backed a candidate's campaign, and it exposes potential conflicts of interest.
It's all over Monday, the election that only the Prime Minister wanted. What a mean-spirited contest it has been for the hearts and minds of Canadians. Not surprisingly, one of the latest polls reveals that the main combatants have been bloodied in the exchange of insults and allegations.
The pollsters reported that trust in Jean Chretien and Stockwell Day dropped, as did support for the Liberal and Alliance parties. The poll results also suggest that what began as a coronation march for Chretien has taken on the appearance of a race.
Monday's result could be a minority government -- all the more reason for all voters to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice.
After much hype and discussion, citizens in the Mackenzie Delta and across the country get their say this Monday.
Canadians will go to the polls and choose who will represent them in the House of Commons.
It is not an easy task. Reasons for picking whom to vote for are many, and can range from who one thinks can best represent their riding, to which party is expected to form the next government.
However, voting in this election, or any other for that matter, shouldn't only be regarded as a duty. It is a privilege - one many people have risked and even sacrificed their lives to protect, as the recent Remembrance Day ceremonies remind us.
Every vote counts. The difficulties associated with deciding the next president of the United States, due to the closeness of the vote, is proof of that. But it's important to note that votes count even in a race that turns out to not be close.
Furthermore, after Monday's vote, citizens should remain a part of the process. Whoever represents the Western Arctic riding will need to hear from their constituents about what they and their party are doing right, or what they could be doing better.
After all, this area faces a number of challenges, and opportunities, in the coming years.
And while still on the subject of voting, hamlets in this area are poised to hold elections. This is a good time for residents to let the candidates know about what concerns them, and what could be done to make their community a better place to live.
In fact, that process could continue even after next months elections.
Spirit of unity
The need for unity was a constant message from Fred Carmichael during his recent successful campaign to become the newest president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC).
Unity was again a common theme in Fort McPherson on Saturday, during the closing of the GTC's 17th annual general assembly. Comments were made on the spirit of cooperation evident during the week, and the need to continue that into the future.
Also noteworthy were the comments by some people on how sad they were when Richard Nerysoo (the former GTC president) lost the election earlier to this month to Carmichael. Some stressed the need to make use of Nerysoo's experience, even if he is no longer on the council.
It is to Carmichael's credit that, during his closing remarks, he reassured those in attendance that he still regards Nerysoo a friend and that they plan to work closely together in the days ahead.
Communities across the North recognized National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW) with a variety of activities between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18.
Throughout NAAW, some unfortunate souls can still be seen stumbling down the street. Although there are those who may watch scornfully or those who chortle, "Doesn't he know it's National Addictions Awareness Week," NAAW is not a panacea. It's a week to recognize that addictions problems exist and to consider what can be done to address and prevent such situations. Addictions are a perennial and costly problem across the country, but ultimately they can only be resolved when those who are affected are ready to come forward in search of help.
Hopefully the events held during the week provided some individuals with the strength and conviction to confront their dependency -- and those around them who suffer the consequences can also find the support they need not only to function normally but to find some joy in the face of despair.
Addictions counsellors and volunteers deserve a pat on the back for their hard work throughout the busy week. Their effort, which is emotionally demanding, is equally of great value throughout the entire year.
It was good to see the powerful "Back to Our Roots" presentation made at Thomas Simpson school and Echo Dene school. Children who come from dysfunctional homes are particularly susceptible to the perils of drugs and alcohol. The scene in Sheshatshui, Labrador is an extreme case in point. Dozens of children there have been in the news for the past few weeks because they hide out in the woods to sniff gas in plastic bags for days on end. The ones who have talked to reporters tell of horrific circumstances at home -- nobody to show them love or guidance, just a shambles due to alcohol abuse. Nobody misses them, nobody cares.
Although the situation here is not nearly as severe, a message of hope still has to reach the kids who are scared to go home. The network of caring community members, social workers, teachers is vital. Guest speakers, as outsiders, can sometimes be the ones to drive the point home.
Gerry Antoine, during the circle ceremony at Thomas Simpson school, mentioned that a men's talking circle has been formed. One already exists for women in Fort Simpson. He suggested that a youth talking circle would also be advantageous. It's an idea with merit.
Election time
Monday is voting day for the federal election. Alliance candidate Fred Turner made his way to Fort Simpson last week, the third candidate to visit the region. Time is running short if Progressive Conservative candidate Bruce McLaughlin has any plans of passing through the Deh Cho.
While in Fort Simpson, Turner said some First Nations' chiefs endorse the Liberals in return for funding. Yet in the bigger picture, he said the Liberals are suppressing aboriginal people. If we are to believe some chiefs accept money for programs and services yet tolerate a suppressive regime, that's not giving them much credit.
Jim MacDonald and the rest of the volunteers with the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association shouldn't feel too bad about being somewhat misled by Community Government Minister Jack Anawak.
They are not alone.
Kivalliq News also greeted the good news concerning the promised pilot project of artificial ice with much aplomb this past summer.
Oh how we gushed about the good minister for finally recognizing the social implications of a healthy hockey program in the Kivalliq region. Our MLA finally comes through with a campaign promise we crowed.
Well, here it is five months later and the project is on par with our new health station.
Maybe the Nunavut Government has decided to wait until the road linking us to Manitoba is completed so transportation costs won't be quite so high for the materials involved.
To date, in Rankin Inlet and most of the Kivalliq, the Nunavut Government's talk of strong initiatives to help our youth has amounted to nothing more than lip service.
Yes, there have been instances, such as the Department of Education's contribution to the solid Nunavut Youth Abroad project, where the NG has provided some funding to help out people at the local level doing the lion's share of the work.
And these contributions are greatly appreciated.
Yet, with our problems of youth suicides, crime, high drop-out rates and overall feelings of hopelessness towards a bright future, we can't understand why the NG isn't doing all it can to provide our youth with healthy environments.
The type of healthy environment sporting programs provide.
The lack of ice also prevents our sporting heads from providing top-notch instruction to our local coaches and referees.
Without that instruction, our local volunteers lack confidence in their own teaching abilities and are not able to provide our youth with the direction they need to improve their skills.
Minister Anawak couldn't free up five minutes to talk with us during his recent visit to Rankin Inlet.
However, I was told by a reliable source the minister would be calling me this week to discuss the artificial ice situation in Rankin.
I was also informed that Rankin would be "very happy" with the upcoming news.
Hopefully, our good minister will forgive me if I'm not sitting by the phone holding my breath.