Friday, February 02, 2001
The problem with Throne Speeches is that they say nothing.
Okay, they outline the government's agenda but they lack the specifics to fully gauge what's ahead.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson told us how the federal Liberals plan to address the problems facing Canada's aboriginal people, build "strong and safe communities", improve health care and much more.
It all sounds great, but now we must wait for the specifics, the money and resources they will commit to meeting those lofty promises.
As Premier Kakfwi says, "we need firm commitments."
Especially on the territorial government's request for help in building the infrastructure needed to fully develop the NWT's economy.
The fate of homeowners at the Con and Rycon trailer parksin Yellowknife is in the hands of city council.
Because their property is leased to their employer, Miramar Mining, residents have been told they will lose their water and sewage services when the mine is closed down in four years.
According to Con Camp Trailer Association president Soren Thomassen, the residents want to control their own destiny.
| Correction
According to new information received by Yellowknifer, the suspect involved in the hit and run snowmobile accident on Frame Lake is not a BHP employee as reported in Yellowknifer, Jan. 17. We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
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Owners are unable to purchase the lots due to outstanding land claims. But because the land is within city limits the city can lease the land from the territorial government.
The city has already done some initial research and concluded Rycon trailer park, home to eight families, would be far too costly to service.
But a study that looked into the Con trailer park found it would cost the city about $62,000 per lot to extend water and sewer lines to their doorsteps. Lot owners there would also have to fork out between $3,000 to $5,000 to hook into the new lines. The city is in the process of setting up a committee to consider the residents' request.
Maybe they should invite members of the Yellowknives Dene to get involved, if the ownership issue is to be resolved.
What the committee should also keep in mind is that the Con property offers probably the best waterfront possibilities for a marina.
So aside from helping people keep their homes, the area is an important opportunity for the city's future, for both residential development and the waterfront.
We're encouraged that council is taking time to examine the possibilities.
Yellowknife councillor Alan Woytuik was right that only one city councillor should attend the annual federation of municipalities conference in Banff, Alta.
Councillor Kevin O'Reilly sees nothing wrong with all councillors attending the annual junket because it's educational and promotes "professional development."
Six councillors spent almost the entire 1999 travel budget professionally developing themselves in Nova Scotia. Instead, money should be spent on conferences like the one in Norman Wells this summer, building stronger ties with outlying communities, or rubbing shoulders with resource development companies at southern conferences.
Unlike professional development, which leaves with the councillor, making such contacts brings benefits and dollars long after a councillor has moved on.
Inuvik town council recently got a sneak peek into a possible future subdivision here.
The project is touted as a modern subdivision. It's designed to limit the amount of traffic which will take place within its boundaries.
As well, a park area will be in the centre, and buildings are to be closer to the front of lots than usual to create more back yard space.
Northern Management Development Ltd. is undertaking the project. Though at a preliminary stage, it's encouraging to see such a proposal being put forward, as it will help address the expected increase in population here over the next few years.
The preliminary layout of the subdivision is also encouraging. It is good when designers realize that people don't just want a roof over their heads, but also desire to live in a comfortable and attractive neighbourhood.
Such a situation has the added advantage of encouraging people to take pride in their surroundings, thus cutting down on vandalism.
Showing school spirit
Lots of school spirit was shown last Friday at Sir Alexander Mackenzie.
It was pyjama day, thus lots of kids got to go to school wearing more casual outfits than usual.
Teachers got in on the act as well. Many were spotted in classrooms or wandering down the halls, wearing bathrobes and perhaps even slippers.
Teaching, especially at the elementary level, is not the easiest job at the best of times, so it's reassuring to see that SAMS staff have a good enough sense of humour to take part in such a lighthearted event.
Cool image up in smoke
Once considered cool by society and Hollywood, smoking has taken a beating over the past few decades.
Another indication of that was this past month, with National Non-Smoking Week, culminating in Weedless Wednesday.
Public Health put on a number of activities here over the week, including a tobacco exchange, to remind people of the dangers that come with smoking, and to encourage smokers to kick the habit.
It might seem that there's little need to remind people of the dangers associated with smoking, but it's worth noting town council has expressed concerns over people buying cigarettes in town while under age. The RCMP point out that young people can also acquire tobacco from friends.
The Deh Cho Process continues to unfold.
There have been many stories in this newspaper about the region's self-government negotiations. A Cliff's Notes version of the process is what the newspaper attempts to publish whenever possible. Being clear and concise is imperative, but it's a challenge with the volumes of material that amass with each negotiating session.
Thankfully, the negotiating teams on both sides are very accommodating to the media, taking the time to spell things out. There are generally very few discrepancies between their respective versions of events, little spin or bias.
The latest development, an interim Resource Development Agreement, holds promise that lands will be designated for development and a significant share of the resources will be allotted to the DCFN. Just how long it will take to complete this agreement is anyone's guess. These sorts of negotiations take a very long time. Yet in relative terms, the DCFN and the federal government (and even the GNWT to the extent they have been included) have plugged away at a remarkably steady pace so far.
While everyone is in favour of stimulating economic development within the region, Reid pointed out that the Interim Measures Agreement hasn't overlooked traditional knowledge. Land-use planning will be based upon the elders' respect for the land, he explained, referring to Clause 4 under Land Use planning, which reads:
"Taking into consideration the principles of respect for the land, as understood and explained by the Deh Cho elders, and sustainable development, the Plan shall provide for the conservation, development and utilization of the land, waters and other resources in the Deh Cho territory."
There's a lot to grasp with this whole self-government situation.
The DCFN has scheduled a public meeting for Feb. 11 to discuss the Deh Cho Process. It would be an ideal time for those with questions to stop by and find out what self-government will mean for them.
Runway rumble
It's a interesting and contentious issue that has arisen with the two runways serving Fort Simpson, a community of only 1,300 people.
The airport runway, about an 18-kilometre drive from town, was constructed during the Second World War by the American Corp of Engineers. The in-town runway came a decade or two later, according to one long-time resident.
Even as late as a 1978 study, the low volume of traffic being split between the two runways wasn't a problem for the tiny community, according to the GNWT's Paul Guy. However, the in-town strip has since overtaken the airport in terms of usage.
With oil and gas development in the offing over the next few years and an inevitable increase in air traffic, something is going to have to be decided. All differences aside, safety must be the ultimate concern.
Thumbs down this week to the continuing arena woes in Rankin Inlet.
The hamlet has been battling water and plumbing problems at the arena for years and, every time something goes wrong, is quick to point out the majority of the damage is being caused by a handful of youthful vandals who keep stuffing the toilets with hockey tape and other items.
This we know to be true, but it's only part of the problem.
Forget the basics of players not having washroom facilities in their dressing room (for the sake of argument, we'll class showers as a luxury), little or no cleaning of the facility and an often perilous walkway from the dressing rooms to the ice surface.
It makes one wonder what kind of maintenance is being done.
When it comes to vandalism, arena staff have to crack down on the culprits, and keep an eye out for troublemakers.
Most kids doing the damage don't even play hockey and the ones who do are ultimately going to pay the price for their mistakes.
That's unfortunate, because the arena was built to serve the entire community, to make Rankin a better place to live.
The whole hamlet will suffer if these ongoing problems cause the cancellation of local hockey, recreational skating, curling, and next month's Polar Bear Plate hockey tournament and the Stanley Cup's visit.
We here at Kivalliq News have often been critical of Minister Jack Anawak's failure to deliver his promised artificial ice to Rankin Inlet.
However, we must concede the fact, we can't blame Anawak for thinking, if they can't maintain the building now, how would they ever care for artificial ice? A valid point.
Nobody wants to deny our kids a good time. But, the time has come to put our foot down against wilful damage which hurts the entire community and negates the tireless efforts of those trying to improve the quality of life for many of our youth.
The process should start with the hamlet not only putting rules in place, but actually enforcing them.
The community must also do its part in helping maintain our facilities by not looking the other way when wilful vandalism is taking place, no matter what the age of the perpetrator.
It's our arena. Let's start taking better care of it before we fall victim to the old adage -- You don't know what you've got until it's gone!