Friday, March 16, 2001
Last week's acquittal of two former executives of the Dene Nation on criminal charges begs further attention.
After nine hours of deliberations, a jury found Helen Edjericon and Ethel Liske not guilty of stealing more than $50,000 from the Dene Nation.
The two were slapped with fraud and theft charges in August 1999 after an audit of the Dene Nation found $90,000 unaccounted for.
During the trial it was established that the two women didn't deny that over a five-year period, they had, indeed, signed over advance cheques to themselves for about $50,000.
The trial also brought to light the fact that these employees not only didn't have the authority to help themselves, but such actions were strictly forbidden by the Dene Nation's employee policy.
Their defence was simple. As Edjericon testified, she didn't feel she was doing anything wrong because "everyone was doing it. Even the national chief himself, Bill Erasmus, admitted during his testimony, that he had issued himself an advance to cover an income tax problem.
While we accept the jury's ruling of not guilty based on the evidence presented, it's clear that the very accountability of the Dene Nation remains up in the air.
Just try playing out this episode at any other business or civic administration. If this was allowed to take place at Yellowknife city hall it would be deemed totally unacceptable by taxpayers and be seen as a formula for failure when it came to gaining public trust.
On top of the obvious drain this case has put on our court system -- the trial logged in at least two weeks of court time -- this case has opened up a can of worms, that unless dealt with by the Dene Nation, will only get worse.
The whine from the Legislature was so loud last week that some thought a jet missed the airport and landed in the parking lot.
Turns out that it was Paul Delorey.
The MLA for Hay River South compared the capital to a giant vacuum cleaner, driven by the government; thereby implying that the capital city sucks up benefits that should be shared with the entire territory.
As a former vacuum cleaner salesperson, Delorey can claim to speak with some authority on matters related to hosers.
For the sake of logical thought, it would be best if he avoided acting like one.
Imagine this: Caribou Carnival without any mascot caribou.
No Carnival Cops to bust you for not wearing a carnival button. There are no tents to enjoy a tasty burger or play games; trash cans overflow because there's no one to empty them.
Would Caribou Carnival be any fun?
That's the question we all have to ask with the 45th annual event just days away.
It takes more than just people willing to raise the funds and organize the events. It takes an army of volunteers, too.
If you have an hour, a day, a weekend or a week, give the carnival office a call. They'll, and thousands of Yellowknifers, will be glad you did.
Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum
School books aren't collecting as much dust as usual.
At least, not those belonging to students within the area governed by the Beaufort Delta Education Council.
The BDEC has decreed that all its schools develop policies so that homework is assigned to all students, every day. Their directive, passed last June and reiterated in October, took effect at the beginning of January.
This may sound to many kids like their worst nightmare come true, but the policy is actually a positive one. Nothing can reinforce what's covered in class like doing work in that area that evening.
There can be fewer distractions at home, plus students are better able to take the time it takes to go through material until they really know it.
This holds true whether the assignment is 50 math sums, or 50 pages to read.
If it means cutting down a bit on the amount of television watched or video games played, the sacrifice will be worth it the next morning, when students head back to class armed with a better and fresh understanding of yesterday's lessons.
Local educators express support for the policy and report that implementation has gone smoothly for the most part.
To put it another way, practice makes perfect. A fellow by the name of Wayne Gretzky would probably agree with that, as would many other people who became successful at something because they worked long and hard at it.
Darts and drummers
A good example of practice paying off would have to be Vince Schlachter.
Over the weekend Schlachter placed first among men at the 2001 NWT Territorial Dart Playdowns.
Very impressive, especially considering Schlachter finished 33rd at last year's event, and has only played the sport for three years.
Schlachter explained that he accomplished this feat partly through steady practice over the past few months. So steady, in fact, that he's worn down a spot in the carpet where he practices.
The carpet may be slightly the worse for wear, but hard work helped Schlachter score a bull's eye of sorts.
Congrats are extended to Schlachter, as well as the other men and women who earned the right to represent the NWT at the dart nationals in Edmonton this June.
Incidently, last Friday's opening ceremonies were quite entertaining. All the different communities represented marched in, complete with banners. They were assisted by members of the 2749 (Signals) Inuvik Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps.
And kudos to the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers for putting on a performance.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson
Another Beaver Tail Jamboree has come and gone, but what a week it was.
The talent shows are always a lot of fun. A few of the competitors admitted how nervous they were performing in front of a large crowd. It's a common fear, but they worked up the nerve to overcome it.
The "most unusual talent" is always a crowd pleaser. Mary Jane Nayally and Nick Sibbeston had people roaring and applauding over their Slavey songs. What is it about George Jones' tunes that lend themselves so well to the Dene language?
The Dene hand games were a great addition this year. The concept of the game is rather simple, but the drumming, movements and facial expressions make them delightful to watch. Hopefully, hand games continue to build momentum in the region and become a regular feature at carnivals.
The weather was a little chilly over the weekend, but there have been much colder Beaver Tail Jamborees. Maybe because it's considered a spring carnival, Mother Nature insists on reminding us that we shouldn't be celebrating another season too prematurely.
Nobody went hungry during the week. There was plenty of food to go around at the pancake breakfasts, free lunches and the community feast.
The snowmobile races are always another highlight of the carnival. The high speeds, wild jumps and the element of danger are the core of what excites racing fans of all kinds. With paramedics, volunteer firefighters at the ready, the prospect of a serious injury is existent, but, fortunately, didn't come to pass over the weekend.
There are lesser injuries with which almost all snow cross riders have to contend. After absorbing the impact of landing from heights of a metre or higher, their backs, knees and arms take a bit of a beating.
The races attract more experienced riders from Hay River, Yellowknife and B.C. They have an advantage with "souped up" machines, which run faster than an average model. They also have many races under their belts, so they know many ways to give themselves an edge.
Some riders from the Deh Cho are apparently talking about starting up a racing circuit within the region. A series of races would be held over the winter (with a point system) to try to even the playing field a little bit.
Troy Bradbury said some local riders get discouraged by the disadvantages they face against these experienced racers. The prospect of spending a lot of money to enhance their snowmobiles isn't something some people want or can afford to do, either. However, he said he tries to look at it as a learning experience. By watching them in action and talking to them, there are plenty of tips to be gleaned.
There were legions of volunteers who made all of the aforementioned events possible. Hats off to them.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
It will be interesting to see how insurance rate hikes threatening to put a serious dent in hamlet budgets unfolds during the next 17 days.
One thing is certain, if hamlets are hoping to be cut any slack by an insurance company, they're in for a long wait.
The Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM) is currently seeking financial assistance from the Nunavut Government to help alleviate some of the impact to the hamlets.
And the impact is substantial, with a typical non-tax-based community looking at an overall increase of about 30 per cent.
The NAM works in partnership with the NWT Association of Municipalities to provide group general insurance to municipalities in both territories.
Right now, the expected premium increases will total more than $1.1 million between the two territories.
With premiums based largely on population, the bigger the community, the higher rate hikes it will have to endure.
The deaths which resulted from a tainted water supply in Walkerton, Ontario, have had a profound affect on the insurance industry.
While it is understandable many insurance companies are moving away from municipalities, the fact hamlets are being forced to deal with numbers given in one quote out of 20 requests is disturbing.
Before providing any financial assistance to the hamlets, the Nunavut Government would be well advised to force the NAM to show it's been pounding the pavement seeking further quotes.
In fact, with the major fires the North has seen during the past few years, pounding the pavement for a more obliging insurance company should be a Northern art form.
Many Canadian organizations have faced similar periods in the past, where insurance scales were tipped against them, and had to go beyond our borders to find a policy they could live with.
If every avenue has been exhausted, we would expect the NG to absorb some of the financial impact the hamlets are about to feel.
However, the onus should be placed on the NAM to show it has explored every option before approaching the NG with hat in hand.
With our recent deficit budget just delivered, every level of government and territorial organization must ensure it does its utmost to shoulder its share of the financial load.