Editorial page

Monday, August 27, 2001

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Tuktoyaktuk voters have spoken again

Tuktoyaktuk residents have again voted in favour of having a liquor store or outlet in the hamlet.

Earlier this year, a local ad hoc committee, hoping to reduce bootlegging, approached the hamlet's nine-member council, urging a liquor store for Tuktoyaktuk. Council passed the request on to territorial Finance Minister Joe Handley, the minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Liquor Commission.

Before considering the request, Handley wanted to see how much community -- and council support -- there was this time for a liquor store. Fresh in Handley's mind, no doubt, was the 126-76 vote two years ago in favour of a liquor store. Council later endorsed the plan, only to have the process derailed when 186 people signed a petition opposing alcohol sales in the community.

So the hamlet council held a second community vote Aug. 13. Again, people voted in favour of a liquor store or outlet for Tuktoyaktuk, albeit with a closer 87 to 73 vote. The vote can also be seen in the context that well under 50 per cent of the hamlet's 500-plus eligible voters cast ballots.

That said, we believe the hamlet's council has taken the right course of action after the most recent vote by again unanimously passing a motion "that a letter should be written to the minister of finance requesting him to continue the process for the liquor store/outlet in Tuktoyaktuk."

We be must clear on this point: Tuktoyaktuk, while it does not have a liquor store, is not a dry community. Lutsel K'e, Nahanni Butte, Rae Lakes, Snare Lake, Tsiigehtchic and Wha Ti prohibit the consumption and distribution of alcohol. Deline, Rae-Edzo, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard and Fort Good Hope and Dettah have varying alcohol restrictions.

Tuktoyaktuk is an "unrestricted" community with no rules beyond those contained in the Liquor Act and its regulations. There will never be a consensus on the sale of alcohol in Tuk. In its, absence, two majority votes by the community -- and two council motions endorsing those votes -- should and must be enough.


A bump in the road

Before we start drawing up the $200-million budget for a 300-kilometre road from Bathurst Inlet to what is widely believed to a rich base-metal deposit at Izok Lake in the Kitikmeot, let's stop and consider a bigger picture.

Canada is, at least officially, strongly opposed to American petroleum development on the north coast of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, which just happens to be the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd.

The site of the proposed port that would be built at the north end of the Bathurst road just happens to be an important part of the calving grounds of the Bathurst caribou herd.

This doesn't mean a road can't be built, but it does mean there is more at stake than jobs and money.


Albertans miffed at PM

"Albertans miffed at PM's urging to share their wealth..."

So reads a headline in Friday's Calgary Herald newspaper in reaction to Prime Minister Jean Chretien's suggestion.

Big deal.

They ought to live in the Northwest Territories. Here, virtually all the wealth from the resources extracted from the land goes south. We get back just enough to get by.

And promises of "devolution of power" and revenue sharing.

Alberta's wealth allows them to pay top wages for nurses and doctors. At the very least, it raises the cost of attracting health professionals to the NWT.


The cost of false alarms

Word came last week of another tourist, an American travelling in the Inuvik region this time, who activated an emergency locator beacon unnecessarily. This sort of thing is beginning to happen with increasingly frequency, and it has to stop.

Each time one of those beacons goes off, Canadian taxpayers end up forking over $100,000 or more to scramble search-and-rescue teams from the South.

Some have suggested billing the so-called adventurers who misuse such equipment, but that might discourage legitimate use and even end up costing lives. A better solution would be to require those who carry the beacons to post a bond that would cover the cost of a false alarm.


The price of tourism

Canadian Tourism Commission president Jim Watson made a brief but important visit to Nunavut this month. With the CTC's help, Nunavut's natural attractions will become prized tourist destinations.

But at least two problems are of note. First, most grassroots tourism businesses can't afford the CTC's $5,000 to $15,000 advertising kits. Second, are visitors, especially eco-adventure seekers, blinded by the allure of the Arctic?

Look no further than the American tourist confronted by a polar bear near Clyde River this month. Wildlife officials warned him of the inherent dangers. Yet the ill-equipped kayaker insisted on going. Clearly the territory needs tourism dollars. Let's hope, though, visitors know what they're stepping into.


There's strength in artistic numbers

The Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association is growing strong in number and in voice. Last week's Nunavut Arts Festival bears testimony to that fact.

Some 50 artists from almost all reaches of the territory flew into Cambridge Bay to share their vast talents with the community and with one another. Pulling that off is a feat in and of itself, but it's especially notable that the organization of the festival was the result of the efforts of just a handful of people.

The annual showcase serves many purposes. As well as giving artists the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and techniques, it gives Nunavummiut the opportunity to share their struggles and the hardships they face in trying to survive financially.

The romantic stereotype of the starving artist is a harsh reality in Nunavut. Supplies are often scarce and expensive and the market is far away and often difficult to access. Families rely on the income earned from a carving or a pair of kamiks to buy bullets and gas to get food. The money fills the oil tank, buys diapers for babies and is used to purchase needed medication.

Simply put, the income earned from art is critical to hundreds of families in the territory.

The federal government estimates there are 3,000 working artists in Nunavut -- about 20 per cent of the working population over the age of 14 years and the largest workforce of Inuit employed in a traditional lifestyle. Any organization that strives to better the reality of this many artisans must be applauded.

While NACA is still in its infancy, it has made great strides over the last three years. Members have built a continuously growing festival, they've launched an effective and useful Web site and they've elected another strong board of directors to represent their interests. Real change can be realized when people join forces. Nunavut's artists -- through NACA -- are on their way to making this change happen.


Standing up for family values

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

I found it more than a little interesting to listen to the Kataujaq Society's director, Evelyn Thordarson, make reference to the fact the society is here to bring families together, not tear them apart.

Her need to stress that point is no doubt brought on by the fact the society operates the Safe Shelter for Battered Women in Rankin Inlet.

For the past three years I have covered the society's annual picnic, attended its annual fundraising auction and visited its day-care centre numerous times.

Now the society has been instrumental in launching an early childhood program in the hamlet.

With all the good I've seen the Kataujaq Society do, I find it almost mind-boggling that its director would feel obligated to point out its main focus is to bring families together.

So, what is it about being the one entity in the region to operate a safe shelter that prompts such a referral to self-justification?

The hard part to swallow is that it's a stigma. One which suggests that by offering a safe haven for abused women and/or their children, you are somehow contributing to the breakup of a family.

In this day and age, the twisted logic of such thinking is reprehensible and it is sad to realize an organization which does so much to better its community still feels the need to justify itself.

Since opening the doors to its day care more than 20 years ago, the Kataujaq Society has been caring for people of all ages in the Kivalliq region.

To bring hope to those who often feel hopeless and afford them a new opportunity at happiness is to be commended, not subjected to draconian standards from a time when "obey" was still part of a women's wedding vows.

The Kataujaq Society convinced this reporter years ago that it's main focus is to bring families together.

And, by offering an alternative to violence, that is exactly what it does -- for violence, in any form, does not merit standing within the family structure.

Caring for and educating children, counselling those who may require a helping hand along the way and offering an alternative to abuse -- it certainly sounds to us like the Kataujaq Society is focused on the family unit!


Getting ourselves into shape

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

Inuvik residents will soon have the chance to see just how fit they are (or aren't).

A series of fitness appraisals are being organized by community health representative Alfred Moses, in conjunction with the physiotherapy department. Those hardy enough to take an appraisal will undergo a series of quick tests and will have the results explained to them.

Some people might discover they're not as strong, or have as much endurance, as they thought -- and have to endure ribbing from friends as a result -- but Moses pointed out the appraisals are part of efforts to encourage residents to become more active and live healthier lifestyles.

Plans are in the works to set up fitness groups in the community, with the idea being that people conduct an activity together, like walking or running. It's a good idea. Meeting at a set time week after week could encourage people who might not otherwise exercise regularly, and also combines exercise with a social event. Or as the old adage states, misery loves company.

Meetings serve useful purpose

Two community consultation meetings have been held in Inuvik in recent weeks pertaining to plans for the coming winter in terms of seismic and drilling programs.

Such meetings are useful. Not only do they give oil and gas industry firms the chance to explain their plans, those in attendance have the chance to voice any concerns or questions they might have.

In these recent meetings, as well as those held last fall, some good discussions have broke out over many topics, ranging from caring for the environment, to drug and alcohol policies.

It all serves to give people a better understanding of what's taking place, and can give industry representatives some food for thought as well.

New training program welcome

This September will hold special meaning for some young people across the Delta.

Starting this fall the Beaufort Delta Education Council is launching the Youth Entry Level Skills program. This will give high school students, and other young people up to the age of 29, the chance to gets skills based training in various fields.

The program is a good reminder that in today's world, education and training doesn't stop once high school is completed. It also serves as another example of the positive partnership that is possible between educators and industry.


Grab your calculator

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

I don't like math. I failed algebra in high school. That being said, the following exercise in arithmetic is still worth reviewing before heading out to public meetings in the Deh Cho on Sept. 13 and 14 regarding the GNWT's proposed highway toll.

According to deputy finance minister Margaret Melhorn, the GNWT has calculated the following figures on the impact of the highway toll: a typical household of three people who consumes 2,000 litres of gasoline per year, 21,000 kilograms of groceries annually and 3,200 litres of heating fuel per year will pay an additional $38 yearly for gasoline, $50 for groceries and $60 for heating fuel. That amounts to $148 in extra expenses due to the proposed highway toll.

The government's attempt to offset higher prices is through an increase in the cost-of-living tax credit.

A wage earner with an income of $48,000 will gain an additional $132 each year. Those fortunate enough to be pulling in a salary of $66,000 will see their cost-of-living tax credit rise by $177, the maximum amount. Dual income households may actually realize a substantial windfall.

On the other hand, there are low-income families that will undoubtedly consume more than accounted for in the aforementioned example, and will receive a cost-of-living tax credit well below the maximum.

The extra expenses attributed to the highway toll don't take into account a variety of other goods and services that will become more costly due to the highway toll. Everything that is transported by truck to Fort Simpson from south of the NWT border is expected to increase by 2.6 cents per kilogram. If you're expecting to make some big-ticket purchases in the future, you're going to have to dig deeper in your pocket.

Maybe the math has your head spinning; welcome to the club. Hopefully we'll see you at the public meetings next month.

Remember, if the public and business community express enough opposition, there's a chance the government will back away from the proposed toll. The hotel tax never became a reality. This latest scheme could wind up in the same file.

Rocky roads

Driving in the North comes with a risk attached, especially for those from down south. Two men from Saskatchewan barely escaped with their lives after smacking right into four bison recently.

Sure, there are warning signs posted but many people disregard traffic signs, particularly at night, to their own peril. Bison don't reflect very well in headlights when you're approaching them at approximately 100 km/h in the dark. Try to keep the mighty beasts in mind.