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Diabetes among First Nations is three times the national average and, in the NWT, the native population outnumbers non-natives. And according to a Health Canada study in 2000, aboriginal women have over five times the rate of diabetes compared with women in the general population, and aboriginal men have over three times the corresponding rate.
Earlier this month the Canadian Diabetes Association gave the NWT a C grade after conducting a study. The report praised the NWT for having lots of drugs and supplies, and for participating in the creation of a national diabetes registry.
However, the study concluded the NWT has few diabetes-focused partnerships with non-profit organizations, no diabetes-specific programs, and no dedicated funding for diabetes at the territorial level.
Mabel Wong runs the diabetes education program in Yellowknife, which has helped 500 patients in the NWT since it began in 1996. The program was given an award by the Canadian Diabetes Association in 2000.
Wong knows first-hand the gaps that exist in the current system when it comes to diabetes. "That's the issue here. There is no strategy," said Wong. "We haven't much money, and we've done our very best."
After being presented with the award in 2000, Wong said, "Imagine what we could do with more funding."
The GNWT has to identify who has diabetes, who is at risk, and pay for community programs to educate the population. That is the only way we can prevent the disease from reaching epidemic levels.
Who knows? Maybe it already has.
Along with the bright lights and colourfully decorated trees, Christmas is associated with generosity.
But was it not Yellowknifers' customary generosity that donated more than $40,000 for the families of firefighters killed in the World Trade Centre attack three months ago?
We showed our hearts again at the Festival of Trees, raising $55,000.
There's also the $11,000 donated by the Legion to the Salvation Army, Food Bank and Women's Shelter. Add in $5,000 presented to the Food Bank by the Elk's Club and $1,000 from the Royal Purple.
And then there are those helping the Salvation Army feed and provide presents to 400 needy Yellowknife families.
It's heartwarming that Yellowknifers are ready, and more than willing, to help all year long.
Following Wednesday's editorial on the cost of the conflict of interest complaint against Health Minister Jane Groenenwegen, we got a complaint from inquiry chairperson and Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell.
The editorial was critical of the $600,000 spent to determine Groenenwegen had broken a minor conflict of interest rule. Yellowknifer stands by that comment.
However, Bell pointed out the inquiry's real value. That would be exposing the bad behaviour of the health minister and two of the highest ranking staff hired by Premier Stephen Kakfwi.
We have to agree with Bell on that.
Editorial Comment
As 2001 winds down, perhaps the late John Lennon best summed up the current state of affairs in the Kivalliq when he sang, "Strange days, indeed. Most peculiar, mamma."
Let's see if we've got this one right. Atuqtuarvik Corp. loans the Qikiqtaaluk Corp. the money to pay the Sakku Investments Corp.'s share in a joint business venture. Qikiqtaaluk Corp. ends up taking Sakku to court to force it to pay back its share of the loan.
Atuqtuarvik Corp. then lends Sakku the money to pay back the Qikiqtaaluk Corp. the money it borrowed from Atuqtuarvik to begin with. Got it? The Atuqtuarvik Corp. was started by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., which just recently "loaned" Sakku a bushel of money to pay down its debt, which obviously didn't include the $700,000 or so Sakku owed the Qikiqtaaluk Corp.
This, of course, is all designed to promote business opportunities for the benefit of Kivalliq Inuit through job creation, training and skills transfer and increased business growth for Inuit entrepreneurs.
Now that we have that straight, we just have one question. Wouldn't every corporation be able to declare an impressive profit margin in its last fiscal year if it simply just didn't pay any of its bills? If this is not enough to have you shaking your head, ponder this one: most of the personalities involved with these companies and corporations can't figure out how Cathy Towtongie won the NTI election.
Cabinet shuffle a good one
The worst kept secret in the capital became a reality this past Monday when Premier Paul Okalik announced his cabinet shuffle. The changes Okalik made in splitting Public Works and Housing were good ones. Although Manitok Thompson did a good job managing the combined portfolio, the Department of Community Government and Transportation (CG&T) needs help.
With her previous MACA experience, Thompson is the ideal choice to get the department back on track.
With Okalik's cabinet shuffle, the capital rumour mill now has one or two high-ranking officials fearing for their jobs.
We hear one deputy minister may soon be travelling a lost highway to oblivion, rather than one bridging Manitoba to the Kivalliq. And, if all unfolds the way we hear, that deputy minister will be dropping off his current boss at the CLEY office along the way. Okalik is showing signs that 2002 may usher in a new era in the capital, one in which the premier is actually going to demand results. Now that he's shown the fortitude to put a political bullet in the chamber, let's hope he also has the wherewithal to pull the trigger if the need arises.
Editorial Comment
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
The stockings are hung by the chimneys, or windows, with care. Bright lights decorate homes everywhere, providing some welcome brightness in the absence of the sun.
It's said Christmas is for kids, and certainly lots of excitement can be spotted in the eyes of many youngsters, as they anticipate what they'll find under the Christmas tree, and have fun picking out gifts for friends and family.
But adults share in the experience as well, remembering Christmases past and catching up with family members and old friends.
Indeed, friendship and fellowship are the hallmarks of the Christmas season. Peace is another result, and especially a desire for world peace. That holds special meaning this yuletide season, with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath.
On a more local level, this is the perfect time of year to mend fences with a neighbour or former friend, or even just to call up an old friend out of the blue.
Many school and church concerts take place this time of year as well. They provide youngsters valuable experience in singing or otherwise performing with a group, and in front of an audience. They also have a lot of fun in the process, and are left with lasting memories.
Speaking of which, the Sir Alexander Mackenzie school Christmas concert takes place today at 7 p.m.
Adults and youngsters often partake in another great tradition, namely singing carols at street corners or going door to door. Sending beautiful notes wafting through the still, crisp air warms up all those within earshot. Hot chocolate afterwards adds to the experience too.
One of my favourite Christmas Eves was a quiet, calm evening outside, and quiet within the house too due to a power failure. Without the television or radio or other electronic gadgets, it truly was a silent night.
Speaking of which, Silent Night and O Holy Night would rank among my favourite Christmas carols.
May you have a merry, merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Editorial Comment
One man turned Fort Simpson village council upside down Monday night.
That's no exaggeration.
Paul Gammon, newly elected but long on experience, convinced other councillors to do away with the planned
in-camera session on the agenda. The topic -- the legal battle over the sewage treatment plant -- was still discussed, but it was addressed in the open. Gammon says there's no need for in-camera sessions. Period. If it's a personnel matter, the senior administrative officer can sort it out. That's what she is paid to do, he argued.
Legal issues? Well, those aren't taboo either, he said. As a matter of fact, he argued that in-camera meetings are the very reason why the village has so many legal problems.
Needless to say, the merits of purchasing a laptop computer wouldn't qualify as in-camera material by those standards, but that didn't stop village council from discussing that very issue privately last month. Because of Gammon, Monday's meeting ran until nearly 11 p.m. He spent close to an hour of that time peppering senior administrative officer Bernice Swanson with questions about the draft 2002 budget. The other councillors sat silently the vast majority of that time, trying to follow along as Gammon scrutinized the budget line by line.
To Swanson's credit, she was not defensive. Rather, she welcomed the input and acknowledged an error when one was detected. Having only been on the job four months, she admitted that she is still on a learning curve. As well, she openly disagreed with the way former SAO Bruce Leclaire formulated budgets. She said his budgets were "padded." Gammon also demanded to have the role of mayor and council reviewed at an upcoming meeting. He wanted detailed listings of all payments made to mayor and council. He argued that all payments made to mayor and council should be approved at a council meeting before cheques are issued. He said he won't support any travel to conferences south of 60 unless a donation arrives from a business south of the NWT border first.
As much as his vast knowledge was a breath of fresh air, he advocated that the village bulldoze the troublesome sewage treatment plant and dump sewage into the Mackenzie River instead -- an antiquated idea. He also made a remark about the deputy mayor, who was not present, that could be considered slanderous. How is he going to follow up on such a conspicuous debut?
Vinegar or honey?
Village council is facing a tough decision in choosing the tactics it will employ as MACA funding cuts loom ($440,000 less next year). Council had secret financial negotiations with cabinet to take out some of the sting. In order to gain these concessions -- which haven't been disclosed, but would be if and when they are passed in the legislature -- council is expected to raise village revenues by increasing rates for services such as water and sewage. Now council is leaning in the opposite direction, opposing all tax and most service increases. Will standing nose-to-nose with the government prove more effective? The possibility of reverting to hamlet status continues. We'll see who blinks first.
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson