Editorial page

Friday, December 20, 2002
Shame, Iqaluit, shame

An estimated 200 people went hungry in Iqaluit last week because food bank shelves were empty. Despite energetic efforts of some 15 volunteers, there just weren't enough edible goods to feed hungry city residents.

We, the people who call Iqaluit home, should be ashamed of ourselves.

Surely a city boasting some 6,200 residents could find the resources to feed three per cent of the population.

That we couldn't help just 200 people -- many of whom are single parents with young children -- clearly shows how far we've strayed from traditional values of sharing and compassion.

Food bank officials estimate clients go home with $40-$50 worth of groceries every Saturday. Canned fruit, vegetables, meat, flour, sugar, tea, pasta and sauce help stave off the pangs of hunger every weekend. And yet, as a community, we couldn't find it in our hearts or wallets to donate a mere $50 to help feed our neighbours.

For many Iqalungmiut, such a cash donation would mean enduring personal hardship.

After all, $50 is a hefty amount for some people to give up. There are other ways to help alleviate hunger, though.

As Inuit have done for decades, inviting a family in for a meal helps, as does sharing meat from a successful hunting or fishing trip. The food bank also needs help stocking their shelves and packing groceries for their clients. These kinds of donations are free.

For the more wealthy, more fortunate residents of the city, $50 is pocket change.

It's what gets spent on luxury grocery items, a new piece of jewelry, four packages of cigarettes, or beer money at the bars on Friday night. The residents who can afford to give $50 but don't bear the brunt of the shame.

Granted, by purchasing tickets to First Air's annual President's Charity Ball, many corporate, government and private sector folks made a $16,200 donation to the food bank possible.

The airline's incredible donation ensured the food bank will feed people for months to come. The generous gift also means food bank volunteers have the breathing room to develop long-term solutions and can now look at ways to branch out to help the rest of the territory.

However, the responsibility to help community members survive did not end when the music stopped at First Air's party.

We are all on the hook to make this community a better place to live.

Anyone who earns a salary in this city is morally required to donate money to the food bank. For those who cannot afford to give from their coffers, volunteering at the food bank is just as worthy of a donation.


Use it or lose it

Use them or lose them should the slogan adopted by the Northwest Territories after the latest figures showing a steady decline in the number of aboriginal language speakers.

English is the working language in this country and that's not going to change. So if we are hoping to have Dene, North Slavey, and South Slavey speakers in 20 years, every community must take language matters into their own hands.

It is your job to sell the kids on speaking aboriginal languages. Convincing them that culture is cool and finding a way to speak first languages at home is half the battle. If that is won, learning the language will seem more of a natural progression not a chore.

And having aboriginal language classes in schools is a starting point but it is only the appetizer. It is up to parents, grandparents and entire communities to serve up daily conversation in their mother tongue.

This type of immersion is the only way to ensure the future of aboriginal languages in the NWT. We are under much more pressure than our neighbours in Nunavut. In Canada, about 64 per cent of the population whose mother tongue is Inuktitut live in Nunavut.

It is much easier to keep language alive when the majority speaks the same language, and there are only two official languages, three including the federally mandated French. But this is not the case in the NWT where there are eight official languages.

We cannot wait for the education system or the territorial government to save aboriginal languages. If we do, perhaps there will be no South Slavey speakers when we do another language survey in five years. Between 1996 and 2001, the number of South Slavey speakers dropped from 2,080 to 1,005.

A new year starts soon. A resolution to speak the language of our ancestors is long overdue. It's up to you.


Bar owners take notice

It was centred in Hay River, but owners of licensed establishments across the North should pay attention to the shockwaves from a hearing earlier this month.

The NWT Liquor Licensing Board handed down suspensions and fines to three Hay River pubs for allowing drunkenness on their premises.

In one case, an 80-year-old woman at the Caribou lounge was allowed to get intoxicated to the point of vomiting and passing out at a table, then left there after closing time. We agree with the board member who said he was disgusted.

Unfortunately, there are individuals passed out on bar stools every day across the North. Apparently owners don't generally consider vomiting drunks bad for business, but they should pay attention to the board's hard line on the matter.

We hope the Caribou's 30-day licence suspension gets the message across.


Keeping with the festive spirit

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News


We here at Kivalliq News would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone across our region a happy holiday season and best wishes for the year to come.

Our next edition, Year in Review, will look back at the year that was in the Kivalliq and start us on our journey into 2003.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, we have a few Christmas wishes and gift ideas to pass along as we close out the year.

To Baker Lake MLA Glenn McLean we send a life-sized cut-out of Arviat MLA Kevin O'Brien before he became House speaker.

Hopefully, the image will bring back memories of a time when McLean wasn't the only Kivalliq MLA constantly pressuring the Nunavut government for answers to questions of importance for our region.

For O'Brien, we send one stardust wish to use in hopes of dispelling the rumour Nunavut Liberal MP Nancy-Karetak Lindell is going to return to territorial politics and vie for the Arviat seat.

To Karetak-Lindell we send a coupon good for spending one full day with Toronto Maple Leafs mascot Carleton in an arena of her choice, during which time neither will be asked to toe the party line.

To Nanulik MLA James Arvaluk we send words to live by: A great mind is a terrible thing to waste.

To Manitok Thompson we send one get-out-of-the-premier's-doghouse-free card for the next time she goes to bat for her constituents in Rankin South-Whale Cove.

To Jack Anawak we send a map of the Kivalliq so he can find his constituents in the riding of Rankin North before the next election.

We also send stocking stuffers of a bronzed miniature stack of crushed cans from the local dump and a piece of plastic artificial ice to commemorate all he has done for his riding during the past three years.

To Akulliq MLA Ovide Alakannuaq we send a booklet containing 50 reasons why Rankin North MLAs shouldn't pick his riding to run in during the next election.

We also send Alakannuaq one free photo copying coupon in case he thinks the booklet would make interesting reading for any of his Kivalliq counterparts.

To ministers Ed Picco and Kelvin Ng we send a framed portrait of the latest artistic rendition of the Rankin Inlet Regional Health Centre.

And, finally, to Premier Paul Okalik we send a new set of goalie gear and an invitation to bring his government team to Rankin Inlet for a friendly game against the local PPD squad.

May these gifts be received in the spirit for which they were intended. Merry Christmas everyone.


Warming woes

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum


There is little question the planet is warming and it's nice to see Canadian researchers carrying the ball for this new sea ice project up near Tuk.

Scientists from all over the world will converge on our part of the world, to help understand what's going on here and with the planet.

Down South, they aren't feeling the change in weather as much as we are here, but when they do, they'll look North to the answers that were found here.

Perhaps it's a bit late coming, but it's heartening to see Canada is putting its money where it mouth is.

Bingo boondoggle

I had a glimpse into the savage world of bingo recently and even played a few games in that last big jackpot.

I couldn't believe the lineups to get cards at the New North offices and talking with Paul Komaromi really opened my eyes to this game that is Inuvik's obsession.

Millions of dollars flow into that office each year through the sale of those cards and while bingo may raise a lot of money for local charities, it likely takes a lot away too.

It's easy to recognize the problems of alcoholism when you have to step over it in the street, but other addictions are not so noticeable.

Bingo is shrugged off and laughed at here as a playful activity, but when people are spending hundreds of dollars on a game, I have to wonder what they and their families might be going without, so they can play that game.

Hello, goodbye

As you read this I've already flown South to visit family for the holidays and will be continuing further south after Christmas to Mexico, but will be returning Feb. 1.

I leave you in the capable hands of Tara Kearsey, currently a court reporter for Northern News Services in Yellowknife, who will take the reigns of the Drum as acting editor while I'm gone and then take over from Lynn Lau as Delta bureau chief for News/North. This will be Kearsey's second tour of duty for NNSL in the Delta.

It's been a real pleasure for me to work with Lynn and I'm the second saddest guy in town to see her go.

Personable and professional, Lynn is one of the best journalists I've ever worked with and never too busy to share a smile.

Good luck in your travels Lynn and I'm hoping Charlie can sweet talk you back here very soon.

Last Drum of the year

There will be no Drum next Thursday, because of the Boxing Day holiday.

I hope you all have a very, merry Christmas!


Getting a share of the pie

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum


The Acho Dene Koe First Nation is about to up the ante in the oil and gas game.

The Liard band wants royalties.

For the past several years, multi-nationals and junior companies have extracted enormous volumes of natural gas from the Liard area. That's not to say Acho Dene Koe (ADK) has received nothing in return. With the advent of industry, the First Nation has supplied a steady supply of jobs and training for its people. It has built businesses and joint-ventures (ADK Holdings reported $38 million in revenues in 2000). Admittedly, there has been a learning curve as well.

Oil and gas companies have also been tapped for all kinds of donations, such as a $50,000 contribution to Echo Dene school's literacy program a few years ago.

Now, more than ever, the Liard band realizes the value of the abundant natural resources within its traditional lands. The ADK is demanding a percentage of the federal government's oil and gas royalties. But why should it stop there?

The federally levied royalties in the NWT are among the lowest in the world. The ADK should not only fight for its fair share of those royalties, but a profit-sharing deal directly with industry. The band can't drive the price too high for fear of driving away the bidders, but there surely must be room for the wealthy oil and gas companies to negotiate.

That additional money could be used to bolster existing ADK businesses and create new ones. It could be applied to housing, education or health and social services. Although these sectors are largely the responsibility of the government, it makes sense for aboriginal peoples to enhance existing programs wherever possible. It's their own people who will gain.

When it comes to royalties, let the free market bear what it will.

It's a long ride

Let's hope Deh Cho and federal negotiators are right when they say that few people attended some of the consultation sessions because they're already in tune with what's going on.

Self-government decisions being made today, even in these initial stages, will have a profound impact on the Deh Cho.

There is a long way to go in Deh Cho Process negotiations, but now is the time to get involved.

Happy holidays

Merry Christmas to all readers. Hopefully you enjoy warm, joyous and relaxing holidays.

Please try to keep in mind those who are alone or who have lost family members. By extending an invitation to share in your festivities, you may not be providing a solution to their problems but it might be greatly appreciated.

The next edition of the Deh Cho Drum will be on Jan. 2.