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We're too quick in this world to absolve ourselves of community responsibility. After all, why help ease the burden and shoulder the blame when it's so much easier to point fingers at others?
Take, for example, the three unsolved murders that plague the fair city of Iqaluit.
To date, the people responsible for killing Mary-Ann Birmingham in 1986, Shoatee Joannie in 1999 and Jennifer Naglingniq in 2002 continue to roam free.
Talk on the streets and in the coffee shops focuses primarily on the RCMP and their inefficiencies.
We're quick to hop onto our soapboxes to declare the city's police force not only inadequate, but racist.
Surely, the critics say, if Nunavut was staffed by competent, colour-blind cops, the perpetrators behind all three homicides would be jailed.
Such declarations are not only unfair, they're hard on the surviving family members of the murder victims.
Police solve crimes based on clues left at crime scenes. Testimony provided by witnesses plays a key role in backing up the evidence and by pointing police in the right direction. When witnesses don't come forward with crucial pieces of the puzzle, it can mean the difference between police locating a killer and the killer remaining free -- free to kill again.
Indeed, the history of the RCMP in Nunavut may make it hard to forgive and trust them. But, unless people conquer their suspicions and fear of the police, another killer will continue to reside in our midst.
Undoubtedly, there are people know who stabbed Mary-Ann more than 25 times before beating her to death. Someone knows who killed Shoatee by bludgeoning him. And, there are people in the capital who know what transpired the night Jennifer was killed.
Instead of blaming the police and condemning their work, we must look at ourselves and ask why we continue to protect murderers and hoard their dirty little secrets.
There is no shame in talking to the police and providing them with information relating to these homicides. The shame lies in protecting yet another killer.
We've said it before in this space: the time should fit the crime.
So let's take a look at two sentences handed down in the past week. One, for a series of break-ins around the city, was 41 months. The other, a sexual assault on a child, was two years less a day.
We're more concerned with the message sent by giving a child molester a jail term rather than something closer to the maximum 10-year prison sentence.
Prior to the sentencing of Bernard Michel, the Crown asked for a four-year term. Judge Ted Richard decided on a sentence of just under half that. The judge considered it a tough sentence. There are many who wouldn't.
Unlike many others, we have some faith left in the system, but short sentences like this make us shake our heads.
Those who feel the same should be taking time out to pressure the lawmakers in Ottawa for a longer minimum sentence in such cases.
Town councillors in Fort Smith are going to look a little foolish if they press the chamber of commerce to move out of its current location.
The chamber building is located in Conibear Park. The land was donated in the 1950s by the Conibear family, which wanted the park is to be used solely for residents' enjoyment, not business activity.
Council believes the chamber, which has been at the location for about 30 years, broke that agreement when it became an agent for the Department of Transportation last August.
But the chamber has been allowed to generate revenue for years and no one said a word. Chamber members have to pay annual fees to belong to the organization. Of course the dues are to cover expenses, not for profit. The government contract is the same, to cover the expenses for a non-profit group.
If the chamber is forced to move, town councillors will be responsible for having broken the agreement decades ago by allowing the chamber to conduct business in the park in the first place.
A little common sense is called for. The chamber is not a business and should be allowed to carry on its activities without being harassed by town council.
To some, the baggage left behind in the fuselage of a crashed Cessna is just "stuff."
Those suitcases are Frederick Andrew's last link to daughters Ashley, 18, and Lindsay, 11, who were killed in the crash on New Year's Eve of 2001.
Pilot Dana Wentzel and renowned Hay River fiddler Kole Crook also died in the crash, high on a mountain 50 kilometres from Fort Good Hope.
Andrew wants closure. Who wouldn't? He believed his daughters' belongings would be recovered last summer but that was a misunderstanding, says the RCMP. Crook's fiddle and travel bag were brought out.
Getting those suitcases out, especially the precious photographs and other mementoes from the girls' happy Christmas holiday, is important.
Lives must not be put at risk in getting back to the crash site, but helping a father heal from the death of two daughters must be a priority.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Rankin Inlet's Jordin Tootoo has been riding an ever-rising crest of popularity during the past few years.
And, there are few more deserving of the accolades.
Tootoo's attitude towards accommodating the requests of both friends and fans alike has been exemplary during his rise to prominence on the Canadian and international hockey scenes.
Almost always willing to give of his free time to make special appearances, visit schools and sign numerous autographs -- Tootoo has conducted himself as a true professional and an ambassador for Nunavut whom we can all be proud off.
However, with the rise in fame comes the inevitable group of people trying to make a buck off of Tootoo's popularity.
Professional athletes have to deal with autograph hounds on a daily basis, many of whom hang around hotel lobbies and arenas trying to get various memorabilia items signed for resale.
And, there's nothing illegal or wrong with that, as long as the athlete is accommodating.
Personally, once an athlete makes the "show" and is earning millions of dollars a year, I don't think they should lose too much sleep over the fact they don't earn a percentage from every item sold bearing their signature.
In fact, many athletes sign exclusive deals with professional dealers to sign photos, sticks, gloves, etc., adding another healthy stipend to their income.
Take it from someone who has been involved with collectibles for many years -- if you buy an autographed item over the Internet from someone you don't know, the words buyer beware ring true.
However, all that changes when a player signs items for friends and people he knows in his home town.
Tootoo learned early in the game to personalize most items he signs, adding personal value while greatly diminishing re-sale value.
It's a special thing to know such a popular athlete on a personal basis and anything he signs in that regard should be proudly displayed on one's wall or mantlepiece.
Recently, however, a number of items Tootoo has signed have been offered up for sale on the Internet.
This has the family upset and rightly so.
The written sales pitch on some of the items even claims they were signed in the home of Jordin's parents, Barney and Rose Tootoo.
This is the type of behaviour that can leave a bad taste in the mouth of a popular athlete and, in some cases, even lead to that athlete refusing autograph requests.
If you're among the people Tootoo is kind enough to sign items for here in Rankin, please recognize the special situation you're in and the special person Jordin is for doing this for you.
Display your item proudly and enjoy it for many, many years.
The money selling such an item puts in your pocket is not worth the disrespect you show in doing so.
Editorial Comment
Tara Kearsey
Inuvik Drum
It's outrageous that town council wants to waste $200,000 on luxury accommodations for stray dogs.
The public opposition shown at last week's council meeting should ring loud and clear to town administrators and councillors -- the public wants to see their hard-earned tax dollars put towards something everyone can benefit from.
Following are a few suggestions as to where council should spend our money.
Young people are bored, especially during the winter. Some of that money can go towards renovations at the youth centre or replacing the age-old exercise equipment at the Midnight Sun recreation complex.
Some less fortunate people in this town are homeless and do not have a warm bed to sleep in every night. If council wants to spend all that money on a new building, why can't they build a shelter for human beings instead of dogs?
How about buying new uniforms for the town's bylaw officers? At the Jan. 6 council meeting one councillor mentioned that a municipal enforcement officer is sporting an RCMP crest on his jacket.
RCMP? Bylaw officers are not trained as police officers and should not, in any way, be portrayed as such. We should be able to differentiate between apples and oranges. Shouldn't bylaw officers have their own identities?
These are just a few suggestions for councillors to ponder before their next meeting. Everyone in this town agrees that stray dogs are a problem. But it's been an ongoing problem for many years. Why flush $200,000 down the toilet now?
The town has more money now than it ever has, thanks to the oil and gas boom, population growth and a thriving tourism industry.
But just because there are more dollars in the town's account doesn't mean administrative staff should sit around dreaming up ridiculous ways to spend it all.
I only hope each and every councillor takes a good look at the big picture before supporting construction of a $200,000 dog pound. Take a stand and do what's right for everyone. The people of Inuvik deserve to be heard.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
Passport photos have long been a hassle for those in the Deh Cho.
There was once a businessman who offered the service in Fort Simpson, but no longer. For the past year there has been a void. Travellers from Deh Cho communities are forced to travel prior to their international vacation -- they must go to Yellowknife, Hay River, Edmonton or elsewhere to have their passport photos taken.
Ever since the terrorist attacks on the United States, we have been bearing hardships caused by tighter security measures.
The waiting periods at airports are much longer. Even harder to swallow, we've had to shell out a $24 security surcharge on airline tickets any time we fly south.
Not surprisingly, media reports have revealed that the airfare surcharge has resulted in a surplus, suggesting the government has overcharged travellers. Critics have called for a major reduction from $24.
Regardless, we must consider that these stringent standards have been implemented in our best interest. The government is looking out for the welfare of its citizens, trying to nab terrorists before they wreak havoc. Because of Sept. 11, 2001, we live in a world of heightened awareness.
When it comes to passports, the citizen's responsibility is not to leave the task until the last minute. Expecting to have a passport processed in a week or two isn't realistic.
But even for those who take action well in advance, the situation has gone from bad to worse.
Now passport photos are periodically being rejected by the Department of Foreign Affairs due to new security criteria. Among other things, regulations now prevent any shadow from appearing in the pictures.
The government, in its zeal to protect Canadians, must exercise some discretion. If one looks at the pictures of the two girls on page 3, there is minimal shadow. These pictures pose a breach of security?
Federal officials sitting in Ottawa clearly don't understand the burden some Northern residents face to obtain passport photos. To add exacting standards that may result in needless rejections is ludicrous.
Let's have some high-ranking federal bureaucrat fly to Yellowknife and then drive to Deh Cho communities to explain why regulations must be so rigid.
If local residents reject what they hear, they can invite that bureaucrat to drive back again for a second round of debate.
After experiencing the distance and road conditions involved, the picture will surely be a little clearer for those in Ottawa.
In a Jan. 13 interview with Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik, News/North published the wrong name of the premier's brother, whose correct name is Norman. The newspaper apologizes for this error.