Yellowknife (Mar 24/03) - Nunavut Emergency Management will host a territorial search and rescue conference in Rankin Inlet April 16-18 in partnership with the RCMP and the Canadian Coast Guard.

The conference will help communities better equip themselves to deal with emergency situations.

Subject matter will follow the Canadian Coast Guard instructor training, which will be held March 24-28 in Baker Lake.

Fake Inuit arts and crafts

Nattilik MLAs Uriash Puqiqnak spoke passionately against the sale of fake Inuit art last week.

Puqiqnak, who described himself as a proud carver, said he was upset over seeing mass-produced plastic carvings in a gift shop in Yellowknife.

"It's how I earned my living before becoming a member of the legislative assembly," he said.

"I feel they take away possible sales from carvers because tourists would rather purchase cheaper souvenirs," said Puqiqnak. "I consider those mass-produced souvenirs an insult to carvers."

Puqiqnak asked if the Government of Nunavut was doing anything to protect the carvers in the territory and promote authentic art.

The Minister for Sustainable Development, Olayuk Akesuk, said the territory cannot block imitation art. He added that through the Nunavut Development Corporation authentic art is marked and tagged.

He added he would try to work with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to find ways to better promote authentic Inuit art.

Over-quota charge

Nattilik MLA Uriash Puqiqnak raised concerned over the fact the Hamlet of Taloyoak was charged with going over their Narwhal quota.

"It is within our right to hunt and sustain ourselves. They used their right to hunt as Inuit when they caught this Narwhal, but then they were charged by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for going over the set quota," said Puqiqnak.

Under the law, the hamlet can now be fined for over-hunting.

Puqiqnak said the hunters don't mean to break the law, they are merely practising their way of life.

He asked the minister of Sustainable Development if he could help in the matter.

Olayuk Akesuk said he would try to talk to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but added the territory does not have jurisdiction in these matters.

Hunters and trappers need assistance

MLAs Ovide Alakannuark (Akulliq), Donald Havioyak (Kugluktuk), and Enoki Irqittuq (Amittuq) have been pushing to have hunting and trapping organizations in Nunavut receive more funding.

The three MLAs say they believe it is vital for the Government of Nunavut to support such organizations.

"The HTOs represent the majority of Inuit in Nunavut, more so than the other organizations and they look after many issues relating to wildlife, Inuit culture and indeed our livelihood. I have been informed that allocations from the territorial government are insufficient for contributing to their operations," said Alakannuark.

Minister of Sustainable Development Olayuk Akesuk said he would try and work with the HTOs to better arrange financial matters.

Better funding requested for youth centres

Kugluktuk MLA Donald Havioyak raised concerns that community youth centres need a better funding formula.

He said they need ongoing annual funding to be able to plan for the future.

Department of Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk said that wasn't in the cards at this time. He added that if required the department would review the issue.

Dangerous intersection

Iqaluit East MLA Ed Picco raised concerns over a dangerous intersection in the city.

The intersection is located adjacent to the Department of Fisheries building in Lower Tundra Valley.

There is no stop sign heading east approaching the intersection.

Picco said the fisheries building also creates a blind corner causing some near misses.

Picco added that last week there was a close call involving children playing near the intersection.

Residents are asking that the entrance of the side road at the intersection be made one-way or access blocked, according to Picco.