Friday, February 4, 2005
Zoe was talking about the scandal that brought him down as Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs last May.
We know now what we didn't know then, that it was Legion President Lloyd Lush who blew the whistle on Zoe's bad behaviour at the club. Lush wrote a letter to Premier Joe Handley detailing how an "intoxicated" Zoe made abusive remarks about Newfoundlanders.
While Lush may have broken Legion rules, he performed a public service in revealing the unacceptable behaviour of the politically powerful. The club is private, but as a minister and an MLA, Zoe was a public figure and had to be held to a higher standard than regular Legion members.
Judging from the anger directed at Lush, Zoe still doesn't understand the role of a territorial cabinet minister, which is why he no longer is one and should never be again.
The most unfortunate consequence, aside from the discomfort he caused people at the Legion, was the loss of an important Dogrib voice in cabinet.
Zoe abused the faith Dogrib voters placed in him.
The other politician involved in the Legion affair, Premier Joe Handley, also made a mistake, however well-intentioned. Handley wrote a letter to help Lush defend himself against accusations from members that he had breached Legion rules in the Zoe case.
Handley's letter states Zoe was not fired from cabinet because of anything that happened at the Legion.
That statement contradicted the truth, which Handley acknowledged in last Friday's Yellowknifer.
Yellowknifer first learned of Handley's letter in September 2004. Legion manager Lorne Power complained about a story reporting Zoe being charged with resisting arrest. The Sept. 29 story referred to Zoe's firing from cabinet because of his behaviour at the Legion. Power insisted to Yellowknifer editors that Zoe had not been fired because of anything that happened at the Legion and he had a letter from the premier proving it.
Yellowknifer editors asked to see the letter. While Power was considering that request, Yellowknifer editors went to the Hansard of May 28. There Handley clearly states Zoe had been fired from cabinet because of what happened at the Legion.
Power never sent a copy of the Premier's letter and editors were left wondering if such a document existed. We know now Power was telling the truth, even if the letter didn't.
That should be a lesson for the premier: don't write letters that contradict the truth, even if you think it's for a good cause. Only bad can come from it.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
One wouldn't think there would be too many youth issues being studied in the United Kingdom capable of sending a red flag in Nunavut's direction.
However, research done by London University's Institute of Education shows youth centres being run without proper programming may do more harm than good.
In fact, the research suggests many teenagers would be better off spending their evenings in front of the TV than going to their youth club.
The problem stems from the fact too many youth centres simply provide a place for teenagers to hang out rather than offering any form of constructive programming.
When it comes to the habits of an average teenager on any continent, the study seems to add credence to the adage that idle hands are, indeed, the devil's workshop.
London University's research found that teenagers who spend time in unfocused youth facilities tend to produce poor exam results and are more easily led into a life of crime and drugs.
We tip our hat to the British for getting our attention on the issue, but the conclusion that groups of bored teenagers hanging out together can lead to unacceptable behaviour is hardly earth-shattering news.
That being said, the study does remind us that simply giving youth a place to go is not the answer to curing all their social ills.
Out of sight, out of mind, are hardly words to live by when it comes to positive parenting skills.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) president Paul Kaludjak alluded to the need for more youth centres during NTI's annual general meeting in Rankin Inlet this past year.
Kaludjak scored a bull's-eye when he said these centres should be set up in a way for elders and youth to spend more time together and for youth to take part in constructive programming.
In short, simply opening a building or finding a space available with a few video games and a ping-pong table just doesn't cut it.
Proper planning has to be put into our youth centres and it has to involve input from the youth - that's input, not infinite direction.
While you can't put the fox in charge of the henhouse, you also can't create a scenario where the youth are receiving nothing more than what adults have decided is right for them - another point made by the British study.
Youth centres can be effective, but only when their programming is properly structured.
And that entails proper planning and consultation to put in place a well-balanced program that youth enjoy and are willing to participate in.
The effective youth program run this past summer in Rankin shows these goals can be reached.
However, if adults in any given community aren't willing to put in the effort to help structure their teens' leisure time, they shouldn't be too shocked by how they may choose to spend it.
And we don't need London University to tell us that!
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
All around the region there are buildings of historical significance in various states of disrepair.
In Tsiigehtchic, efforts are currently underway to get the Catholic Church there recognized as an historic site. Thus far $10,000 has been provided to research other buildings of historical importance in the hamlet for potentially similar status.
In Aklavik, the old Catholic church ‚ still a beautiful structure ‚ no longer hosts parishioners. The door is nailed shut and its history is largely unknown to visitors left outside in the cold to ponder the past significance of such a place.
Just down the road the old Aklavik Museum's doors are wide open and snow drifts collect around and inside the entrance.
Drive to Fort McPherson and have a look around there. Broken down buildings ‚ some more than a century old ‚ are plentiful.
The time for Lucy Adams cabin, built in the '40s just outside Inuvik, is running out. Already sitting precariously on the edge of an eroding shoreline, it is predicted the sod roof structure will fall into the river this spring.
While having a particular building declared an historic site is one step towards preservation of the region's and the territory's architectural history, that status does not provide for upkeep.
What the territory needs is to establish some kind of fund for the maintenance of these places.
It's true that tourists visiting the North come for the wide open spaces and regional flora and fauna. It is also true that among these tourists exists an element that gets very excited when they see some tangible evidence of the past.
Unfortunately, the line between historical site and surplus infrastructure can be blurry, as in the case of Sir Alexander Mackenzie school (SAMS). This majestic wooden structure could face the wrecking ball when the GNWT and District Education Authority finally settle on a plan to replace the aging elementary school.
Along with Ingamo Hall and the Igloo Church, SAMS school is synonymous with the Inuvik landscape. Upon my arrival in town, it was the first building I took particular notice of and after spending so much time there covering various events, I've fallen in love with the place.
Many will agree that when it goes, something will be sorely missing from Inuvik. Which is why something needs to be done to preserve what remains in terms of the land's architectural history and protect threatened landmarks.
Similar to preserving language, there will be no immediate recoup of any investment made to tackle the job of protecting heritage buildings. The pay off will come from the pride beautification and preservation, particularly of historic sites, can give to a community's residents. The other spin off will be a more satisfied tourist who returns home with a little more than just tales from around the campfire.
Enhancing Northern tourism means showcasing the culture of Northern communities and that includes preserving historic sites.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh cho Drum
It seems we spend a lot of time lately trying to identify the potential impacts of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
It's difficult to pinpoint them all, of course. Nobody will know the full extent of pipeline "side effects" until the project comes to fruition, but we can't let that stop us from trying to be as prepared as possible.
Among the anticipated "infrastructure" impacts is the onslaught of heavy truck traffic. Flatbeds, tankers and tractor-trailers will be coming and going at a rate never before experienced in the Deh Cho. It's been pointed out that all those heavy trucks will erode roads and highways, which are already in poor condition compared to many other areas of Canada. There's been talk of forcing the oil and gas companies to ante up for repairs and maintenance of our highways.
It doesn't seem too much to ask.
There are other consequences of having so much heavy traffic on the road, and that's the hazard it poses to other drivers. The series of accidents on Highway 3 over the weekend is a prime example. The big trucks kick up a lot of powdery winter snow, making it temporarily impossible for oncoming drivers to see. Heaven forbid getting stuck behind one of the big trucks because the whiteout conditions are horrendous.
Drivers following these enormous workhorse vehicles are often itching to pass, and therefore sometimes get closer to the semi than they should. That's a life-jeopardizing move.
Realistically, unless the truck diver heads into a roadside pull-out (which is rare because they're on tight schedules), there's nothing for drivers to do other than slow down, grin and bear it.
This is something that Deh Cho motorists will be facing on a regular basis if and when the pipeline is built. The truck traffic here will resemble that of northern Alberta and B.C., if not heavier at times.
Unfortunately we don't have paved highways in some cases.
Who among us hasn't experienced the rear end of the vehicle swinging wildly after hitting a pitted section of dirt road commonly known as "washboard," even at speeds below the posted limits? Let's hope none of us is in the precarious situation of having that experience when a huge flatbed truck with a 20-tonne load is coming in the other direction.
The pipeline can bring some short-term jobs that will pay well. It can provide lucrative business opportunities. The project can also prompt benefits such as expanded cell phone coverage.
What it won't do is make our roads safer. That's something we'll be reminded of every time we climb behind the wheel and head out on the highway.
In the "boom" years ahead, we're going to need the Department of Transportation to be more vigilant than ever in keeping the roads as clear and smooth as possible.