Wednesday, January 4, 2006
We're not talking to the five candidates; we're talking only to you, the voter.
The first half of this campaign was a wash. We were focused on getting ready for the Christmas or holiday season that ended with New Year's Day.
Let's recap. Conservative leader Stephen Harper was rather amusing with the three full-sized fully-armed military icebreakers he'd stash in a new deep sea port in Iqaluit. Liberal honcho Paul Martin got another scandal to add to his party's portfolio. And New Democrat boss Jack Layton sought to repeat socialist history with a dogsled ride on Back Bay.
Whoopee. But let's not get the federal election blues. Voters need to take a careful look at Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew, NDPer Dennis Bevington, Conservative Richard Edjericon, Green Alex Beaudin and independent Jan H. van der Veen of Fort Simpson.
One of them will represent Northern interests in Ottawa. Whether he or she sits with the government or in opposition, voters need to listen closely to what these candidates have to say and get clear answers to our questions so that we know they'll be worthy of serving NWT residents.
Don't pay attention to the rather lame argument "the same crowd will get in again."
Last time, Bevington needed only 53 more friends to put him into the House of Commons. Your lone vote could be the difference in this, the Battle of Yellowknife. Please use it.
It's Jan. 4 and we bet that many of the resolutions people made to start 2006 have already been broken. It's not too late to try again.
Anyone who wants inspiration need look no further than to Axelle Kearnan and seven other Polar Bear swimmers who tested their mettle in a recent 10,000 metre swim.
Axelle is just 16 but knows how to push past the pain. She was the only one of the eight to complete the swim and needed just an extra five minutes to do it.
Instead of being daunted by the distance, she took "baby steps" aiming for small goals along the way. Her strategy succeeded.
There's much in life that's scary and makes us want to retreat to a safe place.
Instead, let's learn from Axelle that we can overcome big obstacles by setting small goals that can be achieved.
Before you know it, the big task won't seem so large any more. Give it a try.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
As we look ahead to a promising new year, we'd like to take a moment to thank all those who have helped Kivalliq News grow right along with our territory.
First and foremost, we'd like to thank all our readers for your continued support because without you, there'd be no need for us.
The efforts of associate editor Mikle Langenhan must also be acknowledged. It's thanks to her that readers are able to enjoy the news in their native Inuktitut.
Being a regional newspaper in the Kivalliq has its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to highlighting accomplishments in every community.
We simply wouldn't be able to do it if not for the good folks who pass along tips and photos of those who strive to improve quality of life in their communities.
That list of people includes Gord Billard in Arviat, whose photos from various school and community events, as well as the efforts of the Qitiqliq Music and Drama Club, have brought a smile to the face and a tear to the eye of many people across the region.
Words sometimes don't seem adequate enough to properly thank Leonie Aissaoui of Repulse Bay for all her contributions to the Kivalliq News during the past decade.
There's rarely news in Repulse that Leonie doesn't pass along to us, and for that we are eternally grateful.
For the past year or so, we have been fortunate enough to receive photos and news items from students in the Jonah Amitnaaq Multi-Media Club in Baker Lake.
These kids do a wonderful job in their community and we appreciate them sharing their budding talents with our readers.
While we're dealing with Baker, we'd also like to tip our pens to Tania Marsh, Bill Cooper and Jim Kreuger for taking the time to highlight your community's traditional artists, developing athletes, and young students and scientists.
To Glen Brocklebank and his significant other, Anna, as well as RCMP Const. Allan Nickerson in Chesterfield Inlet - thanks for all the great items of the past year and we look forward to more.
To Noel Kaludjak and Bruce and Leonie McKitrick in Coral Harbour, thanks for everything and all the best in the new year.
Lest we leave the impression only folks outside of Rankin Inlet lend us a hand, we have a few thank yous to pass along here too.
Thanks to Doug and Karen McLarty for the great paper carriers of the past 10 years, and for realizing even the local editor can't be everywhere all the time.
Many a great McLarty photo has graced the pages of our newspaper.
A personal thank you to Sarah Ayaruak for always having the time to put a name to the faces who escape me.
Sarah has helped many a photo appear on our pages by knowing almost everyone who has ever lived in the region.
Thanks to all the teachers, recreation co-ordinators, SAOs and everyone else who took the time to send a photo or answer one of my seemingly endless questions.
And finally, to all those who advertised with the Kivalliq News during the past year, thanks for helping us keep the lights on.
It's been a great year, and we look forward to informing and entertaining you again in 2006.
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
National Energy Board hearings getting underway, followed by a federal election are just a few things we can expect early next year.
I am hesitant to say "look forward to" as a room full of lawyers and polling stations don't really breed too much excitement. However, both are important for the region and the country, but not the most festive things to be thinking about when there's turkey to be cooked, gifts to be bought and wrapped and friends and family to visit.
Personally, I'm looking forward to a few days off to tune out the world and relax around the tree.
The last thing I want to be doing is watching federal party leaders Paul Martin, Steven Harper and Jack Layton battle it out in soundbites on the TV. One can only hope these guys either turn it down a notch - at least until the hangover of New Year's has worn off - or actually start talking about the issues instead of trying to win the public over with cash handouts, tax cuts and new gun laws.
It's times like these that living in Inuvik is calming. At least we don't have the federal MP hopefuls lurking about ready to ambush us while we wait in the Northmart checkout line. Western Arctic candidates have vote-rich Yellowknife to battle for. That said, it would be nice if Inuvik could get a commitment from all four - Dennis Bevington (NDP), Richard Edjericon (Conservative), Ethel Blondin-Andrew (Liberal) and Alexandre Beaudin (Green) - to attend Inuvik's all-candidates debate Jan. 16., you know, a gesture of good faith and all to show the people they really care about this region.
Beaudin is a Yellowknife photographer and glass worker, and joined the campaign earlier this week.
The Delta is only standing on the edge of a $7 billion pipeline project so you think we'd warrant a co-ordinated visit by the candidates, to show that we actually matter, not just the gas underneath us.
Bevington has already thrown his hat in the ring but it won't be much of a debate if nobody else shows. Don't you just love our democracy in action?
Apart from peace on Earth, goodwill to everyone and a Sizzler Steakhouse gift certificate, my Christmas wish for the Delta is that serious planning begin on an all-weather road from Wrigley to Tuk. Then when it gets built, say sometime in the next five years if we're lucky, a gallon of milk won't cost more than a six-pack of beer during freeze up and break up periods.
(Funny how the price of booze never goes up during these periods.)
Next on the list would be an addictions treatment centre here in town, followed by an arts and cultural centre and, what the heck, a crack-free Inuvik in 2006! Sad to think that the odds on favourite is the gift certificate from Sizzler - about the only item that fat guy in the red suit could deliver. I mean who's really going to pin their hopes on the government delivering anything apart from the usual.
This year I resolve not to vote for anybody who won't bother attending the all-candidates debate in Inuvik.
I could have said I'll quit smoking or staying up late watching pay-TV but I'm not sure I can take the guilt of eventually breaking those. So I figure my vote resolution is an easy one to keep and one others should consider.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
There are times when it feels like saying thank you just isn't enough.
This is one of those times.
As many of you know, my wife Val and I are leaving for Halifax (actually she's already been there for the past three months and, believe me, I miss her).
Our reason for leaving is a personal one: it's family.
The Deh Cho has given us so much over the past seven and a half years. We've been made to feel warmly welcomed. But our parents are on the East Coast, and the time has come to be close to them again.
Leaving isn't easy, though.
We have grown fond of the beautiful land, the wonderful people and the casual lifestyle here. It's been a richly rewarding time in our lives.
My days in the Deh Cho have taught me more than I could have ever imagined.
I owe so much to all those who took time out of their day - as some of you did on a weekly basis - to help form each edition of this newspaper.
I'm also indebted to everyone who sent in photos, especially the regular contributors.
When I'm down south and people ask me what life is like in this part of the North, I'll tell them about the Dene and Metis and how they are striving to protect the land and their language; how they are trying to retain their storied culture, a culture they generously shared with me and others.
At the same time, I'll say, these admirable aboriginal people are aiming to assert themselves and take control of governance and industrial development in an ever-changing world.
I'll also be sure to mention the incredibly dedicated professionals and volunteers I met in the Deh Cho: education and health staff, justice workers, recreation directors, firefighters, and, yes, local politicians.
This diverse group of people didn't always see eye-to-eye, but these individuals were, without a doubt, doing their utmost to better their communities.
"Wow, that sounds like a perfect place to live," some people might say.
I will reply, "No, of course it's not perfect.
"Like every other place it has its problems.
"But, all in all, I sure do hope to go back again someday."
Until then, thank you so much for allowing me to tell your stories.
I wish you the merriest of Christmases and all the best in the new year. Mahsi cho.
P.S. If you want to stay in touch you can reach me at dehchoderek@yahoo.com
In the Friday, Dec. 30 edition of Yellowknifer, the story "High hopes for 2006" contained incorrect information. Rosalie Power has in fact worked for the mayor's office for 10 years. She has been in Yellowknife 30 years. Yellowknifer apologizes for the error.