Wednesday, August 30, 2006
We said the sentence was overly harsh, compared to house arrest and suspended sentences handed down in Northern courts for convicted child molesters.
No, being a judge isn't easy, but neither is it easy for the public to understand why some serious crimes draw light punishments.
Nor will the public ever understand the reasoning behind a decision to allow a twice-convicted child molester to provide legal advice through the Centre for Northern Families.
Curiously, the judge who sentenced disgraced lawyer Charles McGee rejected a Crown request to bar him from performing community service in the presence of children under the age of 14. We hope the courts will rectify that earlier judgment and include just such an order in his next sentencing which doesn't happen until October 2006.
There's no evidence McGee has done anything wrong during the time he has volunteered at the Centre to fulfil a sentence on a 2004 conviction of two charges of indecent assault against young girls dating back to 1974.
But why the centre, which likes to promote itself as a champion of women's and children's rights, would welcome him is equally astounding.
Especially after McGee was convicted in June of a third indecent assault charge, this one dating back to the early 1980s.
This is a man who admitted in court to being sexually attracted to young girls but denies any wrongdoing in any of the cases for which he has been convicted.
Twice, the court has found McGee breached a level of trust, by molesting young girls over whom he had some authority.
It wasn't until parents who signed their children up for a new day care complained that Family Centre managers ordered McGee not to attend the facility while the day care is in operation.
However, women with children and legal problems could still go to his home for free legal advice. Doesn't that put him back into a position of trust?
We look to our judges, justice officials and social welfare agencies to stand up for community values, not turn a blind eye to them. One of those values is to ensure sex offenders aren't put into positions where they would be tempted to re-offend.
A bank wouldn't hire a convicted bank robber to sweep floors. Convicted child molesters shouldn't be allowed to perform community service anywhere near children or involving families in vulnerable situations.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
The debate did not take long to rage after federal Justice Minister Vic Toews indicated he was seriously considering lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 from its current 12.
There are two distinct lines of thought on this one.
Some learned professionals believe the cutoff age to rehabilitate a problem child is 12.
To them, the problem is the Liberals replaced the Young Offenders Act with the Youth Criminal Justice Act three years ago and decided youth under 12 couldn't comprehend the consequences of their actions.
To those who hold 12 up as the cutoff to rehabilitation, it's already too late.
On the other side of the coin are those who believe bringing problem youth into the courts at the age of 10 or 11 will serve only to perpetuate their anti-social behaviour.
They believe to put them into provincially-run programs and institutions at the age of 10 will accomplish nothing more than to produce a hardened criminal by age 12.
These are not new arguments, and some of the comments being thrown against the minister's statements amount to nothing more than knee-jerk reactions.
Those who say lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 would put us back in the dark ages must believe much of the world still resides in that era.
In fact, the average age of criminal responsibility around the globe is seven.
There are also those who would have you believe Toews is treading towards an unexplored area with his thinking.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's old haunt, the Reform Party, led the charge with a number of provinces about 10 years ago to have the age lowered to 10.
Why should any of this matter to us in the North?
The one thing both sides agree on is that the only effective way of turning problem kids around - whether through a state-run, mental-health or child-welfare program - is by having them entered into structured, multi-faceted programs that address their problems on a number of levels.
Problem youth who find their way into those programs have a chance of developing a sense of self-worth, of comprehending the consequences of their actions while they still care, and allowing their emotional development to proceed on a closer parallel to their cognitive development.
Sadly, there are no under-12 outreach programs run in the Kivalliq by the Child Development Institute.
Under current laws, Kivalliq youth under the age of 12 are not criminally responsible for their actions, and police can only suggest to parents that they be placed in outside care.
Maybe the system Toews envisions wouldn't be so bad for the North.
If the court's ability to place problem youth into rehabilitative programming translates into its obligation to do so - maybe some of our troubled youth actually end up in programs that can make a difference in their lives.
Maybe a second thought on the minister's proposal could lead to a second chance for a kid near you.
Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik Drum
There is something to be said for leaving your mark on the community. Some people choose to be leaders, improve our lives and impact our youth in positive ways.
Others choose a lower road and insist on getting our attention with senseless vandalism. Breaking windows, spray painting words and destroying property are all incidents we have seen recently.
I have been to many of the locations around town with plywood covering holes where glass once was. I have talked to disgruntled store owners and upset residents about the recent spate of damage.
It would seem that most of the blame is being directed once again toward our future, our youth - the young generation raised on video games and music television.
Maybe youngsters have too much time on their hands and feel that ruining other people's property or defacing public property is the best way to grab the attention of adults in town.
If town workers and shopkeepers are busy repairing windows and fixing other damage, they can't improve the town. They become too busy slapping kids on the wrists.
I can't prove it's kids who broke those windows, or it was kids who broke into those places and stole those things. What I can say, is that it looks bad on everyone.
Parents feel the burn of their peers and get blamed for being neglectful, which can lead to, God forbid, a cycle of verbal and physical abuse.
Teachers and other adults in the community may feel the effects of youth violence even more so than the parents.
I have a message to spread amongst the groups of youth who roam the streets at obscene hours of the day: if you feel the need to do something, feel free to hang out at the playgrounds. Try some new tricks out at the skate park or just walk around all night.
But please stop touching things that aren't yours, breaking things for no reason or leaving your mark in spray paint wherever you travel.
Just because your little gang thinks it's cool to write "west-side" on a building does not mean you have to do it. If you really wanted to prove your independence in the community, go get a job. Help some elders with their yard work, or just play nicely.
The costs of replacing windows can be expensive and wastes time. I hope the people who find joy in damaging other people's property get a wake up call of some sorts.
Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
After two years on the job, Chief Eric Betsaka is finishing his term in Nahanni Butte and planning to take a well deserved vacation.
Two years may not seem like a long time to hold down a position, but when that position is as a chief it can be long enough.
It's surely not an easy job and in the smaller communities in the Deh Cho it might be even harder.
In those communities everyone knows where you live and what your telephone number is.
There is never a moment when you aren't on the job.
Phone calls and unannounced visits can happen at any time of the day or night as people seek help and advice on a variety of wide-ranging topics from personal disputes to philosophical arguments.
It's no wonder that Betsaka said he feels a bit worn out. It also takes a special kind of person to be a successful chief.
A chief must have the ability to be both understanding and easy going while knowing when to draw a line.
They have to be able to listen to the opinions and concerns of their band members and find the path that will best fit for all.
They also have to deal with the hard reality that some people can be pleased some of the time, but all the people cannot be pleased all of the time.
It's often the displeased people who have the loudest voices. Chiefs also have to be multi-talented. Skills in accounting are a plus as there is seldom enough money for everything that is needed.
They also need to be able to run a meeting.
And to top it off, chiefs must be skilled at conflict resolution.
In a small community, chiefs also need to be willing to roll up their sleeves.
With fewer people to do the necessary work, heavier burdens often fall on those in charge. (As well as those around them - so surrounding yourself with good people is always a good move.)
Being a chief also involves a lot of homework.
They have to keep on top of developing regional and national issues that could affect their First Nation.
Situations are always changing and they need to have the most up to date information.
With so much to balance and so much at stake those who successfully take on the role of chief - or president in the case of Metis organizations - deserve a tip of the hat.
It's that time of year again when the streets are emptied of children during the morning and afternoons as they are herded back into school.
It's also the time of year that brings new teachers and principals to Deh Cho communities.
Coming into a new community is always a daunting prospect no matter where you are and the North is no exception.
Teachers may know how to teach, but they can also be taught by parents and students. There is much community members can show teachers to help them understand the differences of life in the North.
Every community has its own quirks and pace of life and community members can help new teachers understand what they may be so they adapt more easily to their new homes and jobs.
In any community it's the people who make visitors and newcomers feel welcome and ultimately help determine if they will stay for just as long as is required or become yet another person who came for a contract job and never left.
An error appeared in an article in last Friday's Yellowknifer, ("Pedophile lawyer told to stay away from family centre," Aug. 25). Charles McGee is no longer under house arrest.
Also, in Friday's Yellowknifer, the wrong business was identified in the article, "Judge rejects guilty plea, orders trial." Norman Charles Koe is charged with attempting to break into a Metcor office, which is owned by the North Slave Metis Alliance. Yellowknifer apologizes for any embarrassment or confusion caused by the errors.