Monday, October 16, 2006
Perhaps it is.
But before jumping to conclusions, let's remember that Dehcho First Nations, an umbrella group for 13 Dene and Metis organizations, has survived tremendous external and internal pressure in its pipeline and self-government negotiations over the past several years.
Through it all, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian has put the pipeline project in a negative light. The Dehcho's refusal to endorse the mega-project is seen as its greatest leverage in land claim talks with the federal government. As recent as August, Norwegian cautioned Deh Cho chiefs: "If you are going to go for the pipeline, you might as well sell out and give your land up because that, in fact, is what is happening as we speak."
While his sentiments haven't changed -- and neither have Fort Liard Chief Harry Deneron's, who remains adamantly pro-pipeline -- other Deh Cho leaders have wavered, but only to a degree.
When the Dehgah Alliance Society was created last year to represent Deh Cho communities along the pipeline corridor, there was concern that it would prove divisive. There was indeed friction with some Deh Cho communities not on the corridor but the region has remained, as much as ever, unified.
Fort Simpson's Liidlii Kue First Nation has for years openly pondered whether it should join the Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG). Chief Keyna Norwegian, has, however, made a key distinction even in light of last week's announcement: she will not support the pipeline until access and benefits agreements are concluded. Rather, she is seeking to ensure her band members do not miss out on financial benefits from the APG in the interim.
Since 2001, Dehcho First Nations has clung to a pipeline resolution from a special assembly in Wrigley. The terms and conditions were: the pipeline must be negotiated as part of the region's self-government deal; a resource revenue sharing agreement must be reached with the federal government; hunters and trappers along the pipeline route must give their consent for the pipeline project; the Dehcho must be a full participant in an environmental assessment; and impact benefits agreements and access fees must be arranged.
There has been nothing to indicate Dehcho members have abandoned their stated goals.
Eight dollars. That's all Qimaavik, the only transitional home for women in Iqaluit, has in its bank account.
Without an influx of cash from the territorial government, the shelter will close its doors.
That would be a tragedy for the dozens of women and children who pass through Qimaavik every year, seeking a haven from their abusive relationships.
Health and Social Services Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the government was committed to keeping the centre open, though she stopped short of promising more than its annual $600,000 stipend -- a total shelter workers said falls $200,000 short.
Aglukkaq suggested putting the shelter contract up for bidding, presumably hoping another company can wring blood from a stone.
Keeping the shelter doors open isn't enough. Qimaavik doesn't have enough money to pay staff competitive salaries, provide training for suicide prevention workers or cover its debt.
Here's hoping the territorial government can carve $200,000 a year from its $1 billion annual budget for its most vulnerable citizens.
While making money is usually a good thing, the glitter can often distract from the fact it takes dedicated people to build a successful business.
That's why we want to salute the managers and workers who have contributed to Nunasi Corporation over the past 30 years.
Nunasi is a creation of the Inuit land claim. It's not the vision of Inuit political and business leaders who view Inuit jobs, profits and wealth as a way to true Inuit independence.
Any company that can claim ownership of four high-profile subsidiaries and partnerships in 55 other companies employing 1,700 is a true success story.
In 2005, Nunasi recorded net income of $8.6 million, up from the year before at $5.3 million.
In September, the company announced a $733,000 payment back into the land claim fund, money that will go to Inuit shareholders.
With new interest in Nunavut's raw resources and the surge in exploration and development dollars, Nunasi and its various companies are well positioned to take on work that will keep profits in the North rather than exporting the gravy south.
Business principles are not so different than hunting principles -- hard work, patience, experience and good luck pays off.
Happy birthday and good hunting Nunasi, with many more successful years to come.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
The rhetoric surrounding the supposed termination of the position of ambassador for circumpolar affairs earlier this month was the type of stuff that would have made Monty Python writers proud.
To hear foreign affairs spokesperson Dan Dugas say he had erred when announcing a senior bureaucrat would assume the position bordered on the surreal.
Reaction to the original announcement from the circumpolar world was swift and predictable.
The ambassador's position is an important one and should be reinstated by the federal government.
If one takes Dugas at his latest word that appears to be what's going to happen, although I haven't checked for further comments during the past 10 minutes.
One little side note seems to have fallen through the cracks in all of this, lost amongst the verbal subterfuge we've been subjected to on the topic during the past nine days.
Canada's Inuit Circumpolar Council president Duane Smith made it clear that he views the ambassador-for-circumpolar-affairs position as an important one.
He wouldn't look forward to going through a senior bureaucrat in order to reach the right ears in Ottawa.
In his zeal to have the position reinstated, Smith made a passing reference to the fact there were concerns about the job performance of former Nunavut minister Jack Anawak as ambassador.
Anawak's held the position since 2004.
Add in the fact we never heard a peep from Anawak when he was told more than a month ago he was going to lose his job, and things just don't add up.
Even though the ambassador's position was created by the Liberals, this could be a job-performance issue and not another attempt by the Tories to distance themselves from all things Liberal in origin.
Those who remember the battles with Premier Paul Okalik during his final year as a member of the Government of Nunavut (GN), would have to admit Anawak is being uncharacteristically gentle in his responses to losing his job.
This is a man who ended up as a minister without portfolio in the GN because he refused to keep his differences of opinion from the public.
Yet, in this case, he has offered little more than a personal endorsement of the position's importance.
The other shoe should drop this week, now that Nunavut Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell has asked Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay for an explanation.
It's hard to believe the feds would not realize the importance of the position with the challenges facing the circumpolar world today.
Yet, it's also doubtful the Tories would worry about embarrassing a staunch Liberal supporter such as Anawak.
This was a major announcement in the circumpolar world, and one that needs to be explained - honestly and fully!
If Anawak could no longer be counted on to perform his duties, the Tories should step up and say that.
If, however, this was simply another cost-cutting measure at the expense of the North, they should own up to that, as well.
It's ironic the term ambassador is at the centre of an issue so thoroughly lacking in proper etiquette and honour.
Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik Drum
Be heard in the community, no matter what it takes
We live in a fortunate time and age. In modern society, anyone with an opinion can stand tall on a soap box and preach their ideas.
If you have a problem with the way things are, remember you can always make a difference. I don't necessarily mean by voting in a municipal election either.
Recently, a meeting was held at Samuel Hearne school to start up a youth newspaper/magazine. A large number of interested students attended the meeting last week and planned another for this week.
I have no doubt that the community will see positive results from the new school paper.
Back in my days at Samuel Hearne, I would have loved to had a vessel to spread my ideas in the community.
Imagine a way for your children or friends to finally express themselves through their writing or art - a new way of sharing information within the school.
School spirit is another aspect of the project that would also be affected in a positive way.
While the students are getting their first taste of journalism, a group of adults met last week to discuss matters concerning youth vandalism.
The meeting was attended by local leaders and members of committees who wished to share their thoughts about possible solutions for vandalism.
RCMP made presentations to the group and outlined problems facing the community.
The RCMP officers said there are a few young adults who work closely with youth in committing some of the graffiti and break-ins.
Many people said that parents should be more accountable for their children and know where they are at all times.
Social problems like youth acting out with violence and vandalism are not just the responsibility of the parent. The task of straightening out young people is a community effort.
Role models and educators are needed to herd the youth into the valley of righteousness and away from temptation.
As long as everyone in the community is ready to accept the good and bad of raising youth in a proper environment, the future of Inuvik could be a bright one.
I hope you all used this past weekend to re-affirm your connection to your family and friends.
The snow has fallen once again, which means that Halloween is only just around the corner. Let's all make sure it is as safe as possible.
Editorial Comment
Jessica Gray
Deh Cho Drum
I would like to start by commending all of those who attended the National Energy Board hearings held Oct. 4 and 5 here in Fort Simpson.
But more importantly, I'd like to say bravo to those brave enough to speak their minds at the evening session after the dinner made by Thomas Simpson high school students.
You don't have to be a politician or a well-known member of the community to participate in a process like this.
Some of the most powerful words spoken that night came not from pretense but from the heart.
If the Mackenzie Gas Project is approved, it will have an enormous impact on our communities.
All you need do is listen closely in a coffee shop or even around a campfire in the bush to hear what people have to say about the proposed pipeline's potential effects on the communities.
And those affected have every right to question the necessity and scope of the project, as well as ask who benefits.
I think I was most affected by the words from Eric Menicoche that night.
Before he spoke, Menicoche said he wasn't representing anyone, only himself, and that he was there because he had missed an opportunity to speak out so long ago.
"One regret I had from the past," he said, "is I never really spoke at the last hearings about the Mackenzie Gas Project." He was talking about the Berger Inquiry.
Imagine, regretting a decision to speak your mind for more than 25 years.
Perhaps one opinion, comment, worry, or statement might not make a huge difference in the end.
But what if there were many who refused to speak?
What if your voice could encourage not only those around you to speak, but set the example for youth in the communities and make use of an opportunity when it presents itself.
It took great courage for those people to speak in front of members of their communities and representatives from various companies and organizations.
They're all here to talk about something that has undoubtedly put the Northwest Territories on the world map, but it's not just them it will affect.
Speaking in front of an audience when you might be the dissenting voice can be even more difficult for many, as some residents made clear when telling the board many didn't feel they have been consulted enough or in the right way.
But it's those people who need to speak, because the voice of one is amplified tenfold when others add their voices too. And if you don't decide to speak now and if you refuse to participate, you might just lose the chance.
And when it comes to life, there are few second chances.
- Jessica Gray will be covering for Roxanna Thompson until the end of October.
In the article Davis Strait seismic project in the works (Nunavut News/North and News/North Oct. 9 editions), the proposed seismic program for offshore oil and gas would occur in an area designated as an extension to Nunavut's Territorial Sea Boundary under Article 16 of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. Nunavut News/North and News/North regrets any confusion the error may have caused.