The latest conflict over the West Point First Nation's leadership points to a need for better conflict resolution to decide aboriginal leadership challenges.

In November, four West Point councillors voted to oust Chief Karen Felker and named Coun. Sonya Cayen acting chief, calling an election for March 12. Felker is fighting what she considers an invalid election.

The controversy is another in a long list of similar disputes that have occurred across the NWT, blamed on family feuds mixed into First Nations politics.

In 2005, Wrigley's Pehdzeh Ki First Nations Chief David Moses found himself deposed while attending meetings in Yellowknife. He blamed the political upheaval on a family feud, saying councillors were angry when Moses fired band staff members they were related to.

In 2002, Colville Lake's Behdzi Ahda First Nation, was locked in a legal dispute between then chief Dora Duncan and band manager Joseph Kochon.

Some blamed the feud on the defeat of Kochon's brother, 16-year chief Richard Kochon, in that election by Duncan.

Anyone who has lived in a small, tight-knit community, especially those in isolated areas, know loyalties, particularly when it comes to blood ties, run deep and are fiercely protected. However, when it comes to politics, there is a definite need to set aside family differences and work objectively for the good of the community and the people band councils have been elected to serve.

The results are a two-fold benefit. Not only does the community prosper but also the legitimacy of First Nations governments is more easily recognized by federal and territorial governments. Many might say they don't care what the big wigs in Ottawa think of how they handle their affairs, but that is an attitude that can only be detrimental to ambitions of self-government, giving the feds an excuse for not considering First Nations governments as legitimate.

Although many First Nations governments function well and are a testament to the ability of aboriginal people to govern themselves, it only takes a few bad apples to ruin the bunch. The federal government has never needed an excuse to delay negotiations towards aboriginal self-government agreements. With that in mind, all aboriginal governments should strive to prove they have the ability to govern objectively and with the best interests of every one of their community members at heart, regardless of heredity.

Perhaps Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian is on to something when he proposed the creation of a tribunal to help settle leadership disputes. Such a tribunal would be completely third party and made up of elders and aboriginal leaders who can relate and empathize with how First Nations politics work.

Such a body could be called in to help prevent the ousting of chiefs, replacing of council members even the firing of staff along family lines. No one said having a functional democracy would be easy, especially for groups that are relatively new to the processes involved. But, it is definitely worth the effort and once all the wrinkles are ironed out, the power to help shape the destiny of your community and your people will have been worth the struggle. All that is required is a little co-operation.

Private sector Inuit employment is an issue that people are uncomfortable talking about in public.

No one wants to be labeled as a bigot, or as anti-Inuit.

But behind the scenes, you can hear it everywhere: "They never show up," "They are always late," "They leave in the middle of shifts." They, they, they.

Sometimes the speaker couches it in other terms, like "locals."

Usually they mean Inuit.

If last week's "locals" controversy at the Frobisher Inn's Storehouse Bar and Grill in Iqaluit shows anything, it is that companies need to take greater care with their hiring policies.

Human rights legislation makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone, and Nunavut has some of the most comprehensive human rights legislation in Canada, for good reason.

The history of residential schools, forced relocation and generation after generation of poverty made it necessary. Private businesses need to ask themselves if they are part of the problem or a part of the solution.

Companies that have an interest in hiring Inuit need to take steps to make that happen, because it doesn't happen overnight.

Ask the government. The GN has a stated goal of 85 per cent Inuit employment, and currently sits at 48 per cent.

Getting there has been tough work.

It means training, promotion from within, hiring quotas, and occasionally spending $5 million on turning out a handful of lawyers.

Private companies can't be expected to have the deep pockets of the GN, but there are steps they can take.

Nunavut has the highest birth rate in Canada. Does your business provide for day care?

Do you set up flexible schedules?Do employees understand the work schedule and their responsibilities? Nunavut has one of the lowest graduation rates in the country.

Does your business offer training? Once trained, do you promote from within?

If managers are hired from the south, what steps are taken to help them understand the fact they're no longer in Ontario or Nova Scotia, to help them understand Inuit culture?

Housing is the biggest issue in the territory.

Does your business provide adequate housing for employees? Do you provide family housing?

Sealift orders can help lessen the burden on a Nunavut family. The GN provides interest-free loans to employees moving to a new community, so they can afford to order a year's worth of supplies in one fell swoop.

Hiring locals is good business.

When customers see others from the community behind the counter, they know they are supporting their own.

When it comes to employing Nunavummiut, you get what you give.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The future's so bright I gotta' wear shades.

Nobody could really blame Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) president Mac Clendenning or Kivalliq campus director Mike Shouldice for humming the one-time Top 40 AM hit on occasion.

Training has finally become the name of the game in Nunavut and the college is starting to reap the benefits.

The announcement that the Kivalliq campus in Rankin Inlet will play host to the Northern Teachers Education program (NTEP) during the next four to five years is but the latest in a series of good news events for the college - and there could be much more to come.

The good folks from the federal Justice department and Corrections Canada paid a call to the campus during their recent trip to Rankin.

First and foremost on the list for discussion were, of course, preliminary talks on the possibility of initiating a training program in Rankin to supply corrections officers for the new Nunavut correctional facility.

Add in the continuing success of the midwifery and observer-communicator programs, as well as curriculum development for the new trades-training facility, and things are looking up for the college, indeed.

Close contact

Clendenning and Shouldice are keeping in close contact with Education Minister Ed Picco - proving himself to be Nunavut's most effective education minister to date -- regarding the NTEP review the Nunavut government has begun analyzing.

Picco is on a mission to increase the number of homegrown teachers entering the Nunavut education system.

To accomplish that aim while still managing to produce fully qualified and effective teachers, Picco realizes the NTEP has to be broadened in its capacity, scope and delivery.

It may not be too much longer before we see a second permanent NTEP-delivery site announced to compliment the Iqaluit-based program.

And, at the risk of sounding pro Rankin, the Kivalliq campus would be a leading candidate to host the addition should it come to fruition.

Solid job

We would be remiss if we did not also point out the solid job done by Arviat in hosting the current revolving NTEP, which holds the promise of seeing at least 10 graduates earn their bachelor of education degree, recognized by McGill University, this coming June.

Also lost in the shuffle from time to time is the high job-placement rate among graduates of the management studies program at the Kivalliq campus.

Clendenning and Shouldice are to be commended for their efforts in upgrading the curriculum and program delivery at NAC to meet the needs of our still very much developing territory.

And, they've done it with an emphasis on both Inuit students and staff members.

Here in the Kivalliq, NAC's development has reached the point where every one of its adult educators across the region are Inuit.

That's another goal the college has reached that sometimes gets overlooked while exciting new announcements grab the headlines.

The next few years hold a vast amount of promise for NAC, and within its walls rests the promise of continued growth for our region and a higher standard of living for its residents.

Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik Drum
Friday, March 02, 2007

I'm in a room surrounded by high school students and we are all focused on a film being shown. It depicts a male babysitter molesting a boy.

I was in the library at Samuel Hearne school for a presentation about sexual assault. I looked around the room and expected to hear snickers and giggles from the youth in attendance.

Instead, I hear quiet whispers about how sad it is and how disgusting some people are.

There is no room in our society for sex offenders. Sexual predators should be taken out back and shot.

I have no sympathy for people with skewed sexual interests. Keep your hands to yourself. No means no.

But I am impressed with the way the students handled the presentation.

I think it's important to mention that while it took the students a few minutes to settle down and listen, when that film strip came on, everyone had their eyes to the front.

In the small discussion groups after the film, some young guys were asking questions about how to identify a healthy relationship. I'm glad they took it all seriously.

Sexual assault is a difficult subject for anyone to discuss, regardless of sex, age or experience. It takes courage to get in front of a group of high school students and talk about "bad touches."

Some of the language might have been harsh for sensitive ears, but the message struck home with straight facts.

The whole deal was hosted by a group of young people who wanted to get through to the students and teach them an important lesson about respect.

Using younger presenters was a great idea.

All you parents out there, I want you to applaud everyone who educates your kids about respecting themselves and warns them of dangers such as drinking to excess and passing out at a party or getting involved with the wrong people.

These messages need to be taught early and often.

The presenters spoke about sexual abuse from parents, family and friends. It may have hit close to home with some students, but the talks were completely necessary.

It takes strength to speak about sexual assault, but every word spoken gives someone else the power to stand up against their aggressors.

After the talks were done with the groups of youth, I spoke to some of them about what they were thinking about.

This generation of young people seems highly respectful of each other and understands the meaning of the word "no."

I appreciated the respect and maturity shown by the students during the speeches.

They treated the issue of sexual assault with seriousness and with concern, and that's a promising sign for youth and future generations.

Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
Friday, March 02, 2007

Once again the Wise Women awards have been given out.

Since 1992 the Status of Women Council of the NWT has distributed five regional awards to recognize women's time, commitment and work in improving the lives of other women and their families.

In the Deh Cho, this year's winner is Bertha Deneron of Trout Lake.

This award provides a convenient opportunity to recognize the work of Bertha Deneron and that of all the other women across the Deh Cho and the NWT.

As of July 1, 2005 there were an estimated 20,889 women in the NWT, just a few thousand short of outnumbering the men who stood at 22,093.

The Wise Woman awards honour female role models who provide volunteer, counselling and caregiving services to others. Although at different levels, many women provide these services on a daily basis whether to their family and friends or as part of their work.

Women have come a long way in terms of their personal and public rights and should be encouraged to take all available opportunities to advance themselves and continue their great work.

Adequate housing is something to which everyone has a right as a human being.

There are lots of stories from developing countries about people forced to live in shacks built from pieces of corrugated metal, cardboard, wood or whatever they can scavenge. For some people having even a flimsy shelter is a luxury.

In developing countries, housing issues usually revolve around making sure there is adequate housing to meet needs and finding housing for people with low or no incomes. Most people, especially Canadians, are fortunate enough to have a sturdy place to call home.

Homes are places for living, raising families, sharing meals and relaxing. But what do you do if you suspect your home is also making you sick?

In the North mould and homes are no strangers to each other.

Houses need to breathe, especially during extended winters. Inadequate ventilation may keep houses warmer by keeping air in, but in doing so it also keeps in all the things the air carries such as water vapour.

In the Deh Cho it's Fort Liard that has had the most significant problems with mould. There has been an ongoing struggle in Fort Liard to ensure that housing there is suitable for the needs of the residents.

The effects of mould growth caused by poor ventilation, inadequate insulation or lack of vapour barriers are well-known. They can include allergic reactions, rashes, asthma and wheezing.

Many residents point to their houses as the causes of these symptoms. Others also suspect their houses of harboring more dangerous moulds.

Experts such as Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief medical officer for the NWT, say the only way to deal with mould problems is to have the house in question renovated.

Continued priority needs to be given to upgrading houses to ensure that they are properly suited for habitation in the North.

Homes are for living, not for making people sick.

Despite an exchange in the legislative assembly between Monfwi MLA Jackson Lafferty and Transportation Minister Kevin Menicoche, which suggested traffic lights, were to be erected at the Behchoko junction on Highway 3, a department of transportation official has informed News/North that the junction is getting street lights, not traffic lights as reported in last week's edition.

The paper regrets any confusion this may have caused.