Editorial

That's what is happening in the so-called turf war between Yellowknife's school boards. On one hand, you have the Catholic board creating a do-or-die scenario where they must have their own school for Ecole St. Joseph students displaced by renovations.

Sharing space at NJ Macpherson last year, they say, created an administrative nightmare, pushing normally competent professionals to such extremes that board superintendent Kern Von Hagen dare not ask for such sacrifice again this year.

Then we have public board chair Terry Brookes, having whipped up some rank and file parents to a frenzy, declaring, in so many words, the board's selfless determination to fight for the honour of their district.

To help his case, parents at public meetings talk about the trauma their children are suffering at the thought of being moved from their beloved school.

To the parents of both districts, we say any negative emotions their children may have about the school space issue in Yellowknife have come from the parents themselves. Children are expected to move from school to school as they progress and sharing classroom space is no different than sharing the world - we all have to do it. Sissons is due to be shut down in two years for renovations so describing the disruption of a move now as a terrible upheaval is irresponsible.

As for the two school boards, they have a sworn duty to manage the financial affairs of their districts, ensuring every dollar possible goes to the education of children.

The Catholic school board has a very solid record in this regard, balancing budgets and digging up alternative sources of funding.

The public school board has a troubled history of financial management. In fact, the previous superintendent had just managed to lead the district out of debt when she was summarily fired. And now, as reported in Yellowknifer April 20, Yk1 is heading back into debt. Is the board worried?

No. They appear too busy shining up their armour for battle, ignoring the avoidable costs of carrying under-used schools, and failing to plan for managing the consequences of declining school populations.

With the boards so occupied, nothing will change unless parents focus on the real issues of the city's stagnant population, declining enrolment, and the shifting of age groups which is filling up our high schools.

Difficult decisions that protect educational standards will have to be made. In the south, such circumstances often lead to permanent school closures and staff cutbacks.

The different needs of our two school boards present as much an opportunity as they do problems.

According to our calculations, the public school board could absorb Sissons students into other district schools and save more than $400,000 a year by leasing the school to the Catholic board.

It's up to our elected school boards to take advantage of the opportunity without exaggerating the problems. It's up to parents to think like responsible adults, managing finances and emotions for the benefit of their children.

If the school boards continue to fight without coming up with a proper solution, the territorial government may well step in and fix the problem. Considering that the new school year is only four months away, Yellowknife students may be better served.

Science meets the hunter

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Wednesday, May 2, 2007

The showdown has started between Inuit hunters and those who would like to see the number of polar bears hunted drastically reduced.

Some Inuit had their say in Arviat this past week during public consultations held by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.

And what those Inuit said, basically, was that the number of polar bears is on the rise, not in decline.

The Nunavut government wants to reduce polar bear hunting on western Hudson Bay and Baffin Bay.

Its desire to reduce the number of polar bears taken is based on data supplied by the Canadian Wildlife Service. A moratorium on bear hunting has even been mentioned as a solution.

So, once again, science meets the hunter and, in this case, traditional knowledge.

Those familiar with the collapse of the East Coast ground fishery and the peril of the Pacific salmon industry know this scenario is nothing new, only the species has changed.

And, those very familiar with the fishing industry know neither side can be trusted when it comes to the information they make public.

That's what makes the conservation versus the need or industry equation such a difficult one.

Science, and those who often mediate between the two sides, always claim they take traditional or practical knowledge into account when making decisions, but the truth of the matter is they rarely do.

Those surviving or making a good living from the species in question will say anything to convince John Q. Public that they should be allowed to continue harvesting.

And that's where the biggest problem arises -- rarely do the two sides come together to produce a workable solution.

Whether it's science following a great piece of fiction writing such as the Mifflin Plan to an industry's doom, or those on the opposite side of the fence overstating numbers to continue harvesting -- both sides work only to further their own agenda.

From all that we've heard of late, our situation is shaping up no differently. You have science saying one thing and hunters saying exactly the opposite.

That seems to be the case when the two compare notes, they become polar opposites (no pun intended).

Board chair Joe Tigullaraq is bang on when he says the world is watching how the polar bear situation is being handled in Nunavut.

Then again, the world was watching while Canada handled its fishery problems.

We don't envy Tigullaraq in his task to include both sides in the board's recommendations.

Bringing science and harvesters of any kind together can be more daunting a task than preserving any species.

It wasn't that long ago when one rule governed the fisheries; if it can't be caught on a hook, it shouldn't be taken out of the water.

The same science that worked for decades to develop more efficient ways to catch fish (and put those tools in harvester hands while the government turned the fishing industry into a social program) then rushed in to save the day when it was far too late.

Now, if you were a polar bear, would you want those same people looking out for your well being?

Healthy living

Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik Drum
Friday, April 27, 2007

Somewhere in between enjoying some beers on Friday night to eating some greasy take-out on Monday evening I found myself wondering if this life of excess will one day catch up with me.

Just as my brain was beginning to ponder that question, my hand had already pulled the fork closer to my mouth. By that point I had to give in.

I'm one of those people who chooses to live the fat life. Most of my entertainment can be found in close proximity to my couch.

I rarely cook for myself anymore. It seems like every time I open the drawer for a pot or pan, a take-out menu falls from heaven into my hand.

Now that we've established that I don't really care much for putting effort into a lot of extra-curricular things, I want to move onto the subject of healthy living.

I know, practise what you preach. I'm still planning on using that gym card I bought. Some day I'll brave my way into that fitness centre and won't look back, once I beat the final level of this video game I'm into right now. I swear.

After spending my Sunday watching some intense soccer at Samuel Hearne, I was motivated to do something physical.

Seeing those people running and being passionate about their sport made me feel like I'm missing something in my great existence.

Maybe I should go join a local club, like the boxing group or the running club. I'm sure there are other people out there who want to leave the couch, too.

Inuvik is great place for healthy living. With the many active organizations around, the full service fitness centre with swimming lanes and the Boot Lake trail, there really is no reason to keep on this path of destruction I call comfortable living.

Even thinking of dusting off my Nike cross trainers had me sweating bullets.

I know that some activity is inevitable. The snow is clearing out and it's nearly time to start riding a bicycle. The Boot Lake trails are melting now, too. Always fun times watching your friends fall off the walkway into deep snow.

As most of you health-wise people know, being active is not the only key to a fit lifestyle. Eating right and maintaining a sense of moderation is also needed.

As I previously stated, I am not a poster boy for anything but a relaxed lifestyle. These are only ideas of mine and should not be taken as promises.

Finding the right foods is easy in Inuvik. The fruit man has produce, the NorthMart has meats and there are plenty of grocery choices in town.

I don't know of any health food places in town because, like I said, the only vegetables I encounter end up on the side of my plate.

I take motivation from others in the community who have healthy lifestyles; people who are at the pool multiple times a week and are seen running during their lunch hour.

Kudos to you, my active friends. You're showing me a life I can only dream of for now.

The main point of all this is that there are many options for people of Inuvik to choose from.

The warm weather brings in more activities for us to indulge in. I want the new concrete skate park to pop up so the youth will have even more options. Who do I have to talk to about that?

Until the next time I get the urge for physical activity, I'll just be looking out from my window, wondering what awaits me on the outside.

Exercise connects cultures

Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
Friday, April 27, 2007

Interesting and unexpected things often arise in the most unusual places.

On April 22 I was invited to visit the Fort Simpson airport to meet some of the soldiers involved in Operation Narwhal.

Driving out to the airport I was pretty sure I knew what to expect. Having written a few articles about the operation I knew all about troop numbers, the scenario, the types of aircraft that were in use and the history of the exercise. It was all information that I thought would serve me well.

Even with all my prep work, after being escorted to the maintenance garage at the airport where the soldiers are sleeping and eating, I was still amazed. This was still the Fort Simpson airport but it was filled with a different sense of purpose.

By treating the scenario as something that is happening in real life all the young soldiers were moving around with a sense of purpose. All the soldiers were in their uniforms and carrying a variety of interesting things like unloaded guns and radio equipment.

The surreal nature of the scene was added to by the Griffon helicopters, which definitely don't look like the helicopters normally seen in the area. They flew overhead continuously, slinging fuel from across the river.

And in the midst of the sea of green colored uniforms a few red sweaters stuck out like bright flags.

Although the soldiers and the helicopters were exciting, the most interesting part of the whole exercise was the interaction between the 10 local Canadian Rangers and the soldiers.

The Rangers were completely integrated into the scenario with three Rangers assigned to each of the three sections at the airport.

Although their primary duty was to provide protection from wildlife like bears, the Rangers have really been acting as ambassadors for the Deh Cho and the territory.

For many of the reservist soldiers from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia this is their first trip to the Northwest Territories. The Rangers have been showing them what life in the North is about.

The Rangers have shared a variety of local traditions with the soldiers including hunting with snares, bannock, some medicines, and how to collect dry wood. Some have even taught a few words of Slavey to the soldiers.

The soldiers I talked to all commented on how much they've been able to learn from the Rangers and how great they've been. Interestingly, the compliment also worked in reverse with many of the Rangers noting how great the soldiers have been and all the new things they've learned from them.

Cultural exchanges and increased levels of understanding can happen in the most unusual places, even during a Canadian Forces exercises.

Corrections

In the April 23 Nunavut News/North, Leon Komangat was listed as being 18-years-old. He is actually 21.

Also in the April 23 Nunavut News North, Louis-Philip Pothier appears in the photo on page B2. The wrong name appeared in the paper.

We apologize for any confusion caused by these errors.