Editorial

Marvin Lizotte was a teacher at Deh Gah school in Fort Providence when he secretly courted three teenaged girls for sex. He considered one of the teens as a "semi-girlfriend," having intercourse with her 100 times over a period of years.

He continued to use this girl and one other for his own pleasure even after a police officer warned him about what could happen if found guilty of sexual exploitation.

Lizotte had to know that what he was doing was wrong. As a teacher, he was entrusted to guide youth to becoming healthy adults, a trust he broke by inviting them to his home for sexual liaisons.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation, sparing the girls the trauma of testimony during a trial, but we have to ask whether a 14-month sentence is sufficient.

The facts speak for themselves. He admitted to having sex with one girl 100 times. He admitted that he made one victim stay in his apartment until he could sneak her out without being seen. He continued to molest teenaged girls even after an RCMP officer warned him of the consequences.

The facts of the case are so horrific, it makes most people cringe and wonder why the court doesn't share their outrage.

According to the Criminal Code, a person is guilty of sexual exploitation when they are "in a position of trust or authority towards a young person ... for a sexual purpose, touches, directly or indirectly, with a part of the body or with an object, any part of the body of the young person."

Sexual assault is defined as an assault "which is committed in circumstances of a sexual nature such that the sexual integrity of the victim is violated."

Both carry 10-year maximum sentences, but calling what happened "sexual exploitation" downplays the seriousness of what occurred.

At issue here, however, is consent. We don't believe it's possible for a student to give consent to sex with a teacher. As the Criminal Code says, consent is not possible where "the accused induces the complainant to engage in the activity by abusing a position of trust, power, or authority.

It's time NWT prosecutors and courts set new precedents for dealing with people like Lizotte who abuse children for their own sexual gratification. Sex crimes are far too prevalent in the territories. Too many offenders are getting off with sentences that don't fit the crime. Tough sentences will keep these predators away from society and serve notice to others that they, too, could face years of hard jail time.

Rules are made for good reasons

The controversy that arose from an artist's collection of whalebone from Pond Inlet last summer underlines the importance of respect and communication of the rules that govern harvesting of resources.

The Nunavut land claims agreement permits Inuit to harvest stock in the Nunavut settlement area for economic, social and cultural needs.

Bob Kussy is not an Inuk. Kussy and his stepsons collected whalebone in Pond Inlet last summer for himself and for his wife, Goota Ashoona, and his stepsons, who are Inuk. The Ashoona family of Cape Dorset has produced generations of talented artists, and whalebone is a medium in which Goota Ashoona excels.

But even for an Inuk artist to collect whalebone, he or she still needs an archaeological permit. Nunavut archeological regulations prohibit the collection of materials over 50 years old that show signs of human activity without one. This is for good reason.

Nunavut's archeological heritage is rich, and very vulnerable. Many artifacts lie exposed on the land, and at first glance it's difficult to tell if these objects were used yesterday or 1,000 years ago. Archeological sites are also a long way from law enforcement. Nunavut relies on concerned observers to report unauthorized collecting, to keep the territory's cultural resources from being plundered as they were in the past and carried off to museums far and wide.

Perhaps it's necessary to do more work to catalogue archeological sites, especially near communities, so when artists go out onto the land to get materials, they know what areas to avoid.

But legislation and regulations are worthless unless people are made aware of the rules and they are enforced. Government should make it easy for the public to find out what regulations apply to their activities and what permits they need to carry them out. And should a transgression occur, enforcement should follow in a timely manner.

It's been almost a year since Kussy collected the whalebone at Pond Inlet. Police confirm the fact an investigation is underway, but the process is taking far too long. He should know his fate by now, instead of hanging in legal limbo.

Respect and communication go both ways. Artists must respect the law and communicate their intent to harvest bone to the proper authorities. But government must also respect artists' need for clear information and prompt action.

Nuclear reaction

Editorial Comment
Christine Grimard
Kivalliq News
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Those able to attend meetings in Baker Lake two weeks ago, have likely heard enough about what uranium is and what development of this resource can bring to Nunavut.

I had a chance to speak with two Baker Lake residents who pointed out to me that people there are just learning now about what uranium is. Since uranium is primarily used to produce nuclear power, I thought I would take a chance this week to talk a bit about the subject.

When nuclear power first came out in the 1950s and 1960s, it was seen as a miracle power source, where all the world's problems would be solved with this seemingly endless supply of energy.

Since 1945 Canada has denounced any intention to build atomic weapons and has concentrated all its efforts in developing technology for nuclear power.

Nuclear power has been associated with "clean energy" because, in comparison with fossil fuels, it is one of the world's most abundant and effective energy sources if, and this is a key point, safety measures are carefully followed and nuclear waste is disposed of properly.

The myth of the "miracle" energy source was dissuaded after the disasters of Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979 and the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, a power plant near Pripyat, Ukraine. Up to 146,000 square kilometres of land around the plant was contaminated by radioactivity and 350,000 people had to move.

But Canada does not carry the dysfunctions of a communist country, and modern technologies have minimized, and arguably altogether abolished the likelihood of a similar disaster. Canada has taken a leading position on nuclear power. This country has 20 nuclear reactors, and is a world leader in nuclear technologies. Countries such as China and India use Canadian CANDU reactors. Nuclear power provides half of Ontario's electricity.

At this month's G-8 Summit, climate change was on everyone's lips, and is one of the leading issues businesses and governments face. Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, popularized the issue that scientists and activists have been pushing for years, sending out the message that our production and consumption habits are slowly killing this planet.

Nuclear power does not produce soot or greenhouse gases, the primary triggers Gore so clearly linked to climate change.

Mining, however, does produce waste and this is an important point to consider in allowing mining development in the area.

It's also important to recognize that the North's past and present connection with uranium hasn't been good. It was mined in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s near Great Bear Lake in the NWT, and the community of Deline continues to deal with the after-effects.

A proposal to explore for uranium in the Thelon River area east of Lutsel K'e was recently denied by an NWT regulatory agency, citing environmental and cultural concerns.

Leaving the conservation issues linked with uranium development aside, giving uranium development the go ahead is also a vote for nuclear power, and this is something I strongly support.

Even Patrick Moore, one of the founders of Greenpeace, has put himself behind nuclear energy, as he wrote in an op-ed piece for the Washington Post: "my views have changed, and the rest of the environmental movement needs to update its views, too, because nuclear energy may just be the energy source that can save our planet from another possible disaster: catastrophic climate change."

-- Darrell Greer, the regular editor of the Kivalliq News, returns July 16.

Inuvik needs to meet the needs of the disabled

Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik News
Thursday, June 21, 2007

I want to start with two questions: How much asphalt would we need to fix every sidewalk and building in town with proper access to wheelchair ramps; and how much will it cost?

I'd really like a response to my questions, so feel free to mull that over while I condemn the town's lack of wheelchair accessibility.

I took part in the wheels on ice challenge last week to show my support for a friend and to see what state our community is in.

My ''simple task'' was to make my way from SAM school to the Mackenzie Hotel and request a room rate.

After watching Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland make the SAM school ramp look easy, I made my start. Let me first say that the ramp at the elementary school is steep. It's too steep for this able 24 year-old to manoeuvre without the help of aides. After eventually making my way down the ramp, I started my voyage across the driveway and the main road.

It was during this long stretch of ''pavement'' that I noticed the smallest pebbles were leading me off the beaten path. Again, thanks go to my aides, who took the time from their studies to help with the event, I made the crossing.

My struggles continued when I tried to get up onto the sidewalk. The entry was cracked and raised from wear and tear. I nearly fell backwards trying to climb the slope.

Next time you're out walking on Mackenzie Road, look at the side walk. I'll bet this copy of the newspaper that you'll be shocked with the poor state of our only sidewalk in town. Might be time to redo some areas.

I don't know too much about the abilities of the average person in a wheelchair. What I do know is that travelling in a wheelchair in this town is extremely difficult.

I think it's embarrassing for our town to have such low quality service for people in wheelchairs.

Evelyn Bullock was in the wheelchair and had to get into a convenience store for a drink. It took the help of two aides to get the chair in a position where it could be lifted on a ramp in front of the store.

I want the disabled to feel comfortable in Inuvik. I want them to have a sense of dignity and independence.

I know that if I was in a chair and approached the store, I'd feel pretty bad because I'd have to ask for help.

Have you pondered my initial questions long enough yet? I hope the people in the town council chambers can pull enough cash together to fix the sidewalks. I also want the local business owners to get on the same page.

If this challenge showed me anything, it told me that this problem needs to be addressed and quickly.

I hope it doesn't take too long, because I don't think the people with disabilities want to wait any longer for their services.

On behalf of every fully-abled person in town, I want to show my support for the wheelchair bound. Keep fighting your fight. I'm sorry that nobody cares enough to patch some concrete or lay down some pavement. If you need help anywhere, call me up.

Make the celebration meaningful

Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
Thursday, June 21 2007

One of the more enjoyable parts of the summer is having days off of work.

Summer months offer plenty of opportunities thanks to a number of different holidays.

Interestingly, while many people leap at the chance to have an extra day off of work to enjoy the summer weather not everyone can explain what the various holidays signify. A definition of why the civic holiday exists isn't sitting on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Surely in the North you would think the same wouldn't hold true for National Aboriginal Day. With a population that is made up primarily of First Nation, Inuit and Metis people you'd think that the meaning of Aboriginal Day would be crystal clear.

But what exactly is it that people should be celebrating on Aboriginal Day? What makes this holiday any different or more significant than the others that crowd the summer months?

According to the official definition that can be found on various government of Canada websites, National Aboriginal Day is a day to celebrate the unique heritage, cultures and contributions of the First Nation, Inuit and Metis people in Canada.

That's a concise definition but it covers a lot of ground while not offering much insight.

A bit of history might help.

June 21 was first proclaimed as National Aboriginal Day by former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc on June 13, 1996. Prior to the proclamation there was a long standing desire for a day to be set aside nationally to celebrate Aboriginal peoples and cultures.

In 1982 the National Indian Brotherhood, now the Assembly of First Nations, called for June 21 to be made into National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.

In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended the creation of a National First Peoples day. Pressure built in the same year as the Sacred Assembly, a national conference of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of aboriginal people.

June 21 was finally chosen because of the cultural significance of the summer solstice and because many aboriginal groups have celebrated their culture and heritage during this time of the year for generations.

What it really means is that Aboriginal Day is whatever people want to make of it.

If people choose to simply use the day as an excuse to escape from their 9 to 5 job, then that is all it will mean to them.

If people take their free day to participate in the planned activities such as traditional games, handgames tournaments, drum dances and canoe races then they are taking the celebration's meaning one step further.

But to really make June 21 more than just a date on the calendar, aboriginal and non-aboriginal people alike would have to take time to consider the contributions and heritage of all of Canada's aboriginal peoples.

The day should be used not just to look at the past and the present, but also to think about the future. This is particularly significant in the Deh Cho as the members of the Dehcho First Nations prepare for the annual Dehcho Assembly that will place in Fort Simpson June 26 -28.

Only a few minutes are needed to change June 21 from a day without work to something meaningful.