Editorial

In March, a man was diagnosed with an active case of tuberculosis (TB). As a result, hundreds of people, from those who stayed in the Salvation Army homeless shelter while he was there, to police, firefighters and others, had to be tested for the disease.

So far, two people have tested positive for the bacteria. According to the World Health Organization 10-15 people are typically infected by someone with an untreated case of TB.

This one case could end up doubling the number of TB cases in the NWT.

When the case came to light, public health officials decided the general public didn't need to know. Officials believe the situation was under control and that because the people at risk were identified, a public notice wasn't necessary. The case was also kept secret because the health department didn't want to further stigmatize a person who is already part of a marginalized sector of our society, the homeless.

Given TB's terrible history in the NWT, this disease must continue to be in the public eye.

In 2000, 57-year-old Fort McPherson teacher Effie Blake died when a case of TB went undiagnosed, despite the fact she had been exposed to the bacteria as a child and even though medical officials suspected she may have TB.

Blake's death resulted in a coroner's inquest and a report with 26 recommendations by Alberta TB expert Dr. Anne Fanning that prompted new rules on training doctors and nurses new to the North.

If doctors and nurses can forget about TB, how is the general public supposed to react?

When it comes to dangerous diseases, people need to be armed with appropriate information. Secrecy only adds to the potential for hysteria.

In this case, a public notice should have been issued saying someone had tested positive but that the people he had been in contact with were identified and were being tested.

No one is suggesting the person be identified, or even that anyone needed to say he is homeless.

Tuberculosis needs to remain in the public eye and the best way to do that is to let people know when there are cases in the community.

This was an opportunity to remind people that TB remains a problem and educate them about the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Unfortunately, it was an opportunity that was almost missed.

Tootoo versus the caboose

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Well, valued readers, as you're reading this I'm enjoying a little rest and relaxation on the East Coast as my wife and I charge up the batteries on our vacation.

The combination of my wife taking a new job and a June wedding in the family had us on a plane a little earlier this year. But, that only means we'll get to enjoy a bit of more of our Kivalliq summer upon our return.

I leave you in the more-than-capable hands of Christine Grimard during my absence, and I'm sure you'll be quite happy with Christine's work for the next little while. A growing number of sports writers seem to think they're writing for some Hollywood gossip tabloid these days and it's getting old.

To be honest, I've had either the Hockey News or Hockey Digest on my coffee table since I was kid, but, for the first time in my life, I'm seriously thinking about not renewing my subscription when it expires this time around.

For the past two years, writers for the Hockey News don't seem to like too much about the game and their constant criticizing and lobbying for unending change has passed beyond annoyance.

These guys make a darn good living from writing about the greatest game on Earth, and their constant bashing often has me wondering just what earned them their spot as supposed experts in the field.

Most professional athletes accept the fact their life is lived in a goldfish bowl as long as they're in the show. But too many hacks are filling space with cheap insults, and seem to take great delight in throwing out garbage that serves no other purpose than to embarrass people.

Our own Jordin Tootoo has been the target of some of this written diarrhoea during the past year because he continues to play the game with a (gasp) physical edge.

Some of the articles have been down-right laughable, like those that claimed the Tootoo Train only smacks little red cabooses from behind and never drops the gloves when someone else wants to try a derailing.

I'm not really sure if those "writers" ever watch an NHL game, but I digress. There was absolutely nothing funny this past week about Adam Proteau's little column (Eskimos and Igloos) on Jordin and his romantic interest, Kellie Pickler.

The piece had absolutely no point but to personally insult Pickler and question the couple's intellect - trash journalism at its best.

If this is the best writing the Hockey News can come up with these days, it's not the game that needs a major overhaul of its content.

While we won't waste space responding to Proteau's mean-spirited piece (written for no other reason than to take a cheap shot at a player whose style he doesn't like), we can't help but wonder how much about the person, Jordin Tootoo, this "writer" actually knows?

It's too bad guys like Proteau can't be made to play just one shift against the guys they direct such trash towards. Proteau's little caboose meeting the Tootoo Train on the trolley tracks of an NHL arena.

Now that would be funny!!

See you next month.

Learn from past mistakes

Editorial Comment
Dez Loreen
Inuvik Drum
Friday, June 1, 2007

The sun is bright and it won't go away. That means later nights and more outdoor activities for everyone in the community.

Taking a walk past midnight is fun because you see the whole town in a different light. There are tons of people out with their dogs and enjoying the warm weather.

Of course, every sword in this town has a double edge, so with great joy must come responsibility. If you want to be outdoors this season, leave the bottle at home. I know it seems warm and all, but partying outside is a bad idea.

I have a message for the Samuel Hearne grads who are reading this and those people who care for the safety of the young people who will take to the streets and party this weekend.

Now, you might say it's a "dry grad" for more money and that's cool. My graduation was designated "dry" but seriously, who adheres to that?

A whole horde of young people are going to graduate on Saturday afternoon and they will have much to celebrate that night. I have already heard that the RCMP is sponsoring a grad party at the pool. Hopefully it deters some drinkers.

Let's not be naive here. I drank on my grad night. It seems like a rite of passage for a graduating youth to slam back a few brews and have some fun.

In my few years attending parties like the annual grad bash, I have noticed one recurring theme: the outdoors. Yeah it's a beautiful time of the year and you want to drink outside with everyone, but there are still many hazards to watch for this time of year.

The ice is still there and is breaking up. I know that skipping on ice can be exhilarating, but there is a serious down side, which is hypothermia.

Have a few drinks and anyone feels like they could jump any distance and lift any weight. Just because you feel stronger doesn't mean your balance improves. Steer clear of ice and water.

If you do end up drinking this weekend, be safe. I don't want to come off like someone's parent, but I have concerns for the young people in town. It's not good when you have to escort someone to the hospital because they didn't follow the rules.

Maybe the big guy who you just beat at foosball is someone who thinks highly of himself. Maybe you shouldn't have teased him because he doesn't know any better. Either way, cross the line with that lummox and you'll regret it.

To the people who will be supervising the parties and watching the youth at play, be swift in your actions. If you need to get involved and cut someone off, or stop a party, then do it.

I've seen too many parents drive through outdoor parties and not stop to talk.

I know it may seem awkward but show your presence.

I feel like Martin Prince in The Simpsons. It almost feels like I'm wearing a sash that reads "Hall monitor." Well whatever, balk at my concerns and say what you will. I know where I am when I wake up and I don't get into scuffles. I guess that makes me safe.

Also remember that the RCMP are working extra hard on weekends like this one. Keep them in the loop and use some tact. Being lippy will get you nowhere.

With summertime dawning on us, how about we start this one off right with no casualties of a party gone wrong.

Embracing history

Editorial Comment
Roxanna Thompson
Deh Cho Drum
Friday, June 1, 2007

It's hard to judge what will capture the attention of youth.

While members of the younger generation more often known for their attraction to video games and endless hours of television, a recent event in Fort Simpson showed that this isn't always the case.

The Territorial Historica Showcase brought together 41 participants from around the territory. Gathered in Fort Simpson, the students proudly displayed their projects on a variety of historical events, figures and cultural activities.

Topics with a traditional bent included Tlicho foods, moosehide tanning and Dene medicine. More modern topics were seen in projects on the Canadian Forces and Yellowknife. For historical figures there were displays on people like Alexander Mackenzie and George Back. These are all subjects that students found interesting enough to devote a whole project to.

While parental guidance could be suspected, the students made it clear that they were the driving forces behind their projects.

Even a bit of time spent in the Bompas elementary school gym where the projects were on display over the weekend was enough to reveal the depth of passion many of the students felt about their projects.

At a display on Tlicho food, a Grade 5 student from Behchoko was ready to offer interested parties a piece of dry meat before launching into a speech on how today's junk food is nothing like traditional foods from the past.

The student went on to explain how he researched his project by speaking with this grandparents who have taught him about traditional foods and how to do things like skin a wild chicken.

Other students with strong ties to their project were just as eloquent.

One of the most impressive presentations came from two students from Inuvik. The boys researched a hand game that has almost died out.

Between them they spent their time after school finding elders to speak with who could tell them about the game. The students then made their own game piece and started practising.

Not only did the students make an engaging presentation, but they have also taken on the cause of the game. They've decided to work together to introduce it to as many people as possible so it will live on.

Such passion about historical subjects almost seems out of place in people who are so young.

This type of dedication in students, however, is enough to fan the flames of hope that the variety of cultures both aboriginal and non-aboriginal found the Northwest Territories won't be allowed to die out.

Students at the Louie Norwegian school in Jean Marie River recently showed some of the same interests.

The students were exposed to aspects of their culture during a Slavey Immersion Storyteller's camp.

When given the chance, students were more than happy to cook bannock over a fire and feast on moose meat and fish that were cooked in the same way.

Later, students sat mostly still as they listened to stories told by elder Leo Norwegian. They were particularly interested in stories about they're school's namesake, Louie Norwegian.

It's almost impossible to force a student to take an interest in a topic, especially one like a historical tradition, but when the student is exposed to the activity and takes it up on their own there's no telling how passionate they could become about it.