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Features
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Monday, July 16, 2007 Where is the outrage?
Judging from response to Kakisa Chief Lloyd Chicot's denial that he wrote a character reference letter for disgraced former teacher Marvin Lizotte, it seems not. Lizotte was sentenced to 14 months in jail June 14 by Mr. Justice John Vertes on three sexual exploitation charges involving former students in Fort Providence. During that hearing, Lizotte's defence counsel tabled eight letters written by family and friends. Among them was a letter purportedly written by Chicot. The chief says he never wrote the letter and sent a signed fax to NWT News/North to emphasize his denial. The signatures on the court letter and the fax are not the same. From what we've been able to determine, Lizotte collected most of the letters. But while Chief Chicot's denial made headlines in this newspaper, it barely rippled the waters of the NWT legal system. Lizotte's defence counsel notified the Crown but said little else. The Crown attorney said it was up to Chicot to file a complaint with the RCMP. Chicot said he and the Ka'a'gee Tu council decided to not pursue the matter any further: "I don't want to create any more difficulty." As a result, the integrity of the court system is left to twist in the wind. The reaction is puzzling since Justice Vertes noted the letters spoke to Lizotte's "otherwise good character and integrity." Misleading the court is serious business. It's called perjury and a person convicted of the crime can be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison. First of all, someone has to determine whether or not Chicot's letter was forged, and, if it was, who did it. Why it takes a complaint from Chicot to do this is mind-boggling. Doesn't the Crown attorney's office feel like someone tried to subvert justice? Secondly, the practise of submitting character references must undergo review. It seems no-one is responsible to check authenticity. These are court documents that help a judge determine sentence. As such, they should at most be sworn affidavits, and at least witnessed by an RCMP officer, mayor or First Nation chief. Without a system to verify these letters, all are suspect. But like so much in the North, no one seems willing to take responsibility. Perhaps Justice Vertes will call for answers. Surely he must feel some sense of outrage.
Actions speak louder than words
Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik was wrong to say what he did towards Lynda Gunn. Calling Gunn a "f---ing bitch" during a June 25 dinner in Labrador, in a voice loud enough to be heard by people standing nearby, was completely inappropriate. There is no question about that. We don't know Okalik's motivation for such harsh sentiment towards Gunn. Whatever it may have been, it doesn't justify his profane remarks. The Premier obviously realized this. Although he chalked up his miscue to the stress of a long week, he wasted little time in issuing personal and public apologies. If his ill-advised words directed at Gunn illustrated his character, so did his ability to recognize his mistake and say he's sorry. We've all made comments that we've regretted, and, after they have passed our lips, the best we can do is be genuinely contrite and learn a humbling lesson. Gunn said she doesn't accept Okalik's apology and has demanded that he resign. She has support from Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley and a number of representatives from women's groups, all expressing outrage over Okalik's rude remark. With an election scheduled for next spring it wouldn't be productive to force the Premier to step down, impeding progress and causing the government to lose focus. If Okalik were to make another blunder of a similar nature, or if others can prove he has expressed such hurtful views in the recent past, then it would be time to remove him from office. Otherwise, voters in his own riding will have a chance to pass judgment on Okalik in several months, should he decide to run again. Until then, to try to add some balance to this heated controversy, remember that Okalik is the same man who made Levinia Brown and Leona Aglukkaq, both rookie MLAs, members of his cabinet in 2004. They were the only two women elected to the 19-member legislature by Nunavummiut. While Okalik had no control over the lack of female presence, he moved to empower the two women who successfully advanced into territorial politics. "We want to show that women are welcome in this house," he said at the time. Let's keep the bigger in picture in mind before we rush to send the Premier packing.
What to do about bullying
Editorial Comment Roxanna Thompson Deh Cho Drum Thursday, July 12, 2007 Calling Gunn a "f---ing bitch" during a June 25 dinner in Labrador, in a voice loud enough to be heard by people standing nearby, was completely inappropriate. There is no question about that. We don't know Okalik's motivation for such harsh sentiment towards Gunn. Whatever it may have been, it doesn't justify his profane remarks. The Premier obviously realized this. Although he chalked up his miscue to the stress of a long week, he wasted little time in issuing personal and public apologies. If his ill-advised words directed at Gunn illustrated his character, so did his ability to recognize his mistake and say he's sorry. We've all made comments that we've regretted, and, after they have passed our lips, the best we can do is be genuinely contrite and learn a humbling lesson. Gunn said she doesn't accept Okalik's apology and has demanded that he resign. She has support from Rankin Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley and a number of representatives from women's groups, all expressing outrage over Okalik's rude remark. With an election scheduled for next spring it wouldn't be productive to force the Premier to step down, impeding progress and causing the government to lose focus. If Okalik were to make another blunder of a similar nature, or if others can prove he has expressed such hurtful views in the recent past, then it would be time to remove him from office. Otherwise, voters in his own riding will have a chance to pass judgment on Okalik in several months, should he decide to run again. Until then, to try to add some balance to this heated controversy, remember that Okalik is the same man who made Levinia Brown and Leona Aglukkaq, both rookie MLAs, members of his cabinet in 2004. They were the only two women elected to the 19-member legislature by Nunavummiut. While Okalik had no control over the lack of female presence, he moved to empower the two women who successfully advanced into territorial politics. "We want to show that women are welcome in this house," he said at the time. Let's keep the bigger in picture in mind before we rush to send the Premier packing.
Respect for the dead
Editorial Comment Dez Loreen Inuvik News Thursday, July 12, 2007 No doubt by now you've all heard about the cemetery restoration project being done by the Town of Inuvik. While this is a controversial issue, I feel it's important that this work be done. The site we chose to be the final resting place for many of our loved ones is not stable and is in dire need of attention. There are drainage issues and that affects us every year. The snow melts and leaves a lot of water that wasn't moving anywhere. I was through the site last week and saw the remnants of the water runoff. It was a small puddle that will soon be gone. An area that runs parallel with the graves was recently dug up and a new culvert is now in place. Signs like that steel culvert re-affirm that the town office is working hard to fix the problems and should be commended for its work. The mayor says that the grave markers will be replaced in the exact spots they came from, with the aid of GPS and surveying technology. It is important that the town office be aware that they are walking on spiritual ground. Many people and many religious beliefs hold respect for the deceased in high regard. I know that the crews don't mean any disrespect to those whose graves they are working around. I know that they are simply doing a job that needs doing. At the same time, I expect that people who are working in the cemetery should treat every cross and grave marker with the same dignity that they would a person. Those markers are what we use to remember those loved ones who aren't with us anymore. The process of the work includes moving and replacing the old crosses with new ones. But the sight of old crosses left in a pile by the side of the shed was wrenching. Families placed those crosses in order to honour someone's memory. I doubt they'd appreciate seeing their loved one's name in the dirt. My two grandparents are buried in that cemetery beside each other. Our family put hard work into those graves. We did it during a difficult time in our lives and I feel that it helped as part of the grieving process. I know that there are a lot of people reading this who aren't from here and don't have family buried in that cemetery. But I hope you understand the importance of being respectful. During a town council meeting on Monday night, a man came forward with his concerns to share with our councillors. He told them that he was shocked to see his daughter's grave without a marker. "I know you mean well and your hearts are in the right places, but what's done is done," he said. He also saw the pile of crosses that were on the side of the cemetery. It's a sensitive issue and I know that people have been up in arms about this. After talking with members of town council, I can tell you they are sincere in their actions. They want the best for our community, including our deceased. Remember that though it might not look too appealing now, soon the cemetery will be one we can all be proud of.
Good politics start with respect
Editorial Comment Christine Grimard Kivalliq News Wednesday, July 11, 2007 As many of you have likely read, MLA for Rankin Inlet North Tagak Curley has joined Lynda Gunn, the CEO of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities and the mayor of Iqaluit Elisapee Sheutiapik in asking for the Premier's resignation. This comes after Premier Paul Okalik was overheard calling the CEO of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities a "f—ing bitch," at the Expo Labrador 2007 Conference and Trade Exhibition. Okalik has since apologized both in writing and on the phone to Gunn. That Okalik apologized can be recognized and appreciated. However, the fact that Nunavut's most prominent government figure is confident enough to make these comments in the first place should not be tolerated. These kinds of comments are a strong sign of disrespect for women. The only reassuring words I can offer to Gunn are that this kind of behaviour by male leaders is disgustingly accepted at the national level. In 1985, Member of Parliament Sheila Copps was told by a Conservative MP, "just quiet down baby," in response to a question. In 1990 she was called a "slut" by Tory MP Bill Kempling and a "bitch" by Reform MP Ian McCelland. Yes, but that was a long time ago, you may say, surely federal politics have improved by now. I wish this were the case. When Belinda Stronach crossed the floor in 2005, politicians once again fell to demeaning, sexist comments. Provincial MP Bob Runciman told a Toronto radio station that, "She sort of defined herself as something of a dipstick, an attractive one, but still a dipstick." Alberta MLA Tony Abbott accused Stronach of "whoring herself out for power." Most publicized, were comments allegedly made by fellow MP Peter MacKay referring to Stronach as a dog. Important to note is that none of these backwards, demeaning comments led to the resignation of any of these male politicians. Is this just how politics goes? Is childish behaviour tolerated across the board? While sexist behaviour might be, accepting insults as part of political life isn't. Remember Liberal MP Carolyn Parish was expelled from the caucus after stepping on a George Bush doll during a televised comedy skit. Why wasn't anyone calling for the resignation of those other overtly sexist politicians? One look at parliament and you'll understand why. Full of white, male lawyers, Canada stands 47th in the world for female representation in Parliament. That's below Uganda, Rwanda, Afghanistan and Iraq. While Canada boasts having one female Prime Minister, remember Kim Campbell was not elected into the job, but took the position after the resignation of Brian Mulroney. This country has yet to have a woman elected as Prime Minister. The Liberal party has never elected a woman leader and the Conservative party hasn't seen one since Kim Campbell. It's time to stand up and make a point. Women are half of this country's population, but only one fifth of its political representation. This will never change as long as we let the old boys club get away with comments like this. - Darrell Greer, the regular editor of the Kivalliq News, returns July 16.
Corrections An error appeared in the news briefs of Wednesday's Yellowknifer ("Sue Glowach to run in Yellowknife Centre," July 11). Glowach has taken a leave of absence from her position with the territorial government Department of the Executive. Yellowknifer apologizes for any embarrassment or confusion caused by the error.
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