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Kitchen table factor NWT News/North - Monday, October 18, 2010
The Wek'eezhii Renewable Resources Board's recommendations on managing the NWT's declining caribou herds have identified key areas aiming to restore the NWT caribou population. At the heart of the recommendations is a hunting limit of 300 caribou from the Bathurst herd. Other recommendations outline consequences should the harvest exceed 300 animals or the cow to bull ratio by 10 per cent. The consequences include banning hunting or implementing a total allowable harvest. Traditionally, the aboriginal harvest of the Bathurst herd is between 7,000 and 10,000 animals, according to Minister Michael Miltenberger. At first glance it may seem like a large kill, but when considering the population numbers, the food supply starts to get scarce. Between the Tlicho and Yellowknives Dene communities, there are around 886 households, according to the NWT bureau of statistics. At the high end, that would equal just over 11 caribou per household. According to the NWT Bureau of Statistics, 50 per cent of households in Yellowknives and Tlicho communities have four or more people. If those people eat caribou meat on a weekly basis, even 11 caribou might not last the entire year. We all agree conservation is essential but is it enforceable? In this case we're talking about limiting a community's primary food source. Some may dispute that fact, but consider the average income in the Tlicho communities of Behchoko, Gameti and Whati -- $30,000 for a single person and $66,000 for a family. Factor in the cost of living and food prices in those communities and it's not unreasonable that people would be relying on caribou as a primary food source. The Wek'eezhii report calls for mandatory monitoring and reporting of the harvest and suggests the GNWT and Tlicho boost enforcement staff and encourage hunt reporting by hunters. But the Wek'eezhii region is massive. Tracking all hunters and all kills will be difficult without complete co-operation from hunters. We are not suggesting the Tlicho and Yellowknives Dene people won't co-operate, but when faced with the choice between feeding a family and killing a few extra caribou, most people would not hesitate to pull the trigger. Punishing people for gathering food is inhumane and the government needs to understand the restrictions might be taking food out of some family's mouths. The recommendations do make provisions to support alternative game hunts and fish camps, but making up the losses from other sources such as bison and moose herds will put considerable pressure on those populations. Protecting our caribou herds is vital, but we must practise conservation with the health and well being of NWT families in mind.
Nunavut riches Nunavut News/North - Monday, October 18, 2010 "There is hope for the future." Those were Jose Kusugak's words upon visiting Baker Lake in June. The Kivalliq Inuit Association's president may well have been speaking of Hall Beach, which is pondering the consequences of a $1 billion investment in a huge iron ore deposit southwest of the community. Kusugak was in Baker Lake earlier this year as part of a large delegation visiting the Meadowbank gold mine, 70 km north of the community. Kusugak said he remembered when there was a sense of frustration and despair in Baker Lake many years earlier, largely due to a high unemployment rate. The mine, which entailed $710 million in spending to get it into production, has brought prosperity to the community. Close to 550 jobs were created, with Nunavummiut filling more than 150 of those positions. Of course all that wealth and opportunity does not come without some drawbacks. Police say crime has been on the rise in Baker Lake. Surely the influx of money has led to more spending on drugs and alcohol by some, and that means more episodes of violence and domestic disputes. As well, there was a recent reminder of the environmental risk associated with having industry as a neighbour. Just a couple of weeks ago, approximately 40,000 litres of diesel spilled on the 110 km road connecting the mine site and the community. There is a fuel tank farm at the mine designed to supply up to 40 million litres, so the potential for spills is substantial. Over in Hall Beach, there are questions about what effect massive cargo ships navigating in and out of Roche Bay to transport iron ore in the future may have on seals, a staple in residents' diets. That situation is going to have to be monitored closely. As has been suggested by some, compensation for any disruption to wildlife habitat will be a requirement. Hall Beach is also in the midst of investing $5.1 million in renovating its community hall and constructing an addition to the building. There is the opportunity for "legacy projects" that the companies proposing to extract the iron ore - Advanced Explorations Inc. and Xinxing Ductile Iron Pipes Co. Ltd. - could help to fund, whether it's a swimming pool, a new school or a better health centre. While the two companies do not represent a bank that will provide money for any cause, they are proposing to sink up to $1 billion in the Roche Bay project, a staggering amount of money. By comparison, the GN has proposed a $1.3 billion budget for all of its spending in Nunavut in 2010-2011. There are many other glimmering opportunities on Nunavut's horizon. Baffinland's enormous iron ore project south of Pond Inlet recently attracted a buyout offer from an Australian company. Other prospects hold tremendous promise in the Kitikmeot, like Newmont's gold projects and the Sabina Gold and Silver sites. Nunavummiut are going to have to sharpen their negotiating skills and focus more on training opportunities as these prospective mines advance.
Bogging down adoptions Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, October 15, 2010
It's understandable the hospital and its NWT SPCA partners would want to be as thorough as possible in their attempt to match abandoned dogs and cats with responsible pet owners. But after reviewing the five-page application form the hospital requires potential adopters to fill out before taking a pet home, we find ourselves sharing Dr. Tom Pisz's concerns. The longtime Yellowknife veterinarian acknowledges the form is time-consuming for both applicants and staff, and no matter how many questions it contains, it can't weed out the people who would write deceptive answers. In fact, we'd be surprised if anyone would truthfully answer questions about future job plans or whether they're having children. It's frankly none of the animal shelter's business anyway. The reality is that the shelter is in competition with, if not local breeders and giveaways, then those down south as well. Adopting a pet from the animal shelter can cost up to $500. The cost alone must be discouraging for those who aren't seriously committed to having a pet. And in all likelihood, it makes the idea of going down to Edmonton and purchasing a dog or cat no questions asked all the more attractive. No doubt it is frustrating for SPCA volunteers and animal hospital staff to deal with abandoned pets. That the SPCA is calling for a shelter of its own shows this is a real problem. But if the idea is to encourage more people to adopt from them and not from somewhere else it would seem a shorter, less intrusive application form would be better.
Enough with the non-answers, Your Worship Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, October 15, 2010 It's not unheard of for Mayor Gord Van Tighem to provide a rhetorical answer to a serious question but he ought to be less facetious when addressing the ongoing problems in Northland Trailer Park. City councillor Cory Vanthuyne asked the mayor last week what will happen if there is another sewer line failure in the trailer park during the upcoming winter, similar to what occurred last February when a sewer line collapsed and had to be re-routed above ground. Van Tighem's response was to suggest that residents would band together and come to their own aid. He offered no commitment from city hall. A warm comfort for Northland residents, we're sure. Northland trailer owners will ultimately be responsible for covering the costs of replacing the much needed water and sewer infrastructure, estimated at $18 million. That's because previous condominium boards that ran the park didn't put any money aside to pay for infrastructure replacements. Van Tighem suggests the focus should remain on findings ways to fund the repairs, but as long as Northland remains without a payment plan, it is at the mercy of time and the elements. Is Van Tighem suggesting the city will do nothing should Northland suffer a catastrophic failure between now and then? Since the city will undoubtedly have to cover the cost of any major repair in the meantime, it's not unreasonable to demand to know where the city is going to find the money. There are 1,100 residents in Northland; Van Tighem's choice to sidestep Vanthuyne's question assures Northland homeowners and renters that only uncertainty awaits them this winter.
A strong finish Editorial Comment Kassina Ryder Deh Cho Drum - Thursday, October 14, 2010
A lack of physical competence combined with a certain degree of laziness means I would much rather sit down somewhere comfy than chase a ball around. But there's no denying the places playing a sport can take a person, especially in small Northern communities. While the community I grew up in wasn't in the North, it certainly qualified as small. My elementary school had about 100 people including students and staff, which meant if some overly optimistic gym teacher decided we should have a girl's basketball team that year, everyone from Grade 6 and upwards had to play. This, unfortunately, included me. Maybe it was because I was afraid of the ball. Or maybe it was because I didn't bother to actually learn the rules. Either way, the mere thought of playing basketball in elementary school was enough to throw me into about 60 different kinds of panic. When some unsuspecting teammate passed me the ball, despite my wearing a facial expression that clearly read: "For the love of Pete, do not pass that ball to me," I never seemed to know what to do with it. Sports such as basketball and soccer can provide opportunities many young people wouldn't otherwise get to have. Not only do athletes get to compete against different and possibly more challenging opponents than can be found in their home communities, they also get the opportunity to travel to places they might not otherwise get to see. For example, a group of athletes from Fort Simpson will be travelling to Kugluktuk (formerly known as Coppermine), Nunavut to play soccer at the end of the month. In addition to being able to play against teams they've never played before, these athletes will get a chance to play soccer in a part of the world rarely seen. The most westerly community in Nunavut, Kugluktuk is known for its beautiful scenery and culture. During their visit, they will see things they've never seen before and hear a language they've never heard before. On a smaller scale, athletes from Kakisa Lake School recently visited Fort Providence to participate in the NWT School Cross Country Championship. It was still a great opportunity for the kids to leave their home community and experience a different place. Young athletes should take advantage of the experiences awarded to them. And if there is a member of the team looking absolutely terrified when the ball comes anywhere near them, remember a word of encouragement can go a long way. Kassina Ryder is the acting editor for Deh Cho Drum. Roxanna Thompson will return later this month.
Keep the momentum going Editorial Comment Andrew Rankin Inuvik Drum - Thursday, October 14, 2010
One of the older students I spoke to afterwards said she was encouraged by the event because when she was in her 20s the issue of violence, especially in group settings, was a taboo subject. A similar discussion should take place at Samuel Hearne Secondary School. So it's a step in the right direction. There are many women in abusive relationships in Inuvik. Discussing the definition of harassment and abuse and providing ways for women to protect themselves against it are useful. But there should be more talk and emphasis on ways abused women can find professional help and start the process of getting out of abusive relationships. There's not much in the way of safe havens for abused woman in this town. But there's a small women's shelter here, which is vastly underfunded, and there are counselling professionals at Aurora College and the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services Authority ready to help. Perhaps it's time a coalition involving working professionals and concerned citizens team up to help these women at risk, even if it's just a weekly supper gathering or support group assembly. These women might not come regularly but at least they have the option to visit a safe, supportive place. The law is limited in the extent it can help abused women. If the victim doesn't press charges then nothing can be done. The cycle continues. I learned this point last year after adding the police assault a domestic assault which I witnessed outside my apartment. I offered to even identify the offender but was told my effort would be futile without a complainant. There's very little we in Inuvik can do to change the criminal code. But it would be useful for a support group to be established and seen year around and not just during Family Violence Awareness Week. Diavik's hands are tied Yellowknifer - Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Since Diavik stopped flying up workers from Edmonton in November 2009, more and more prospective southern employees were turning down employment offers, according to a spokesperson with the diamond mine. With the Canadian economy having largely recovered from the recession, skilled workers are again flocking to the oilsands in Alberta. Competition for certified tradespeople is again becoming fierce. Eliminating Edmonton as a pick-up point was a good attempt by Diavik to get people to move to the NWT if they're going to work here. However, the high cost of living and almost zero vacancy rate in the city, which potential hires said were the main reasons for turning down work in the territory, is something out of Diavik's control. Dettah Chief Ed Sangris criticized Diavik for the move, saying "our people are going to lose because jobs are being taken up by southerners." If Sangris doesn't want to see jobs lost to southern hires, the Yellowknives must continue to encourage band members to complete training programs through the Mine Training Society. If qualified Northern workers were available to fill the jobs necessary for the mine, Diavik wouldn't have to resort to reopening the Edmonton pick-up point. The territorial government and the City of Yellowknife need to find ways to make the cost of living less of a burden to potential hires and find incentives to get residential development moving. Until then, our growth will surely remain stagnant.
Bylaw officers keep our roads safe Yellowknifer - Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Last week the owner of Yk Motors complained that a driver being pulled over by a bylaw officer parked in his lot, and the bylaw vehicle followed, blocking the entrance to his gas station and thus costing him business. Two years ago this was happening so often he complained to the manager of the municipal enforcement division. On the other side of town, a woman who is responsible for getting her younger siblings safely to and from school wants more enforcement and harsher punishments for drivers who speed in school zones. Bylaw officers have given out 78 tickets for speeding in school zones since Aug. 25 - an average of 13 a week. It's safe to say that, as in most professions, bylaw officers get more complaints than pats on the back. It must be especially frustrating when one person complains there's not enough traffic enforcement, and another complains about where bylaw chooses to pull people over. It's the job of bylaw officers to enforce the rules of the road, and we're sure pedestrians and the majority of drivers who operate their vehicles safely appreciate the work they do, even if they don't take the time to say so. As for the drivers who don't slow down in school zones, you deserve whatever fine is coming your way.
Small walk can lead to big thoughts Darrell Greer Kivalliq News - Wednesday, October 13, 2010 The walk against violence in Coral Harbour stirred a host of emotions in me this past week. It took me back almost two decades, to when I was attending Holland College in Charlottetown, P.E.I. I had the opportunity to take part in a workshop being given by a university professor who I admired greatly and, along with about 25 other aspiring journalists, I jumped at the chance. The associate professor was the University of Regina's Nick Russell, who wrote Morales and the Media - a must read for anyone who envisions themselves one day making decisions in a newsroom. While the entire workshop was completely captivating and incredibly informative, one section will always stay with me. It dealt with a photo published in reports of the female massacre at the University of Montreal (Ecole Polytechnique) in the aftermath of Marc Lepine's rampage that left 14 women dead on Dec. 6, 1989. The photo showed a dead woman slumped in a chair in the foreground, with a plainclothes policeman in the background taking down a holiday banner that read Bonne Annee (Happy New Year). The photo was taken through a window by a Montreal photographer. The section was a debate on whether the photo should have run, followed by an illuminating talk by Russell on the decision-making process that takes place in a newsroom when such incidents arise. To cut to the chase; the proper decision was made to run the photo. It was a striking photograph that vividly displayed the multitude of emotions the tragedy invoked. The horror, grief, pain and sadness, as well as the grim irony the officer may have felt in that situation, were all perfectly encapsulated in that one picture. Today's newspapers are often accused of being overly sensationalist and, truth be told, there are grounds for that accusation with a number of publications. However, readers rarely, if ever, get to see the emotional and often heated discussions that take place in a newsroom when such decisions must be made. That's especially true with publications that try to adhere to high moral standards. And that, in itself, is yet another example of the far-reaching effects violence has on our society. Few things elicit such a maelstrom of emotion as senseless acts of violence, especially when directed at women and children. That's why the media needs to report on such incidents, and report hard on them, to unleash those emotions and compel people to take action against such acts. Coral Mayor Dorothy Ningeocheak was bang on when she said the worst thing people can do is pretend such things don't happen. And, although it isn't always immediately obvious, she's also correct in her assertion that every little bit helps when it comes to keeping people's attention on the problem, even if it is often painful to do so. Even a short walk by a group of women in a small Northern community can get the wheels turning in a person's mind. Corrections In the Oct. 11 story "Population drain troubles SAO," Fort McPherson SAO Toby Neuendorf didn't mean government agencies should have full authority to make hiring decisions for hamlets, just that those agencies should have some input. News/North apologizes for any confusion. An error appeared in the Oct. 11 edition of Nunavut News/North in the brief entitled "Road to Meliadine planned." Agnico-Eagle is still waiting for the necessary permits before the project can move forward. News/North apologizes for any confusion resulting from the error.
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