Boosting languagesDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, March 26, 2015
The role language plays in our world is incalculable. Without it we wouldn't be able to share history, express how we feel or share our feelings or opinions about any given issue effecting our community or the world around us.
Indeed, it would be a different world without it. And for many aboriginal people across Canada, there is a terrifying reality that the spoken languages which have shaped First Nations people for centuries, could someday, fall dormant.
Dahti Tsetso is hesitant to say South Slavey is dying or needs to be revitalized, despite the name of the program she's in to learn the language. The Aboriginal Language Revitalization Program, offered by the University of Victoria and in partnership with the Dehcho First Nation, the region's education council and Fort Providence, is giving the young mother of two the chance to wake a sleeping giant.
The language, she said, will never die. Despite her limited knowledge of South Slavey, when she began the program to become a fluent speaker, something awoke. The exposure to it she had while growing up planted the seed of the language in her. It lay dormant, and is now awake in her.
The reality is, however, fewer people are speaking the language than ever before. Government statistics on language show a 20 per cent drop in use over the last 20 years in the region. Having more than half the speakers older than 50 indicates younger generations, who may speak the language with limited ability, aren't taking it up as a regular form of communication.
The program has 17 students, the vast majority of students from the Dehcho, who are immersed in the language with the goal of becoming fluent speakers. Students are to speak it as much as possible and are told to refrain from using English at all when they're stuck, having been taught survival phrases to help them grasp the language better when they may not know what something is.
Preparing students to speak the language does more than just strengthen its presence in the communities. With a number of language instructors in the school system nearing retirement, the program is training the next wave of South Slavey speakers to carry on the work being done by current language instructors in the classroom.
Not only does it connect young people to the language, an integral and important part of having the strongest connect to tradition and heritage possible, it also bridges a growing gap between younger generations and elders. Having a number of elders who speak only South Slavey helps to build a stronger, more culturally-driven community.
Because of the program, Tsetso is hopeful she'll be able to carry on the language and pass it on to her children when they get older. This, in itself, speaks volumes to the importance of this program in the Dehcho.
Highway delays to be expectedInuvik Drum - Thursday, March 26, 2015
If the slow progress being made on the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway isn't enough to make you feel a twinge of sympathy for the companies constructing it, perhaps the reality of their task will.
There's an argument to be made that the GNWT and project consultants were overly ambitious with their estimates on how many kilometres of highway could be completed on a year-to-year basis.
Those estimates suggested that the highway, being constructed simultaneously from the north and south ends at Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, should cover 20 km of ground from both ends. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?
It becomes less reasonable when you stop and think that the Inuvik end likely rises some 200 feet or more above sea level, in topography that has never been built on anywhere else.
That's why the general public should, at least temporarily, stifle the urge to let out a roar of frustration that from the Inuvik side only two of the 20 km that were estimated for the second season have been completed.
That's on top of the fact that 12 of the 20 km expected last year were finished.
Yes, only 14 of the 40 km predicted for this point have been covered. That's disappointing at face value, but it's clear the predictions issued by the GNWT and its project managers were overly optimistic and didn't take into full account the logistical difficulties of constructing the south end of the highway.
It's difficult to say how much political spin was put into those estimates. Undoubtedly, the government and its staff were under considerable political pressure to put forward a schedule that seemed palatable to the public, where some serious questioning of the cost of the project was taking place.
If the government was aware the schedule was unlikely to be met but didn't amend it, it's almost like the construction companies were set up to fail and take the heat.
If the government didn't fully appreciate the enormous difficulties of building the road through the region north of Inuvik, after all of the preparation work and studies, that's a bit inexplicable too.
Nevertheless, the GNWT is putting on a brave face when it comes to the project, and painting an optimistic outlook that many taxpayers won't share.
Only time will tell if the highway opens on time and on budget.
At this point, concern and scepticism from the public is more than understandable.
Power options on the tableYellowknifer - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A month-long shutdown to fix one of Snare Hydro's turbines shows yet again that without an overhaul of the territory's woefully inadequate power system the NWT is doomed to skyrocketing energy costs with no hope of lowering them.
The increased diesel usage while one of the hydro plant's turbines was being repaired - about $1.15 million worth - is on top of the $20 million of diesel NWT Power Corporation is expected to burn to make up for the lack of hydro production spurned on by last summer's drought.
The GNWT bailed out ratepayers on the $20 million, which would have added 13 per cent to power bills in the territory, but with the government squeezed at the top of its $800 million debt ceiling it only has so many options left before the costs are offloaded on ordinary power consumers.
It's worth pointing out yet again, that all this burning of dirty diesel - about the same amount that goes up in smoke every day in New Delhi, India - is tarnishing the green bona fides so carefully cultivated by city hall and the GNWT. What's the point of installing wood pellet boilers and LED lights everywhere if the government is just going to clog the air up with toxic diesel fumes so everyone can have electricity?
The GNWT recently announced it is absorbing NT Energy - the government-owned energy planning corporation - and the energy planning division with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and consolidating them into one division under the Department of Public Works.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins says he believes this will lead to greater efficiencies in locating and exploiting alternative energy sources.
We certainly hope so because while other jurisdictions -- including Diavik Diamond Mine, which has erected windmills to help offset its diesel costs - are exploring wind power, solar power and geothermal, the territory continues to have almost of its marbles in diesel and hydro - both of which are becoming prohibitively expensive to run.
The time to diversify the territory's energy portfolio is now. Without alternative energy sources and options, power bills will continue rise, along with the exodus of people
Niven needs a safe walkYellowknifer - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A safety issue is raised. The City of Yellowknife and the territorial government battle it out over who should pay to fix the problem. The idea is mothballed. Every so often, someone raises the issue but nothing gets done. It feels like deja vu.
One could be talking about the safety concerns associated with the stretch of road from 49 Avenue to Niven Gate on Highway 4, which Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley pointed out in the legislative assembly has no sidewalk for pedestrians.
Or one could be talking about water safety for the beach on Long Lake.
Eventually, the water safety concern got a response. But it took a child's death to make it happen.
Hopefully, that won't be the case with the walkway but it very well could be. Without a proper sidewalk, how long will it before someone is struck by a vehicle and killed? Were that to happen, the responsibility would lie with those who were unable to find a solution -- namely the city and the GNWT.
This isn't the first time the issue has been raised.
Ecology North brought the matter to light last May when it called on Niven residents to pressure the GNWT and the city to make the roadway a safer option for pedestrians. Let's call that fair warning. At the time, Coun. Phil Moon Son said he'd be willing to go along with the idea of having the city take over the stretch of road if GNWT funding could be arranged to maintain it.
Almost a year later, it looks like we're still at that point. The territory wants to unload this road onto the city. The city doesn't want to take on the liability.
And so they are at an impasse.
Here's what seems fair: the territory and the city should work out an agreement where they share the cost of a solution that sees a safer option for pedestrians walking down that stretch of road. The GNWT foot the bill for two thirds the cost. The GNWT has the larger budget so it can handle the larger share. This seems fitting considering the legislative assembly's proximity to the road. The city can pay a third and take over maintenance from therein.
That still leaves some issues up for discussion, such as whether a bike lane and pedestrian overpass is needed too, but getting the GNWT and city to agree on at least a sidewalk would seem a major success at this point.
Time to back a different kind of teamEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
My conversation with an Arviat teacher was thought provoking this past week.
I was struck by Gord Billard's contention that it may be time for the sport and recreation division (formerly Sport Nunavut) to expand its scope to include the precious few performing art troupes we have in Nunavut.
I smiled when Billard referred to the young thespians as the "drama team," trying to wedge his foot into the door of a funding source currently out of reach.
Sadly, I was not at all surprised to hear him lament the fact there is next to nowhere to turn to secure funding for a performing arts group to take its production on the road.
Art funding has been taking hit after hit across this great nation for awhile now.
It's time that changes, especially here in the Kivalliq.
I've seen and written about the effect the Missoula Children's Theatre has on youths when it makes its annual sojourn to the Kivalliq.
And I've long admired the work done by the Arviat Drama Club based out of John Arnalukjuak High School, especially since the club began tackling issue plays a few years back.
In his conversation with me, Billard acknowledged the studies and various projects aimed at reducing the number of suicides we suffer in our region each and every year.
He also noted their general ineffectiveness in lowering that number.
Youth, especially teenagers, tend to relate to one another in ways the professional world often sees, but fails to successfully access.
Talking to one another through art - whether music, visual or the spoken word - can be a powerful vehicle of communication and illumination for youths when delivered properly.
Issue plays have the enviable ability of being able to have their message wrapped with humour and drama.
They entertain, as well as inform and promote dialogue when properly directed and presented.
And, with Billard at the helm, I don't see proper presentation posing any threat to the production's message.
There are many youths across the Kivalliq whose names pop up no matter what the activity seems to be.
The young female excelling in the cadet program, is also excelling at soccer, taking a lead role in a community art project and signing up for Northern Youth Abroad, Students on Ice or the Canadian World Youth program.
Many others in the region excel at volleyball, traditional sports and hockey, reaping the benefits to their personal development these sports deliver.
But not all children excel at sports, or are into them for that matter, and a vibrant arts scene is a way for a number of these youths to spread their wings and express themselves.
Promoting performance art and getting some of these kids "on the road" would be an effective way of bringing the youth of our region together to share ideas and to realize that although they live in different communities, they share many similarities in their lives.
It could even lead to a united front in tackling some of the monsters we have been unable to slay in the Kivalliq, such as suicide.
That sure sounds like a "team" to get behind to me!
Dehcho tumult business as usualNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, March 23, 2015
Settling land claims and striking a form of self-government is a high stakes game.
Tens of thousands of square kilometres, millions of dollars worth of subsurface royalties and access to the Mackenzie Valley corridor are on the table. After close to 15 years of negotiations the territorial government and Dehcho First Nations have found themselves in a very public impasse. The territorial government is offering 37,500 square kilometres and 17.78 per cent of subsurface royalties and Dehcho First Nations has responded that they will accept nothing less than 50,000 square kilometres of land.
Premier Bob McLeod maintains his position that the government's offer is "the best in the history of the NWT, if not Canada." Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, on the other hand, says the government is not only failing in its constitutional duty to negotiate in good faith with the First Nation, but accusing it of using "bullying" tactics. The revelation of a letter to Norwegian from McLeod contradicting the premier's steadfast denial that the GNWT has threatened to walk away from the negotiating table throws more fuel on the fire.
It all looks mighty ugly from the sidelines, but leaders in this territory have a long and storied history of hard-fought negotiations that have led to innovative bilateral agreements.
Consider how long it took Deline's chief negotiator, Danny Gaudet, to strike the deal that would create what he has called the most comprehensive indigenous self-governing system in the history of Canada. It took 19 years of negotiations, a path that no doubt included some degree of struggle and compromise. But it is from this struggle and compromise that the First Nation has won the right to start allocating income tax and GST toward made-in-Deline social programming. This means the band will no longer be reliant on federal core band funding, which was cut last year to $140,000 from $325,000 annually.
Over in the Tlicho, it took almost two decades to settle land claims but today the First Nation is financially strong and delivering programs to its members.
The territorial government itself has only in the past year realized the dream of devolution over resources and land after negotiations began in 2001.
Since then, Tlicho and Sahtu leaders have questioned the constitutionality of an aspect of this agreement and have taken the federal government to court. Earlier this month, NWT Supreme Court Justice Karan Shaner sided with the Tlicho by halting the implementation of a pan-territorial land and water board, which would have dissolved the First Nation's regional Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board. The Tlicho is fighting to save its land and water board which is, of course, one of the fruits of the previously-mentioned Tlicho Agreement.
Back in the Deh Cho, the grand chief is merely following a tradition forged by a number of predecessors, including McLeod himself.
The public slinging of threats over the past few months seems ugly but at least both sides have put their stance on the table so Dehcho First Nations band members and NWT citizens can bend their leaders' ear. It's the best chance each side has to achieve the best possible outcome for the people they represent.
Consider teaching Inuit culture to outsiders at Nunavut universityNunavut/News North - Monday, March 23, 2015
It is interesting to note that Education Minister Paul Quassa reignited interest in a university in Nunavut at the same time Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Ottawa announced they had reached a tentative agreement on a 10-year-old, $1-billion lawsuit over the federal government failing to meet its obligations under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
A portion of the lawsuit and discussion has been Ottawa's failure to meet requirements in Article 23, which calls for a minimum percentage of Inuit to be employed by the Government of Nunavut, a goal easier to say than achieve. In 2005, Government-appointed conciliator Thomas Berger observed a situation that continues to some extent to the present day, that "the problem is not on the demand side of the equation. The Government of Nunavut has strived mightily to provide opportunities for virtually all qualified Inuit. The problem is that the supply of qualified Inuit is exhausted."
That in itself justifies the need for a university in Nunavut, to provide a place in the territory for high school graduates to naturally progress, to give them a place to aspire, a made-in-Nunavut solution.
Quassa, who is also the minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, has asked a number of organizations and two existing universities to prepare an options paper for cabinet in time for consideration before the spring session, so that there can be an announcement of some magnitude.
On the table are a "stand-alone university, a university college, a pan-territorial university, an Inuit Nunangat university, or some combination of those."
There is already $5 million in seed money for the bricks-and-mortar construction of a university promised by the mining giant Agnico Eagle.
Quassa's announcement in the legislative assembly gets the ball rolling and the NTI-Ottawa lawsuit serves to demonstrate the need and the success of Nunavut Arctic College's teacher education and nursing programs shows it can be done.
A workshop later this month will involve representatives of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Laval University and Carleton University.
The two outside players can provide a unique perspective on Nunavut, its unique location and climate, and how other universities have tailored their programs to attract students.
Perhaps among the considerations could be the potential development of a Northern Studies curriculum, the sharing of traditional knowledge handed down through generations of Inuit and program offerings that would be attractive to students from across Canada and throughout the world.
Many universities offer a unique experience to students based on their environment, culture and history.
Nunavut has much to offer in that regard, as long as there is sufficient infrastructure to provide services and accommodation.
Just as there is not a large enough educated population to meet the employment needs of the government of Nunavut, there likely aren't enough high school graduates in Nunavut to fill a university.
Looking outside the territory, while protecting Inuit culture and values, must be a consideration.
Hypocrisy over city deadline Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, March 20, 2015
Miss a property tax payment and the city won't hesitate putting your house on the auction block and your address in a public notice saying your taxes are late.
If the city makes a mistake on your tax assessment, however, and you don't catch it within the 45-day window the city provides, too bad. That's your mistake. This is the message and the hypocrisy signalled by the city's insistence that it's up to the taxpayer to catch its mistakes within the time-allotted window.
Telling people, "sorry time is up. Better luck next year," adds credence to the accusations of arrogance at city hall.
Tax assessments are complicated and difficult to interpret at the best of times.
Providing an example of just how difficult it can be to untangle the web of numbers and equations making up city tax assessments, last week Coun. Adrian Bell shared the story of a Yellowknife property owner who had been met with a rather unwelcome surprise -- after dutifully paying his taxes without questioning his assessment for several years, he learned he was being taxed for a non-existent basement extension as a result of an error made by the city's assessor.
The example was rightly offered up by Bell as a cause for concern. While the imaginary basement unit was the only specific instance cited by Bell, he pointed out, quite worryingly, that oversights like this one probably happen a lot.
Even more astonishing than the revelation that residents are being unjustly taxed for property improvements that don't exist, is the city's response. Rather than admitting fault and making amends, administration doubled down and said even if the assessor had conjured up the new suite out of thin air, the onus was on the property owner to catch the mistake. Alas, this year's March 9 deadline has already passed. In other words, if you've only just realized the city is charging you a little extra for that new loft you never got around to building, tough luck.
If the recent Kam Lake tax debacle is any indication, there is certainly more than enough reason for residents to be wary about the city's ability to crunch numbers. After assessments were sent out last year, administration repeatedly assured the public not to fret - mill rates would be adjusted to account for the property assessment increases.
Then came the property bills for Kam Lake and 300 per cent increases.
Bell's suggestion, subsequently supported by all of council, that the city should make it easier for residents to check the accuracy of their statements by setting up a comprehensive website to demystify the process is a no-brainer and will go a long way in reassuring those who feel overwhelmed by the numbers.
However, it will do little to ease the pain for those whose wallets are a little lighter this year because they have failed to catch the city's errors. If the city really wanted to give residents a surprise they could look forward to, they could be more lenient with the time frame for appealing their tax assessments, especially when it is the city in the wrong.
Cabin spaces help make North attractive Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, March 20, 2015
Nobody needs to be reminded the territorial government is having a difficult time in its Northern resident recruitment strategy.
The jobs up here are well-paying, steady and long-term, yet government postings remain unfilled and the fly-in-fly-out mine worker population continues to grow.
Turning this trend around is not about offering better paying jobs. That strategy is unrealistic and self-defeating; at some wage-point it becomes cheaper to fly in a worker on rotation than to pay a wage premium. Wages will always be capped at that point because it's not in the interest of a corporation to subsidize northern residency. Moreover, our largest employer - the GNWT - must keep wages under control for fiduciary reasons as much as to avoid skewing the labour market further.
That's why Lands Minister Robert C. McLeod's decision last week to open 22 already-existing recreational property leases to the public through a lottery was a good idea in the context of improving Northern residency.
Creating recreational opportunities for those who may choose to live in North is part of a sober plan for growing our population. Not only does it not cost the GNWT anything to open these lots up for use, it may add 22 reasons to why moving to Yellowknife is a good idea, or add 22 reasons to why it's a good idea to stay.
