Harvest of complacencyYellowknifer - Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Why is it that more than 10 years after production ceased at Giant Mine the territorial government is just now finally warning people that eating mushrooms picked near Yellowknife may be hazardous to their health?
It's not like the mine's arsenic problem from five decades of smelting gold ore has been kept a secret buried in some mine executive's backyard. The issue been agonized over and studied to death for years.
Nonetheless, only after anticipation mounted of the army of pickers arriving to cash in on an expected bumper crop of morel mushrooms did the government warn of an arsenic danger in mushrooms. Morels are highly prized by chefs and connoisseurs for their meaty texture and earthy taste, with dried ones going for as much as $300 a pound.
It's telling that the warning is coming from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), not the Department of Health and Social Services. Clearly the GNWT is concerned about the negative publicity that might ensue should morels picked near Yellowknife be tested and found to be contaminated.
The NWT could have all the morels in the world within walking distance of Highway 3 but they will be worthless on the international market if instead of becoming the toast of haute cuisine, they are derided as "arsenic mushrooms."
The ITI warning is explicit. It recommends pickers stay 50 km from the city due to "arsenic and heavy metals" being detected in mushrooms. Veteran picker Joachim Obst, who's written guidebooks on picking mushrooms for the GNWT, said he's been warning the government for years about arsenic from Giant Mine and the long-term dangers it poses to local pickers, namely the side effects that can lead to a variety of cancers.
He has determined as little 1.4 grams per day of locally picked mushrooms will exceed Canadian health standards for toxic inorganic arsenic. He estimates "a few hundred" people in Yellowknife pick mushrooms each year.
No one Yellowknifer has spoken to, including Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Andre Corriveau, appears to doubt his claims, which makes the health department's cavalier response to the problem so troubling.
Corriveau echoed ITI's warning on Monday not to pick mushrooms around Yellowknife but declined to issue an advisory as he believes few people do pick mushrooms here and bizarrely, argued that an advisory might only encourage more people to pick mushrooms around Yellowknife.
Looking on the health department's website, there is no shortage of advisories. Several involve mercury warnings for fish from lakes, some of them far from populated areas.
It would seem prudent to at least post a few signs on nature trails warning people not eat the mushrooms. And instead of ignoring Obst's concerns dating back many years that hundreds of people are picking local mushrooms, the health department should to try to verify whether or not that's the case. Many people may be at risk.
It seems a reasonable proposition that the government should listen to these concerns when they come from the person it hired as an expert consultant on mushrooms.
Right now, what seems most important to the GNWT is the golden morel egg about to rolled out onto the world stage, not the people here in Yellowknife who have been picking and eating mushrooms for years.
Odds favour Harper re-electionEditorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, April 22, 2015
If I had $20 for every time someone told me Prime Minister Stephen Harper has to go, or for every time I was asked who would still vote Conservative after the political subterfuge we've swallowed during the past few years, I could move the old retirement plans up a year or two.
Of course, the problem with living in the North is that most people who follow federal politics are of the working middle class, and face the stereotypical good news, bad news situation.
The good news is, collectively, we of the lower middle class pose the biggest threat to Harper's kingdom.
The bad news is, he doesn't care that much.
Think of us as denizens of the four estates, with Uncle Stephen living comfortably in the first estate -- once the home of religious leaders who trumped even royalty, and now the modern day crib of government leaders.
We, on the other hand, reside in the third estate -- once home to peasants, serfs and slaves, and now the perch of workers and taxpayers. You know, common folk.
The strength of Harper's voter base resides in the second estate -- once home to the ruling elite such as kings and queens, and now the domain of business leaders.
And in the fact we in the third estate tend mostly to agree to disagree.
Add on the interests of those in the second estate are almost always in direct conflict of those who in the third, and the unavoidable begins to come into focus.
And, as anyone who has been paying attention can tell you, Harper and big business are darn cosy.
Harper won his majority government in 2011 with 39.6 per cent of the popular vote, which remains his high-water mark of support.
He has money behind him, and is a master tactician who knows how to defend the middle ground he's held to by Canadian voters, despite being far right in his thinking.
Harper is aided in his business-as-usual approach by a fractured left and centre that splits votes and lacks the ability to unite the Canadian electorate in a wave of support.
The latest projections from ThreeHundredEight.com, updated on April 13, predict the Conservatives taking the upcoming October election with 32 per cent (120 to 161 seats), followed by the Liberals at 31 per cent (98 to 136 seats) and the NDP at 22 per cent (61 to 88 seats).
In short, were the federal election to be held today, the odds of Stephen Harper still being prime minister tomorrow are high.
NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and the Liberal's Justin Trudeau have their work cut out for them if we're going to see a surge to victory in the next six months.
Their main hurdle, in addition to Harper's brilliance on the political battlefield, is finding an issue to overcome the middle-of-the-road thinking of average Canadian voters.
As recently as 2011, the Environics Group of Companies had the percentage of Canadians who favour big government at 45 per cent, and those who prefer smaller government at 40 per cent.
With even the disgrace of Senate members Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau unable to swing voter opinion away from the Conservatives, Trudeau and Mulcair are in tough to find a magic political bullet by Oct. 19.
Should odds prevail, the answer to the query of who would vote for the Tories appears to be -- just enough!
Researchers should do their researchNorthwest Territories/News North - Monday, April 20, 2015
There is no doubt they had great intentions.
In February, University of Saskatchewan school of veterinary medicine and Parks Canada researchers arrived in the South Slave region to carry out diagnostic research on tuberculosis in wood bison. The plan was to apply several different diagnostic tests to 28 animals and log the results of those tests.
After this, they would cull the animals so a full post-mortem examination could be done and the researchers would discover which of the tests is the most accurate. The ultimate goal was to come up with a better way to track tuberculosis in bison herds because right now unreliable diagnostic testing means the best course of action to stop the spread of the bacteria is to kill the entire herd. It's an unsatisfactory solution for obvious reasons.
So why did the Fort Smith Metis Council, Salt River First Nation and Smith's Landing First Nation pull support from a project that could help identify and possibly even stop the spread of TB in their bison herds? Because the research team made the unfortunate mistake of overlooking an important part of their research process - they failed to invite representatives from the aboriginal communities to observe the operation from square one.
The researchers were aware the three First Nations groups had some expectation of involvement in the study - they invited people in the area to help with post-mortem exams and distribute non-diseased meat to people in the communities. But Metis Council president Ken Hudson had a different idea of what his group's involvement would entail.
"We wanted to observe their operation and make sure they're following all the protocols of chasing animals and drugging them and whatnot," he said.
"I've worked on projects before with government and we were involved right from shopping at the store to get groceries, to picking out camps, to deciding how we're going to do things."
This miscommunication has led the scientists to abandon the study, kiss the $100,000 they've spent so far goodbye and release the 28 bison, 75 per cent of which show signs of tuberculosis, back into the herd.
This is a shame, because bovine tuberculosis is a big deal. It can eventually kill its host, is highly contagious and can spread to other animals - including humans - although this is rare.
Hudson, Salt River First Nation Chief Frieda Martselos and Smith's Landing Chief Andrew Wandering Spirit have drawn a line in the sand by revoking permission to do this study, and they're not in the wrong. It is fair for them to have expectations of open dialogue, oversight and some degree of participation. But this does not negate the fact that bovine tuberculosis is a real problem in the area, as indicated by the overwhelming number of adult bison suspected of carrying it.
It's important that, despite this setback, the researchers don't give up on this project and that the local leaders work to reach an understanding, so this study has another chance to move forward.
Suicide prevention strategies not promoted in communitiesNunavut/News North - Monday, April 20, 2015
It is happening time and again in many of the communities in Nunavut. Celebrations, feasts and events are suddenly cancelled. The hamlet seems paralyzed as word spreads that another young person has taken their own life. Streets are deserted and curtains are drawn as people grieve a life lost.
Sometimes the despair goes on for days and, sadly, sometimes it repeats itself after someone else decides there is no reason to continue living.
Suicide is nothing new and its impact on communities is well known by the territorial government, bureaucrats in its various departments, social workers, health-care professions, the police and the coroner's office.
That is why it is so shocking to learn that prevention efforts have become so badly stalled that it's unknown what precisely has been done by government agencies to educate people about suicide, its causes, signs to watch for and resources to use to prevent someone from taking their own life.
Recent news that the office of the chief coroner has suspended indefinitely its intention to hold an inquiry into the high rate of suicide in the territory is beyond discouraging. An inquiry would look at the causes and affects of suicides and recommend methods and actions to prevent more from happening.
This past week we learned that the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy lapsed March 31 and a report tabled by Paul Okalik, the minister of both the Department of Health and Department of Justice, was compiled from data ending at the fiscal year end of March 2014 and was filled with broad, philosophical statements.
There were 41 objectives listed in the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy action plan, including a call for many specific actions in communities, at the grassroots level, where the most difference can be made among young people who are the most likely to take their own lives.
Questions raised by South Baffin MLA David Joanasie during the spring session of the legislative assembly were answered with the same response, that a "comprehensive evaluation" would be completed by March 31. That hasn't happened.
There are many barriers to implementation of a suicide prevention strategies at the community level, including the fact that the subject triggers historic trauma among those tasked with spreading the word.
We are astonished that the GN is unable to assess whether there are successful efforts in communities to prevent suicide. There are many plans at high levels but not much reported action.
Further inaction is unacceptable. The numbers of people who have committed suicide are unchanged but we have found that the number of attempts is disturbingly high.
Preventing suicide is so important because it is a matter of life and death. Too many people have died. It is about time government make prevention strategies in the communities a top priority.
Sex talk better than pill alone Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, April 17, 2015
It would be easy to misinterpret a recent study from the journal, Contraception, looking at what might happen if birth control pills were available over the counter.
It highlights opportunities to prevent unintended pregnancies but making oral contraceptives available without a prescription is not the answer.
The findings suggest 21 per cent of low-income women at risk for unintended pregnancy would be very likely to use the drug if it were available without a prescription. It also suggested an additional 11 to 21 per cent of these same women would use the pill if there were no out-of-pocket costs.
It shows there may be some low hanging fruit out there for those who want to do something about the youth pregnancy rate in the territory -- currently three times the national average.
Just imagine what it would mean for young women who got pregnant without intending to do so. What would it mean for the territory if 21 per cent more of these women could pursue more post-secondary education or advance through their careers before having children -- if they chose to do so at all?
Unfortunately, the world can sometimes be more complicated than statistical studies would imply.
While some countries do make oral contraceptives available through pharmacies without a prescription, including Kuwait and Mexico, that's not necessarily the best course of action.
Pharmacist and Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny pointed out some long-term concerns.
"After a period of time, the effectiveness of birth control tends to wane and sometimes prescriptions have to be switched."
It's unlikely a woman taking the pill would know this without advice from a medical professional.
The takeaway isn't necessarily that these drugs -- currently available only through a prescription across Canada -- should be available over-the-counter. It's that people are more likely to take advantage of sexual health products if they're more easily accessible.
Caroline Johnson, the executive director for the Centre for Northern Families, points out that seeing a physician for a birth control prescription also opens up an opportunity for one-on-one counselling. A sexually transmitted infection can mean more life changes than an unexpected pregnancy, and an opportunity to discuss ways to prevent that shouldn't be overlooked.
The solution would seem to be making medical professionals more available to patients seeking oral contraceptives.
If it were as easy to go in to a pharmacy and pick up oral contraceptives as it were to see a doctor or nurse practitioner, it stands to reason there would be fewer unintended pregnancies.
Childcare expectations unrealistic Weekend Yellowknifer - Friday, April 17, 2015
Ensuring children are prepared when they walk through the kindergarten doors is a necessity but it also isn't the whole picture.
The recent release of a GNWT study asserting that five year olds are unprepared when they enter the education system illustrates that more needs to be done to provide the necessary early education that will groom children for their future studies. There is no specific curriculum in place for daycare facilities, although some develop their own systems and independent bodies such as Montessori, have set programming - this also comes at an added cost.
Cost is one of several factors that come into play when looking at strengthening territorial support for preschool programming.
What does a parent look for when considering preschool for their child? A safe place - certainly. A welcoming and pleasant environment - of course. Something they can afford - absolutely. Whether the educational opportunities at that facility stack up to the competition - yes, this is important but undoubtedly safe, welcoming and affordable childcare takes precedence.
Push into politicsDeh Cho Drum - Thursday, April 16, 2015
The public doesn't head to the polling stations to cast their votes in the municipal election until late-October, but it's never too early to talk about the importance of civic engagement.
A number of current councillors, and Mayor Sean Whelly, plan to throw their name in the ring once again to represent residents of Fort Simpson for another term. The decision to occupy a seat on village council isn't a glamourous job, by any means. The pay is little, the work is lofty and often times complicated. Decisions have to be made for the betterment of the community and may be unpopular with residents, and can often-times lead to council making difficult decisions that, despite resistance, are in the best interest of the village moving forward.
Again, it's far from glamourous. However, the people who have a desire to give their time to make sure the village priorities and needs are met makes them individuals who care not just for themselves, but the community as a whole.
Being a municipal politician is no easy task during good economic periods, and in a time when budgets are tight and money isn't flowing into village coffers like it has in the past - and the territorial and federal governments are asking municipalities to do more with less - it's a whole different beast.
It's no secret the village is financially strapped, so much that even village assets in dire need of work are given only band-aid solutions to stay operational and safe: roads, water and sewer, the recreation complex, the village office and visitor's centre, the town garage, the list goes on. Councillors are tasked with maintaining old and in some ways crumbling infrastructure until better times shine through. The passion and desire council has to make this village the best it can be is visible at each and every council meeting.
Most, if not all of council, has lived here for the majority of their lives. They believe in this town and want what's best for its residents. They dream of a new recreation complex, a fitness centre, new village offices, an upgraded visitor's centre, better roads, landfill remediation and stopping the banks of the mighty Mackenzie River from swallowing the island.
While there is the potential for decades of council experience to remain for the next three-year term, it's important young people get involved in local politics. Selflessly applying your knowledge and vision to a civic position will help benefit your family, friends, neighbours, business owners and everyone else who lives here, or may one day live here.
While a voice in your head may say you can't make a difference, it's sorely wrong. You can, and if you think you want to help contribute to making Fort Simpson a better place, win or lose, you're doing what you think is best.
And that is a winning move.
Positive power of a Facebook postInuvik Drum - Thursday, April 16, 2015
It's been an interesting few days on social media in Inuvik.
On April 12, Denise Kurszewski started a lively discussion of the littering and trash problems in town and the surrounding area with a post and photo showing how much garbage she had collected near her camp outside of town.
Thirty-six comments later, Inuvik residents had made it quite clear they found the amount of trash they were seeing repugnant. That's even before the snow melts to reveal the full extent of the problem, which is likely to be appalling.
That's why every spring the Town of Inuvik offers money to people who collect the garbage. While that's a generous (and unfortunately necessary policy), it would be far simpler to reduce the littering to begin with. I'm not naive enough to think it can be eliminated all together, and certainly not overnight, but a reduction is certainly possible.
As many of the people offering comments noted, the problem shows a clear lack of respect for the land and environment. It's hard to argue against that notion.
Many of them thanked Kurszewski for publicizing the issue, and she does indeed a deserve a vote of thanks for it.
It's a good example of the positive power of social media, and its ability to connect people. That's a beneficial side to a much-criticized technology that's often overlooked.
Social media, especially Facebook, is wildly popular in Inuvik, making it a valuable forum for people to reach out and begin a conversation. It was also interesting to note that it was a positive and civil discussion, rather than shrill insults issued by people playing at being online "trolls."
In a more amusing side note, many people had doubtless been following the somewhat comical tale of a missing mattress that's been ongoing for more than a month.
The brand-new mattress went missing March 1 during the savage windstorm the blew through town.
It had been left in the back of a truck, and apparently seized by the wind and vanished in the Spruce Hill Drive area.
An appeal immediately went out on Facebook, but there had been no sign of it until Sunday, despite multiple searches and many eyes looking.
The slow snow melt finally uncovered the missing mattress in a backyard an impressive distance away from where it had disappeared.
All it took was another Facebook post to reunite the mattress with its probable owner within a day of its discovery, and doubtless satisfying the curiosity of many Inuvik residents.
Now, that was the way to start a week on a good note.
