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The good news in 2016
Yellowknifer - Wednesday, January 4, 2017

There was a lot about 2016 to make Yellowknifers feel uneasy, starting with the economy.

The city was still smarting when the year began over De Beers' announcement in December that it was closing its troubled Snap Lake mine and laying off more than 400 workers after seven short years of production. The company recently announced that it couldn't find a buyer for the mine and will now flood it. This follows a decision by Dominion Diamonds to move its headquarters - and 100 jobs -- from Yellowknife to Calgary, and the laying off of 51 workers at Diavik Diamond mine.

The territorial government meanwhile - also feeling the pinch - spent much of the year looking for places to trim and warning of more cuts to come.

The economy remains a cause for concern but there has been some better news on the social side of things.

This year, after years of public pressure, municipal and territorial leaders, non-profit organizations and other special interest groups mapped out a comprehensive plan to alleviate poverty in Yellowknife. This city, with less than 20,000 people, has the highest per capita homelessness rate in the country. The problem is everywhere, and finally leaders seem to have summoned the political will to actually fight this thing. The plan, which includes an expansion of shelters, a pathway to permanent housing with Housing First, an emergency mobile unit, a sobering centre, a managed alcohol program and various other supports, will need money and lots of it.

The good news is, at least some money seems to be flowing. The Department of Health and Social Services has stepped up with more money to extend day shelter hours, the federal government has provided $600,000 for more beds at the Salvation Army and Centre for Northern Families and Housing First is chugging along with six people housed so far. City council ramped up social spending in the city budget, passed in December, with $50,000 earmarked for a homelessness employment program, $100,000 to go toward the mobile street outreach service and $300,000 for community safety officers.

These are good initiatives that are going to help vulnerable people and make Yellowknife a safer place for all of us. If the municipal, territorial and federal government continues to devote energy and resources to this cause then maybe -- just maybe -- the city might actually make a dent in this massive problem.

For people feeling anxious about the city's future: it's still possible to make Yellowknife -- and the Northwest Territories -- a great place to live. Reducing homelessness and addictions will make the city more attractive, not only for people already living here but to newcomers and potential investors who see the city as a great place to build a life and business but worry not enough is being done to curb its social issues.

So as 2017 begins, let's take a moment to appreciate the good work that has been done in the city over the past year and continue to hold our elected leaders to a high standard.


Thanks for helping keep Kivalliq News truly regional
Editorial Comment by Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Well, valued readers, here we are at the start of a brand-new year.

There are so many possibilities ahead for the Kivalliq region, and, hopefully, the vast majority of the news throughout the upcoming 12 months will be of the good news variety.

I'm proud to be in my 19th year of doing the Kivalliq News for our readership.

It's a wonderful challenge each-and-every week, and one I could never successfully accomplish without the help of a number of folks across our region.

On that note, as I do every year, I would like to dedicate the first column inches of the year to those good folks.

Here in Rankin, my longtime friend Noel Kaludjak continues to also be a great friend to this publication.

As most who call Rankin home realize, Noel is a picture-taking madman.

He is also nice enough to know I can't be at two places at once, have a hard time taking action photos of big hockey games when I'm on the ice officiating, and actually enjoy having an evening off.

His photo contributions to Kivalliq News are often invaluable and, as always, I thank him profusely for his help.

Up in Naujaat, I don't know what I'd do without the photo contributions and story leads from Julia MacPherson and Lloyd Francis.

Julia keeps me up to date with everything going on at Naujaat's wonderful high school, and Lloyd keeps me in the loop on the successes of his most awesome cadet corps.

And both keep me in the loop on community news in general.

To Julia and Lloyd, my humble thank you for all you do outside your teaching duties during the year.

Being a regional newspaper, stories from our smaller communities are of utmost importance to me.

And, for many years, Victor Sammurtok School teacher Glen Brocklebank in Chesterfield Inlet has come through for me on that front.

Glen and his wife, fellow teacher Ana Leishman, are tireless workers for the kids in their community, and I appreciate them both taking the time to get me photos from the school and passing on the news of the community to me.

In Arviat, Gord Billard is yet another Kivalliq teacher who goes above and beyond the call of duty in being involved with youth projects in the community.

He has introduced generations of kids to the magic of the theatre as a director, and has never shied away from topical issues.

Gord is another I owe a huge debt of gratitude to for his contributions.

Also, in Arviat, Eric Anoee Jr., master of the digital realm, keeps me in the loop on many projects throughout the year, and often contributes photos to Kivalliq News, such as the awesome photos he provided from the Charlie Panigoniak benefit concert.

Thank you Eric. Your contributions are most appreciated.

I would be remiss if I did not give an honourable mention to Karen Yip for her help this past year in Baker Lake, and there are many others who send me photos now and again during the year.

While there are far too many to name in this space, you all know who you are and I thank each and every one of you for your contributions.

So, after getting all caught up with the thanks we owe so many people for helping to keep Kivalliq News a truly regional publication, it's time to set our sights back on the year at hand.

I look forward to hearing from all six of our communities outside Rankin this year, and having the opportunity to, once again, write about the exciting events and awesome people who make Kivalliq so special.

Have a great year, everyone!

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