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Suicide is not the Inuit way

From Oct. 8 to 10, Jack Anawak, the minister of culture, language, elders and youth, took part in an elders gathering in Igloolik. Below is an excerpt of a speech he gave on ways elders can improve the lives of Inuit youth. The accumulation of strength, insight and wisdom gathered in this room today represents the long and ongoing struggle for our people during challenging times to think through things, to cope, to search for solutions, to keep peace, to guide, to motivate each other and to cooperate to survive. These attitudes and behaviours were based on our cherished Inuit values and beliefs that made clear to all that there was an "Inuit Way" that would see us through the difculties and keep us going until easier times came again. These values served to be a calming inuence that kept us all together, connected and moving forward. It is the only way we could have survived. We progressed. We kept moving ahead, adapting, getting through hard times with patience and forward thinking. We were successful in an environment that would have been too challenging for anyone else. People were told there would be hard times, that they would go through difculties so they would not think life would be easy. This understanding, aided by the Inuit coping strategies, meant that they had a rm foundation to fall back on when situations were not easy. They had the mind-set to cope, to get through it and to hold on to life. They were encouraged to take the long view, to know that in one way or other, the situation would resolve itself or that other people could be counted on to help. They listened to elders speaking of hard times, how people managed to develop ways of working together, being creative and resourceful and overcoming adversity and hardship. They grew up knowing they were part of this rich history as a capable, caring and connected people.

Survival at all levels and in all situations that is what was taught. We survived, we kept our eye on the future and did what we could to help others get there too. We have this rich history, these valuable traditions, these successful stories and important memories, but today there is a deep uneasiness among our people and a sense that these ways should continue to be passed on at all levels yet for many reasons they are not. If we take a look at Nunavut today, there are many indicators that the social fabric in our communities is crumbling that the problems people are facing as individuals, families and groups are becoming too large and are beginning to overwhelm them. Many people now feel these values and beliefs that kept us in harmony with one another are not being communicated regularly, clearly and loud enough to be heard by youth. There is a great fear out there that the traditional leadership, that of the elders, is hesitant to step in and straighten everybody out by stating the rules that must be followed if people are going to live in peace with each other. Young people complain that they are not really being taught the values and beliefs. Many report they do not know the Inuit way. Many are frightened that these new, challenging times need to be addressed by the elders who have previously faced difcult times. Youth are hungry for help. They do not always say so. They do, however, speak of feeling alone, disconnected and afraid. Under these conditions in the past, respected people, key inuencers in the camps, would have known what to do and gone and done it. People would have been approached, guided, helped, listened to and provided with survival strategies to deal with their difculties. They would have been closely monitored by the group. They would have been intervened upon, challenged, strengthened, encouraged, comforted and motivated. Older people knew back then that it was their job to provide help when help was needed. It is therefore quite noticeable now that something has changed. Rather than actively encouraging living, we seem to be surrounded by death and our people are quitting life. Something is going on in Nunavut. Inuit are choosing to give up, to escape their problems and die.

Our young people are deciding, without us, not to cope, not to work through their problems, not to reach out for help and, worst of all, not to live.

Fear is gaining a grip. Some are simply beginning to accept this strange behaviour pattern rather than organizing to do something about it. Young Inuit are beginning to dene themselves by this kind of thinking. As the numbers grow and the death toll mounts, some who dont know any better are starting to think this is normal, when there is nothing normal about it. You know that and I know that. However, young people do not know that giving in to their problems is not the Inuit way. Why dont they know? The answer is simple: because we are not working hard enough to reach them, to teach them, to comfort them and to provide them with the values and beliefs that are based on living and surviving hard times. They are beginning to inuence each other in these new, deadly behaviours because we have not gone out there to stop them, to show them the Inuit way of coping. Many people blame changing times and being exposed to many different mixed messages from other cultures, but I believe the problem is much simpler. If we do not pass on the knowledge of how to survive, if we do not ght back against death, if we do not become forceful in our teachings, and if we sit back and expect someone else the nurse, the social worker, the counsellor to do it for us, we give up our responsibility and our place as older people.

We blamed the governments. We blamed TV. We blamed rock music. We blamed whoever we could nd. We did not always stop and think what it was we werent doing ourselves that may be the problem. We sometimes thought money could x it, that programs and projects could x it, that somehow they could make death stop. We always looked outward for solutions rather than looking inward to our own knowledge base, to our own teachings, our own terminology and to our own understanding. We have made mistakes of thinking schools should teach it or cultural projects should be doing it or someone else, somewhere else should be addressing this. We forgot how people learn best from those they know, from those they trust, from those who have been through the things they speak about. In that regard, older Inuit are the best and the most natural teachers to guide our young people away from choosing death over life. The tears we shed over every suicide will not make things right. Our pain will not make death stop. Living in fear will not make the problem go away. Staying silent about the problem will not make it stop happening. Being afraid to do our job will not help.

Younger Inuit need to see around them people who are calm, involved with them and able to reassure them that they will get through the hard times. We cannot continue to fail them by being unsure, confused or hesitant to do this.

We must start to share with them the unique words and phrases that were used in our language that were effective, which counselled others. We must use, once again, the Inuktitut ways and actively tell the stories of facing all difculties and overcoming them.

We must not be shy or afraid to challenge them to live.

We must promote Inuit pride. We must win them back and demonstrate in our words, in our stories, in our art, our songs and our daily discussion with them how we are capable, caring people they should be proud to be a part of. We must learn that talking only among ourselves keeps us far way from them. We must develop a new way of seeking them out on an ongoing basis, nding ways to approach them and hold their attention. I know we are not used to taking a loud stand with other people. We like to wait to be invited or we prefer to be approached. But in times like these, where our young generation is dying, we have to get used to moving quickly and in newer, more active and direct ways to get the message out that it is not the Inuit way.

TOP October 4, 2002 Literacy development begins at home All parents can help their children succeed KIM CROCKATT Why then do we still have such low literacy levels?

Literacy is a complicated issue. Nunavut has a full Kindergarten to Grade 12 school system, dedicated teachers, a good college system with Adult Basic Upgrading and other literacy programs.

It is easy to blame these problems on our formal education system or by blaming people themselves for their own disadvantages. However, this blame would be sorely misguided. Language- and literacy-rich environments at home are the most signicant factors in helping to promote childrens reading competence. Homes with a variety of reading material available and children with parents who read to them and who read themselves are major factors in improving literacy levels.

Research also shows that reading patterns are well-established by the age of nine. Given this, it is clear that the earlier the intervention, the better.

Literacy skill development begins during infancy. As our parents talk to us, read to us and sing to us, we develop the language and literacy skills that we will need in order to become strong readers and analytical thinkers. When we grow up in homes with literate parents, surrounded by books, healthy food, stable relationships and opportunities to travel and explore, we are able to develop the basic literacy skills we need in order to succeed in school.

Canadians who have grown up with literate parents who have encouraged them and taught them to read may have difculty understanding why other parents arent able to help their children. Poverty plays a signicant role in literacy development. Children who grow up in families where inadequate food and shelter is an on-going issue will undoubtedly have difculty learning. Books, magazines and other reading materials are expensive in the North and not all communities have access to public libraries.

Literacy is not just a Nunavut problem; it is a wide-spread, national problem. On a national level, 22 per cent of Canadians have serious literacy challenges. Another 26 per cent do not have the skills they need in order to participate in the new, knowledge economy. There are things that parents, and we as citizens of Nunavut, can do to help improve literacy levels. However, people must understand literacy and see it as the education, health and wellness issue that it is. Parents need to know that whether they can read or not, whether they can speak English or Inuktitut they can help their children succeed. Nunavut Literacy Week is a part of this on-going promotion and education. Social change takes time, but if we continue to promote and educate, we will make change at the individual, family and community level. Nunavut Literacy Week is about celebrating reading, celebrating the rich oral traditions of Nunavummiut, and most of all, about promoting a love of reading, learning and understanding in all of our languages and cultures. If each of us can use this week to celebrate literacy by reading to a child, donating books to a womans shelter and volunteering to help in our childs classroom rather than trying to afx blame, then we will have accomplished what we set out to do.

Kim Crockatt is executive director of the Nunavut Literacy Council. TOP August 30, 2002

Journey to the top of the world

On Aug. 15, 17 high school students embarked on a 16-day journey to the High Arctic as part of Students on Ice. Below is an excerpt of the detailed logs and journals students and instructors have been keeping of this adventure of a lifetime Day 1: Ottawa For a few, the adventure began early. Brian from Rankin Inlet and Shauna and Derek from Cambridge Bay were supposed to meet the group in Iqaluit. Unfortunately, bad weather in Iqaluit prevented the plane from landing, forcing it to continue to its next destination - Ottawa. Lucky for them this meant that they could participate in the tours, barbecue and "ice-breaking" activities with the rest of the squad. A true reversal of fortune! There was even a surprise appearance by Keith Peterson, the mayor of Cambridge Bay.

Day 2: Ottawa and Resolute Bay The troops were roused at 6 a.m. sharp to get ready for the trip to the airport to catch their First Air charter ight to the High Arctic community of Resolute Bay where they would meet their ship, the Kapitan Khlebnikov. During a refuelling stop in Iqaluit, the group was joined by scientist Alain Fontaine and student expeditioner Pauloosie Audlakiak.

True to its reputation, the High Arctic greeted the expeditioners with an icy embrace. A signicant difference from the balmy morning they had left behind in Ottawa a few hours before. I never knew ice could be so breathtaking. Reining on the water, it has a regal grandeur that I tried to capture in several clumsily taken photographs. The lack of vegetation here - the tree line is long gone - reminded me nostalgically of my dearly beloved petunia and spider plant. Please water them, Dad! - Liz Fink We've landed in Iqaluit for refuelling and to pick up the remaining passengers. Everyone is leaning over each other to look out the windows. It's like an entirely different world here - there are no trees! However, it is very wet and foggy. From what I could see through the fog, there are a lot of small lakes scattering the countryside. I can't believe how different it is! Barren rock is everywhere! There's not much soil to speak of. We still have a lot farther north to y, as we're landing in the northernmost Canadian airport! I can't imagine how different the environment will be there! - Becky Dayboll

Day 3: Lancaster Sound and Dundas Harbor Following an all-night sail across the southern shore of Devon Island, the ship anchored at Dundas Harbour. After breakfast and a brieng by the expedition team, everyone donned their gear and prepared for their rst Arctic landing. Small groups were ferried to shore on the trusty Zodiacs, disembarking in the austere beauty of Dundas Harbour.

Walruses, an Arctic fox and an abandoned RCMP outpost built in 1924 were some of the highlights of this landing. Botanist Lynn Gillespie instructed students on many aspects on plant life during their exhilarating hike over the treeless hills and plains.

Day 4: Cape York, North Greenland During the night, the Kapitan Khlebnikov emerged from the protected waters of Lancaster Sound into the open sea of Bafn Bay. For many, the icebreaker's pitching and rolling in the open water was a new experience and was the rst real test of their "sea legs." The turbulent night, which tossed a few from their beds and sent others on midnight wanders to relieve their lightheadedness, ended with the well-earned reward of the stunning Greenland coast. The Khlebnikov sailed into Melville Bay, where Greenland's extensive glacial cap spills into the ocean, creating a literal factory of icebergs. Day 5: Thule (Qaanaaq) After a restful night's sleep and a relatively late start (7:30 a.m.), passengers were greeted by a clear, calm and sunny Arctic morning. Breathtaking glacial landscapes of ice ngers pushing through valleys and the uninterrupted splendor of Greenland's mountain-punctuated ice cap could be seen in every direction. Icebergs continued to drift by as the ship anchored near the town of Qaanaaq, Greenland's most northern village, nestled amid monuments of ice and rock.

Zodiacs ferried the groups to shore, where they were welcomed by nearly the entire town. The town's mayor and also principal of the school led the group on a tour of the school and answered questions about life in the northern community. Prompted by the students from the school, students signed their hosts' hands and had their own hands signed in turn. The tour ended with some playful romping with a litter of baby huskies. The most interesting experience that I have ever had was when all the children in the town came to us with pens and started printing their names on our hands and in return we were supposed to put ours on their hands. This was really cool. - Andrew Dargie Day 6: Coburg Island and Grise Fiord To everyone's relief, Bafn Bay remained calm for the voyage back into Canada from Greenland. However, the night's rest ended with a 5:45 a.m. wake-up to prepare for an early landing at Coburg Island National Wildlife Area. Located at the mouth of Jones Sound, this island is inhabited by nearly half a million birds comprised mostly of ThickBilled Murres and Black-Legged Kittiwakes, but is also home to 25 other species.

The morning fog quickly cleared as the trusty Zodiacs cruised along the breeding cliff offering a spectacular view of the Murres and Kittiwakes. Resident ornithologist Alain Fontaine, who has closely studied a variety of birds in environments all across Canada, was in awe and self-admittedly having "the day of his life." As many participants agreed, it is no small wonder to witness a colony of nearly half a million birds breeding, feeding, ying and interacting on an entirely uninhabited island.

Not long after lunch, the Khlebnikov positioned itself by Grise Fiord and groups were ferried to land, where they were warmly greeted on the beach by the town's mayor. Once everyone was gathered on shore, the mayor led them on a visit of the school and a tour of the community. Many marvelled at the mountains that completely surrounded the village. Polar bear and sealskins stretched out to dry, freshly hunted walrus corpses and even a walrus head evinced recent hunting activity.

Day 7: Hells Gate and Norweigian Bay A night of calm sailing through Jones Sound brought the ship to the narrow passage of Hells Gate, whose currents are so strong that they prevent the water from freezing, even at the height of winter. As the early Arctic sun rose, the passage gave way to the heavily iced waters of Norwegian Bay, where the Kapitan Khlebnikov was nally granted the opportunity to showcase its icebreaking prowess. The ship effortlessly tore a trail through the rst-year sea ice that whitened the landscape in every direction. After breakfast, students were assigned to polar bear watch. This, along with lectures, seminars, meals, journal writing and the polar panorama, would keep them occupied as the ship crunched its way from Norwegian Bay into Eureka Sound and onward to their most northern destination on Ellesmere Island.

It wasn't long before the rst polar bear was spotted in the distance! Excited passengers gathered to watch and photograph the bear as the ship followed it along the ice until it arrived at a beach and disappeared over the horizon. Polar bears! The king of the Arctic was sighted twice today. The rst time the announcement came on the PA system and I made a mad dash from my cabin, inging a coat over my arm and camera around my neck, out onto the deck outside. Squinting for a while, it took a while to spot the oatmeal-coloured ice that, upon closer inspection, was clearly moving. The wake in the water was what allowed it to be spotted. The second time was at lunch in an almost bedroom farce (without the bedroom) of a setup where we kept dashing out in between courses as the ship got progressively closer to the bear, this one lumbering on the ice instead of swimming. Of course, I took pictures all the while.

So when I proudly point to a picture of ice and focus on a faintly yellowish spec the size of a grain of rice, yes, you can believe me that it is, indeed, the mighty polar bear. I have bear-watching duty tonight. - Liz Fink Day 8: Tanquary Fjord and Lake Hazen No longer inhibited by ice, the Kapitan Khlebnikov sailed through Greely Fjord and entered the waters of Tanquary Fjord and the northernmost destination of the expedition. By noon students were well above the 80-degree mark and inside the boundaries of Ellesmere Island National Park. Day 9: Eureka Sound and Axel Heiberg Island

Anchored in the calm waters of Tanquary Fjord, the group passed a most restful sleep, thoughtfully dreaming about their adventure in a world so far away.

It was so interesting. I didn't really know what to expect. It was really interesting how people lived. It was quite shocking for me. I'm from New York, and it was like - wow there is so much isolation. But the people really live in harmony with all this great stuff around them. The Grise Fiord School was amazing! It was really nice, they live in such peace. For me it was so much different. They kill a seal, and they eat everything, this is how they live with nature. - Liz Fink

For a complete list of diary entries, and the continuation of the trip, which ends on Aug. 29, visit the Students on Ice Web site, www.studentsonice.com. August 23, 2002 The Kuujjuaq Declaration Aqqaluk Lynga, outgoing president of the ICC, proudly presents the signed declaration. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KRG) ICC delegates from Canada, Russia, Alaska and Greenland agree to set their sites on human rights and work for the betterment of all Inuit Recalling the early vision of Eben Hopson Sr. and other Inuit to found, maintain, and foster a strong organization dedicated to Inuit unity and collective international Inuit action; Further recalling that the Principles and Elements for a Comprehensive Arctic Policy published in 1991 by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) is a wide-ranging guide for Inuit, governments and others to follow; Having studied the ICC Presidents report on activities for the period 1998-2002, and the reports from the Chairs of the Inuit Language Commission, the Inuit Communications Commission, and the ICC Task force on Arctic Trade; Having heard the deliberations of delegations and input from observers and guests at this 9th General Assembly on several important matters, including those of the United Nations (UN), self-government, human rights, cultural and intellectual property rights, environment, sustainable development, language, communications, economy and trade, youth and elders; Recognizing with gratitude the enormous efforts of the ICC executive council and staff over the past four years in their input to historic achievements such as the establishment of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the international agreement to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (The Stockholm Convention);

Greatly affected by the forced relocations suffered by Inuit in many parts of the Inuit homeland, the dislocation from their traditional areas, the lack of apologies and adequate compensation by governments;

Acknowledging that new known and unknown challenges are facing Inuit over the next four years and well into the new millennium; Deeply encouraged that the newly elected and committed ICC Executive Council and Chair are ready to meet the challenges of the next four years in representing Inuit on various matters of international importance;

HEREBY: 1. Welcome and adopt the ICC Presidents report on activities for 1998-2002;

2. Strongly welcome the recommendations contained in the report from the Chair of the Inuit Language Commission and, if adequate funding can be raised, direct the Commission under the guidance of the executive council, to seriously consider these recommendations; 3. Receive with appreciation and understanding the report from the Chair of the ICC Task force on Arctic Trade and her strong message of the importance of all Inuit assisting each other on matters of both trade opportunities and barriers; 4. Instruct the new executive council to seriously consider and monitor the recommendations outlined in the report from the Chair of the Inuit Communications Commission, including those related to facilitating the establishment of a pan-Arctic news agency and Arctic television network; 5. Reafrm the commitment to maintaining a strong ICC presence in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, and to further strengthening the ICC regional ofce in Chukotka through nancial and other forms of assistance; 6. Urge the ICC Executive Council to consider the guidelines set forth in the document. "Maximizing Efciency and Delegating Responsibility within ICC" in order to maximize efciency and avoid duplication in implementing mandates of importance to all Inuit on an international basis; 7. Strongly promote the need to keep the Arctic environment safe from trans-boundary pollutants and heavy metals, rapid climate change and, generally, unsustainable development; and therefore: * Call upon government to enact domestic legislation and promote and implement multilateral agreements to reduce and/or eliminate harmful environmental damage and resulting human health problems in the Arctic;

* Mandate regional ICC ofces to lobby their respective governments to immediately ratify the 1998 POPs Protocol to the UN/ECE Convention on long-range Transboundary Atmospheric Pollution, 2001 Stockholm Convention on POPs, and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol pursuant to the 1992 Framework Convention on Climate Change;

* Instruct ICC to work in partnership with Arctic and other governments and appropriate NGOs to develop global initiatives to combat climate change in general, and an Arctic Climate change program in particular; *Direct ICC to protect the interests of Inuit initiatives in international forums such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development. 8. Reafrm the importance of the Arctic Council as an institutional vehicle to protect the environment and promote culturally and environmentally appropriate sustainable development in the Arctic; 9. Direct ICC to use its status as a "permanent participant" to the Arctic Council to further the environmental and sustainable development interests of Inuit and, when appropriate, work cooperatively with other permanent participants to the Council and actively seek funding for Arctic Council activities, including involvement in ministerial summits, meetings of Senior Arctic Ofcials and Council programs and working groups; 10. Strongly support the ICC executive council in the new and major undertaking of working within the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and commit to providing direct assistance to ICC when called upon; 11. Support the UN Advisory Committee composed of executive council members and others to provide ongoing advice to ICC on all UN matters of importance to Inuit and other indigenous peoples; 12. Urge the new ICC Executive Council to continue to promote, with other indigenous peoples, the adoption of the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the language acceptable to them; 13. Again call upon national, provincial, and state governments to recognize the inherent rights of Inuit with respect to sustainable hunting, co-management, and other subsistence activities, and direct ICC to assist Inuit through advocacy, education, litigation and empowerment on these matters; 14. Promote the removal of international and national trade barriers that affect all forms of Inuit livelihood, in consultation with affected Inuit, at the same time ensuring that the rights of Inuit to their intellectual and cultural property, traditional knowledge, and access to capital, employment, contracts, nancing, royalties, local revenue, and other nancial benets of development are enhanced in the process;

15. Greatly encourage ICC to undertake a comprehensive study on how best to address global forces, such as the "animal rights" and other destructive movements that aim to destroy Inuit sustainable use of living resources, and to report back to the next General Assembly on its ndings;

16. Instruct ICC, when requested, to assist the various local, regional, and national Inuit organizations in pursuing the matters of forced relocations and dislocations as matters of human rights violations; 17. Establish an "ICC Decade on the Promotion of Self-Determination" that will include a program of exchanging experiences and mutual encouragement among regions, and instruct the Executive Council to develop a framework for such a Decade; 18. Direct ICC to represent Inuit by promoting their rights and protecting their interests in the World Intellectual Property Organization, European Union, Organization of American States, North American Free Trade Agreement, the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, the International Whaling Commission, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Conservation Union and the World Trade Organization and other relevant organizations;

19. Encourage the ICC executive council to prudently expand its international development activities with the aim of assisting Inuit and other indigenous peoples globally; 20. Reiterate the need for ICC to act as a facilitator for Inuit trade and economic development in a supportive role to Inuit-owned companies and individuals undertaking business development; 21. Mandate the ICC Executive Council to intensify its support to Yupik and other indigenous peoples in Chukotka by building upon the 2001 memorandum of understanding signed by the governor of Chukotka, the ICC president, and the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka; 22. Receive with appreciation the important recommendations from Inuit youth at this General Assembly and direct each ICC ofce to offer support and advice to Inuit youth as they reorganize their international efforts, and to expand existing scholarships for youth; 23. Welcome with gratitude the guidance received from Inuit elders at this General Assembly and urge the ICC executive council to intensify its efforts in seeking funding for elders meetings and activities until 2006; 24. Request the Executive Council to begin updating ICCs Principles and Elements for a Comprehensive Arctic Policy, the rst activity of what should be a comprehensive Inuit-wide consultation process to accurately determine the nature and scope of required changes;

25. Remind the Executive Council that ICC is fundamentally an international organization dedicated to the promotion of human rights and, as such, request the Council members to integrate the human rights dimension into each mandate, program and activity of ICC.

TOP August 2, 2002 A response to the City of Iqaluits falsehoods

KENN HARPER Special to Nunatsiaq News

The falsehoods stated by Iqaluits mayor, John Matthews, in a letter published in the July 19 edition of Nunatsiaq News, cannot go unanswered. On June 25, the council of Iqaluit voted 5-1 to turn down the Nunavut Suites development project for purely subjective reasons that bore no relation to the zoning bylaw. Matthews has been scrambling since then to try to put a good face on this stupid decision, unsuccessfully. The city of Iqaluit has a demonstrable housing shortage. The Government of Nunavut is unable to ll badly needed staff positions because it cannot nd sufcient housing for its employees. No one else is able to nd adequate housing either. GN jobs go unlled. Inuit houses are bursting at the seams because relatives arrive from other communities looking for work. Keith Irving and Stu Kennedy, who voted against the proposal, live in attractive, uncrowded houses. They are comfortably housed; their constituents are not.

Nunavut Suites would have provided the following benets to the community of Iqaluit: an attractive building; 48 apartment units; 16,000 square feet of ofce space;
approximately $85,000 of annual tax revenue (the buildings currently on the sites provide only a small fraction of that amount);

employment to many workers during the approximately nine months that construction would have taken;

 the increased support of local businesses that the housing of 48 additional residents/ families would have provided, and;

the increased territorial tax revenue that the provision of jobs to additional residents would have provided. Matthews is dead wrong when he says that Ninety North Constructions proposal did not meet all the conditions of the bylaw. He talks about the companys application for a height variance. In fact, the companys plans met the height requirements of the bylaw 12 metres. We made it clear to the city that we could build the building to the satisfaction of all codes, within the bylaws requirement of 12 metres. But the company also asked, in a separate application, for a variance to increase the height of the building by one metre, to 13 metres. We said we would appreciate the chance of a little exibility in making the units that much more appealing, by raising ceiling heights, if we were granted a variance.

We considered this a reasonable request: because the neighbouring Igluvut Building was granted a variance of 2.4 metres;
because recent consultants reports have recommended higher density in the downtown core.

because the draft zoning bylaw that has been discussed for some years although never passed because of Iqaluit Councils inability to be decisive recommended a height of 15 metres in the commercial core of the city, and;

Protocol requires that the variance be voted on after the main motion, and that motion was defeated, so the variance died. The city was not advised that the company had no intention of building the project without a height variance. Matthews is grasping at straws. Matthews says the building detracted from the character of the neighbourhood, and in particular the area of the legislature. He says that "when asked, Urbco was unable to demonstrate to council how their building would complement or enhance our unfolding capital city core." That is a falsehood. Ninety North (not Urbco) provided ample information to the city on how this development would have contributed to, not detracted from, the city centre. The information provided was convincing and valid, as evidenced by the fact that the citys professional staff, in the person of the development ofcer, wrote a ve-page report to council recommending approval of the project.

In that report, she provided a lengthy list of conditions that the citys professional staff was recommending, all of which Ninety North had agreed to, so she was able to say with certainty that the developer was willing to abide by certain desires of the city, even though the desires were not spelled out in the bylaw. As for detracting from the legislature, it is perhaps signicant to note that the government of Nunavut did not oppose the project and had inquired more than once about how many apartment units would be provided in the building. Legislators with whom I have spoken since the project was turned down are extremely disappointed with the short-sightedness of city council. Further, the GN appropriated money in its current budget to study a site for a new legislature, meaning that the present legislature will likely be just another ofce building some day. Matthews is also incorrect in stating that city council voiced concerns over the lack of requisite parking spaces to meet bylaw requirements. Such a concern was never expressed to us or in any public meeting. The development ofcers report stated that the parking proposed met the bylaw requirements. Matthews also refers to the absence of a drainage plan for the project. The drainage plan was shown clearly on the plans provided to council. The only councilor to express this concern is the only councilor who is a professional engineer, and therefore presumably able to read a set of plans; he has demonstrated either his ignorance or his unwillingness to give our plans fair consideration. Matthews then presumes to speak on behalf of our company when he says that "the Nunavut Suites project was likely intended for government and commercial housing." Matthews knows nothing of the internal workings of our company and therefore has no knowledge of whom the housing was intended for. In fact, the building was to be built on spec, knowing that there is a desperate demand for housing from a number of sources. Matthews is correct on only one point: that the city needs to budget and plan for land development. This is, however, tantamount to an admission of dismal failure on his part as mayor, because council has not done the requisite planning. And Iqaluit continues to burst at the seams as a result. The initiative to turn down Nunavut Suites was led by two councillors: Keith Irving, an architect, who along with others at council meetings said one of his principal objections was that the building was ugly; and Stu Kennedy, a developer. The record shows that Kirt Eegeesiak, Linda Gunn and Simon Nattaq also voted against the project, Glenn Williams voted in favour, and Chris Wilson was absent.

Perhaps citizens have noted that, in the midst of a housing crisis, there are few, if any, multi-unit residential starts this summer. When taxes rise or water rates or garbage rates or user fees as yet undreamed of voters should remember that Nunavut Suites would have provided much needed tax revenue to the city.

The fact that we met every condition of the bylaw should have meant approval. When one follows the law, one expects a favourable outcome. A correction to Matthews assumptions about our corporate structure. Ninety North was developing Nunavut Suites, but Ninety North is not a subsidiary of Urbco. As a result of a recent reorganization, what was once Urbco Inc. is now Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust (trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NPR.UN) and NewNorth Projects Ltd. (trading on the Toronto Venture Exchange under the symbol NNP). Ninety North is a subsidiary of NewNorth Projects. Both companies have dozens of shareholders in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. I stand by my earlier statements that, for all practical purposes, Iqaluit is closed for business. Matthews and his colleagues have proven themselves unworthy of the public trust that was given them by the voters of Iqaluit.

They should resign.

Kenn Harper is a shareholder of Northern Property Real Estate Investment Trust and NewNorth Projects Ltd., and was a proponent of the Nunavut Suites development.

TOP July 26, 2002 Nanisivik was where I came of age A eulogy for a unique community
Richard Matthews Special to Nunatsiaq News

It is with fond memories and sadness that I read in your paper about the nal days of Nanisivik. What to do with it? So much of its infrastructure and buildings are still useful, not to mention unique: the multicolored duplexes with oddly curved roofs and bubble windows, set against the stark and rugged Arctic hillside; the all-inclusive government services

building; and the little church, complete with meeting hall, bathroom, ministers study and even a bedroom.

And all that equipment too expensive to ship out left only to be buried underground? I imagine that these preserved metal relics of pre-millennium technology will be studied by future students of the 20th century, on an archaeological dig. Alas, I believe the true legacy of Nanisivik rests not with its physical remains, nor even with is rather signicant environmental "footprint." The story of Nanisivik, as with any community, lies within its people. Nanisivik is unlike any other mining community in Canada because of its extreme location on northern Bafn Island. Even the recently closed Polaris mine on Little Cornwallis Island never dared to be what Nanisivik is a real town, with detached buildings, roads, a ball diamond, a school and children. And Nanisivik is unlike any other community on Bafn Island, not close to any decent hunting grounds and at least two kilometers, by steep road, from the sea which is, for every other Bafn community, the traditional Arctic highway.

I rst came to Nanisivik in 1981 and quickly learned that this community was unique in other ways as well. A city kid from Victoria, B.C., and just out of high school, I landed a job as a janitor the way that most people land their rst job my father knew somebody who knew somebody. Ill be honest, I went to Nanisivik for the cash $511 a week to start great coin for a 17-year-old in the early 1980s who hoped to save money for travel and university. I left Nanisivik for the last time four years later and, indeed, I was able to pay for my education without ever drawing on a student loan, and had a new car to boot. But the real wealth I gained in Nanisivik cannot be measured in dollars. Nanisivik collected Canadians from all corners of the country. Plumbers and teachers from the Maritimes, heavy equipment operators from Ontario, electricians from Alberta, mill operators from Yellowknife, carpenters from Arctic Bay, and miners from all points in between. English, French and Inuktitut were all spoken in "the dome," Nanisiviks landmark cafeteria and the heart of the community. There I learned that the best antidote for depression was the quick wit of a Newfoundlander who knew about much harder times than this. I learned that sharing a coffee and a smoke with my Qubecois neighbours always ended with a delightful salut and did more to bridge the nationalist divide than any unity campaign ever could.

I learned about the practical ingenuity of the Inuit way, through the patience and creativity of a mechanic who kept my motorcycle running, despite the fact that the nearest Kawasaki parts were thousands of miles and a very expensive air-freighted package away, in Montreal.

Like all communities, Nanisivik had a dark side and I dont just mean long winter nights. Mining is a dangerous occupation, and a few lives were tragically lost in the pursuit of zinc ore. Loneliness, isolation, and alcohol took their toll on many relationships but there were positive outlets for stress as well. The Nanisivik Broomball League was played with a passion not seen outside the Stanley Cup nals. Nanisivik was lled with colourful characters, like the loud and zany Italian cook who refused to take a day off for more than two years and colourful events, like the Midnight Sun Marathon which brought runners, either really tough or really crazy from all over North America just to run the 32-kilometer road from Arctic Bay. Of course there was a big party afterward.

I have mentioned the church building it was the only one in town. There, Baptists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, and Catholics worshipped together, and I learned that putting aside differences and traditions for a common purpose was worthwhile. I fell in love for the rst time in Nanisivik, as did many a young qallunaat. Teenaged boys from the south met teenaged girls from the north but of course hormones know no geographical boundaries. We would steal away from the prying eyes of the mine management, who disapproved of our courting, and into the Rec Center, which was our sanctuary. Even though my girlfriends parents did not speak English, I was welcomed into her family and home with an openness and lack of inhibition that deed my rather conservative British upbringing, and a window into a completely new world was opened to me. My girlfriend and her friends had to grow up Inuk in a town that was run by whites, a microcosm of the reality the north had become for all Inuit youth in that era. Between two languages, between two identities, there lay a painful emotional struggle unimagined by her ancestors, and misunderstood by me and most southerners, who only had to cope with growing into expectations laid out quite plainly by our society. Yet, in the crucible of this rapid change, there was also excitement and optimism, and I was inspired to be involved with Inuit youth, returning north in the late 1980s to teach in Pond Inlet for six years. It seems the fate of any mining town is to one day become a ghost town. But even if they do bury the material evidence of its existence, I sincerely hope that Nanisivik will be remembered for more than its reason for being, because it was so much more than a mine. I bid an affectionate farewell to Nanisivik "the place where people nd things" because I found so much more than money there. I came of age in Nanisivik. Richard Matthews lived at Nanisivik from 1982 to 1983, and again in 1985. He also taught in Pond Inlet from 1987 to 1993.

 TOP May 10, 2002 Were shamans the rst prospectors? If shamans rst discovered Nunavuts oil and gas deposits, do Inuit now own them? Nunatsiaq News

Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was falling asleep. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, Id like to direct this question to the minister responsible for Sustainable Development about these reports that he tabled with all these nice photographs. There are application forms in this document that you have to request. In respect to these reports, Im very happy that there is about $5 thousand that individuals can request from the department for their proposals. Perhaps if I could ask this question rst, I recall a time when there are a lot of people who were prospecting in and around the communities, way back from my youth all the way to today. Perhaps there are all sorts of secret deposits that have been found that are now just being opened up. There are a lot of prospectors that come out to the communities and there must be a lot of minerals that are out there in Nunavut. It seems like this document is a little bit late for people to do prospecting although it has been around for about three years. The minerals that have been discovered previously that are in Nunavut, do these deposits have specic places where the maps and sites are located and does the government know their whereabouts? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister Akesuk.

Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of the mineral deposits that have been previously discovered are listed in the report. They are located in documentation that is not translated, and it shows which communities are closest to these nds. We have the information in the English version, it is written where these minerals have been discovered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Supplementary. Mr. Iqaqrialu.

Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps, I will make a mistake and if I err, please let me know. Its just that I want more information and further clarication.

Non-renewable resources such as oil and gas, and other mineral deposits, years ago the shamans knew where they were located although they didnt know what uses they had. It is also designated in this book, whereabouts these nds are. We discovered those years ago and I think the prospectors and the people that look for oil and gas have stolen our birthright. Have you looked into this issue and how it relates to these mineral claims? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister Akesuk.

Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The shamans, if they were able to write down where they discovered those things it would have been a lot easier because we would know where they were located. In this day and age, we have to look for them ourselves or the prospectors and the people who explore for oil and gas. As many shamans have died off, we wont be able to get any direction from them. Im sorry Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Speaker: Oral Questions. Supplementary. Mr. Iqaqrialu.

Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am starting to get hot under the collar, but Ill try to make it clear; it is not really related to the question that I posed, but this is background material. Inuit had reached the moon quite some time ago during the shamanistic ages, prior to the Americans reaching it with their machines and nding out it wasnt what they thought it was. Those are the types of things that Im talking about, non-physical discoveries.

Looking at the pictures and the maps in this document, its got symbols of men and other things within the applications. Do those little symbols identify where theres been a discovery, or are they just symbolic? They dont state what kinds of minerals that have been discovered, due to all the competition, I know that, but I would like to know how this will be dealt with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister Akesuk.

Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have to look at the pictures in order to clear up any misunderstandings. The symbols and the approximate locations where the minerals have been discovered are written within the document. You can see by looking at it approximately where those mineral nds are within Nunavut. It just shows the types of rocks that are in the area. It doesnt state whose land it is and whose mineral rights those are at this time. We just provided symbols of where the discovery has been made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Oral Questions. Supplementary. Final supplementary. Mr. Iqaqrialu.

Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is about mining activities in Nunavut. If somebody thinks that theyve found something in a place where

there has already been a discovery, does that mean that it doesnt belong to them. The prospectors used to walk for days and all they had was a little hammer and magnifying glass to help them look.

Like today, how they prospect is with geophysical and geochemical exploration, either via plane or helicopters and they have new equipment to search for minerals. The towed arrays and their radiation we dont know about as Inuit people and their effect on human or vegetation matter. So, what is going to happen in Nunavut, whereby there have already been discoveries of mineral deposits? Can we as Nunavummiut use these same technological marvels to look for further deposits?

The discoveries in Nunavut of minerals are the birthright of persons born and living in Nunavut as it is one of our only means of economic development, therefore the benets of these minerals should not only accrue to the exploration companies with all their expensive equipment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister Akesuk.

Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I realize that. But the government of Nunavut and the government of Canada have an agreement to see that mineral exploration undertaken in Nunavut has to follow the regulations and the rules governing exploration in Nunavut. Yes, we realize that there is a lot of exploration and that this has been ongoing for three years, and the future looks bright. I realize that there are a lot of people in Nunavut that have just begun to do exploration and prospecting. So, I think they should be protected and we would like to help the people of Nunavut follow the rules and the act, in regards to mineral exploration, so these types of things will not be taken away from the people who have already staked a claim or know the location of a mineral outcrop that they have discovered. So even when the legislative session is not going on, these types of concerns felt by the prospectors are all things related to my department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Source: The Nunavut Hansard for May 6, 2002 TOP May 3, 2002 "Why do we want to rush this new Education Act?" MLA nds aws in education bill

Iqaluit Centre MLA Hunter Tootoo greeted the Nunavut governments recent education bill with the following critical comments last week.

As of our press-time this week, Education Minister Peter Kilabuk had not offered a defence of the bill in public, and no other MLAs had taken a clear public position on it.

Im very pleased to rise today to speak to the principle of Bill 1 the proposed Education Act. As my colleagues and constituents will know, education is one of my top two priorities. I believe that investing in education is investing in our future. We cannot afford not to invest in a better education system. I grew up within northern and southern education systems, both public and private. Now I am a father and I am concerned that my children have the best education available to them. Mr. Speaker, we would be kidding ourselves if we thought that our current education system was adequate. When the levels of student achievement and success are compared across Canada, our Nunavut students are at the bottom of the list. If we continue to accept a substandard system, our youth will continue to have substandard opportunities. Our heavy reliance on workers from the South will not lessen until we have adequately educated Nunavummiut who can ll those same positions. Mr. Speaker, it gravely concerns me that one of the objects of this bill is to severely weaken the role of the District Education Authorities. We have worked very hard over the past few years to strengthen the roles and responsibilities of community-level bodies. We have recognized that one of the keys to self-reliance at the local level is to devolve responsibilities to the local level not strip them away. Bill 1 even seeks to take away a number of rights and choices that parents and students currently have. Not only does Bill 1 take us further away from self-reliance but it proposes to do so in a less open and transparent manner than ever before. As an example of the direction in which Bill 1 is leading us the new act states that the Statutory Instruments Act would not apply to the directions of the minister. One of the main purposes of that act is to ensure that the public has access to information on changes to regulations, appointments and certain directives, by requiring the government to publish those instruments in the Nunavut Gazette. If the minister and his department are no longer bound by that law, how can we be assured of an open and transparent governing of our education system? Currently, the members of every communitys DEA are democratically elected by the community they serve. In most cases, representation on the DEA is reective of the community population. This bill seeks to change that process.

What are the principles on which this bill is based? One central principle behind this bill, it seems to me, is to remove control and authority from community-based elected bodies and put it all in the hands of the minister and departmental bureaucrats.

Some of my constituents have already asked me, "Under this new bill, what is the point of having a District Education Authority at all?" I believe that the roles and responsibilities of District Education Authorities deserve very careful consideration. Under the current act, DEAs have the power to monitor, evaluate, direct and deliver the delivery of school programs. Under Bill 1, it is the minister who directs or approves any such activity. Under the current act, DEAs can enter into agreements for the delivery of programs and services, supervise the employment, discipline and dismissal of staff, administer and manage the educational affairs of the education body. Under Bill 1, these responsibilities are no longer the purview of the DEAs. Instead, the DEAs are left the task of assuring attendance at school an area DEA representatives could not possibly have any control over. I fear that under the new act our DEAs will just end up being scapegoats. They will have no real control or authority over what goes on but when things go wrong they will be left holding the bag. Mr. Speaker, to the merits of the bill. Nunavuts Education Act is one of our most important pieces of legislation. I dont think that any of us can afford to underestimate the importance of a good, sound education system. The success of this piece of legislation affects our future tomorrow because it affects our children today. Education covers a wide spectrum. Pre-school programs should be in place to prepare young children to enter the school system when they reach the appropriate age. Resources must be available for programming in the classroom. Schools must be adequately funded to deliver their programs. Class sizes should not overwhelm our teachers and pupil-teacher ratios should be set to a manageable number. Why do we continue to fund per capita when this government has been arguing against that kind of formula on many other fronts?

Students must have the opportunities to attain the level of education that will allow them to follow their dreams whether they wish to follow a trade program or continue on to post-secondary academic studies. Language issues cannot be overlooked. I am concerned that one of the objects of Bill 1, to address the language needs specic to Nunavut, does not go far enough. Not only must our Education Act provide for rst language education needs for the Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English and French speaking communities, it must also address second language needs.

Bill 1 does not adequately address the needs of second language learners of English, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun and it does not provide at all for the second language learning of French. We may discover that this bill, because of that, could end up being unconstitutional.

Rule 67 of the rules of the Legislative Assembly says we can talk about the expediency of the bill in second reading. Why do we want to rush this new Education Act? Or, to phrase it another way, can we afford to rush this act through to reach a short-term objective and risk getting it wrong in the long-term? By hastily adopting something now we run the risk of throwing out something that works, recognizing that it needs improvement, and replacing it with something that is worse. I feel that it is crucial to take the time to consider this bill very carefully. Mr. Speaker, the Education Act is a statute and it is accompanied by a great number of regulations. For every community there is at least one set of regulations relating to a DEA. So for 26 communities, there are 29 regulations. There are a further 13 regulations dealing with technical aspects of the delivery of educational services. Newly drafted regulations will be required to accompany the new act. Members of the Legislative Assembly and stakeholders such as DEAs should have an opportunity to have input on the review and review any changes to the regulations that may result from Bill 1. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that the consultation process followed by the Department of Education to develop Bill 1 has been somewhat less than transparent. For example, despite the very public announcement of a GN-NTI working group to review the Education Act, the only consultation input they made available has been a list of the working groups recommendations. Why is that? The ability to consider the results of all of the departments consultations would at least help to inform us why and where changes were made to the current act. In sum, Mr. Speaker, I have some very serious concerns with Bill 1. However, I fully support the development of a made-in-Nunavut Education Act. I will vote in support of second reading. I encourage members of the standing committee to be innovative and broad-minded during the review process. I look forward to contributing my views and opinions and I encourage all Nunavummiut to participate in the consultation process in the coming months.

I encourage parents to take the time to look through Bill 1. Discuss it with each other, other parents, educators and DEA representatives. Members of the Legislative Assembly will be asking for your views and opinions and it is important that constituents are ready to present them. TOP

 April 5, 2002 Inuit health needs are starkly different than non-Inuit needs Many Inuit still struggle for access to basic health care
Jose Kusugak, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Special to Nunatsiaq News

OTTAWA The debate in southern Canada regarding the health-care system appears to be a decidedly urban one. Discussing a two-tier system is a distant luxury for us. In the Arctic, we are still working to get to the rst tier of health services in many communities. Thus, the perspective Inuit bring to the interim report on health care by Roy Romanow will necessarily be different. Our initial comment, though, is that it is a fair report that identies issues common to all Canadians. Access to the health-care system is one of the most important issues for Inuit in the Arctic. For example, cancer patients living in Salluit and Montreal both have a lifethreatening disease. The patient in Salluit must travel thousands of kilometers and live away from home, sometimes for months on end, frequently away from family, in order to get treatment. We are aware that even in large urban centers, speedy access is also difcult, and that urban Canadians, in sheer frustration, are going to the United States for quicker service. This is not an option for Inuit. Many issues related to access must be considered, including better diagnostic equipment, developing broadband technology in Arctic communities, and the reality that in small remote communities there is frequently only one nurse, and no doctor. Language is also a barrier to access in the Arctic. Many Inuit are unilingual Inuktitut speakers. When faced with the sole community nurse who speaks only English or French, communicating about a health problem becomes much more difcult. Even if individuals speak English, medical terminology is complex. Romanows report reveals that more money is spent in the health-care system on drugs than on physicians. The situation in the Arctic is that more money is spent on air transportation to get patients to health services in regional hospitals, or to the south. Among the 40 academic papers the commission ordered, there is not one that addresses specic Inuit issues regarding health. The health issues in the Arctic are among the most serious in the country and require distinct assessments.

A report titled Evaluation of Models of Health Care Delivery in Inuit Regions, published by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami in 2000 indicates that the priority health-care issues in all Arctic regions are suicide prevention and mental health. As well, life expectancy among Inuit is a decade less than the average Canadian, infant mortality rates are ve times higher, and deaths from unintentional injuries are more than twice as high. The ITK health department is the main contact between the commission and the Inuit of Canada. We were consulted briey leading up to the production of this interim report. A close examination of the appendices in the report reveals that no Inuit were further consulted, and that the most northern community visited, Whitehorse, does not reect Inuit health concerns. We recommend that the commission take the "means required," as outlined in the order from the Privy Council to properly consult Inuit regarding the delivery of health services in the Arctic. For example, at the planned hearings scheduled in Iqaluit on May 8, 2002, we have discussed with the commission the importance of providing Inuktitut interpretation of the hearings. Similarly, when the commission chooses 40 Canadians at random to participate in workshops, all these events are planned for the biggest urban cities in Canada. A visit to a small Arctic community, such as Salluit, would be an enlightening experience for the commission, and would immediately illustrate the vast differences in the way health services are delivered in the Arctic and in southern Canada. The Inuit of Canada live in over 50 Arctic communities, covering the largest geographic region of Canada. From Labrador in the east to the Northwest Territories in the west, the area covers over two million square kilometres, equivalent to the 10th largest country in the world. We look forward to contributing our perspective at the public consultations in March and April. We are told well get ve to 10 minutes to make a presentation. As full tax-paying citizens of Canada, Inuit want to make a meaningful contribution to the debate on improving health care in Canada. We hope to start by expressing the stark differences in health-care delivery in the Arctic.

Qujannamiimmarialuk. TOP January 11, 2002 Reections and memories

A veteran land-claim negotiator recalls the successes and failures of the Nunavut land claim agreement

 MALACHI ARREAK

I have made a new start this year, and I want to adhere to my late mothers advice to respect and care for relatives, and to never spite anyone in case I do the same thing I spited them for. It has come to pass that I have not respected my mothers wishes and this has hurt my siblings and relatives. I apologize. It came to a point where alcohol was affecting my judgment. I would like to lead a sober life now. Enough of my personal reections, I am writing to fulll the promises I made to my mother regarding a sober life, as well as to pass along the knowledge and experience I have accumulated over the years. I have reected on all of the memories churning around my head and will attempt to convey some of the optimistic dreams Inuit negotiators had, while contemplating the balance between undened rights and a set of land and resource provisions. The government had and still has no intention of including any social provisions in a land claim. The one socially related article ended up outside of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement because of the insistence of the government. It was accepted by the leaders once they received assurances of the creation of Nunavut. Five issues still haunt me today ones I knew would lead to some of the more difcult clashes after the agreement was ratied. But my politicians threw these issues out the door once the creation of the territory of Nunavut was conrmed. The ve issues are: free government access to Inuit-owned land in less than two years, IIBA coverage of the whole territory (the selections of large known deposits hardened the governments heart), the percentage of the interest accruable to the capital, selections of lands within the Queen Elizabeth Islands (government would not accept archaeological evidence that showed occupation during the past 100 years, due to the vast petroleum resources), real property taxation and the Contwoyto Lake boundary change. (we knew there were diamonds there, but didnt know of the deal to excise Lac De Gras so that the Northwest Territories and Canada would develop the rst diamond mine.

All of the archaeological evidence collected showed Copper Eskimo sites, so John Parkers deal was the more surprising. It almost led to the collapse of the agreement. This, again, is a historical perspective of one who was there, ghting like hell for ancestral lands, but being so young that my opinion wasnt always accepted. Oh well. This is about what we dreamed of as we negotiated the lands and the provisions for the Inuit of Nunavut.

Visions

I started in the stages of the land-selection process, although I kept my visitations to the main table negotiations ongoing while in school. I would make some arguments to the negotiators during the caucuses, and it was always a thrill to hear it stated to the feds. I have always enjoyed debates. During the two years it took to compile and record all of the areas of interest to the Inuit, it was the actual work with the elders and the people in the communities that was the most eye-opening for me. I had left for the South during the beginning of my teenage years because the education in the North was not challenging enough and a bursary beckoned at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario. I guess the youth of today have not had the opportunity to know of the varied visions and dreams that their fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles had for Nunavut and the reasons why Inuit selected the lands. I would like to convey just some of the Inuit visions for development, so that this generation may plan their education for the next ve to 10 years. Some of the visions held by the Inuit in the communities were far encompassing, both in their breadth and length. Others were selected only for their job-creation possibilities. A lot of the visions related to the money Inuit would receive, which could then be used for developing the lands. All of the politicians to date have only created their own little efdoms, with the majority of the positions held by non-beneciaries. Tourism, infrastructure development, non-renewable development, cultural centres, private schools and future agricultural possibilities were discussed. These also included areas that Inuit could use as platforms for federal responsibilities, such as SAR (search and rescue), sheries patrols and boundary patrols. As well, the idea was that 20 years down the road, we could have Inuit pilots, SAR technicians, rangers, doctors and lawyers to deal with these responsibilities. We envisioned that we could use the latest technology, such as the V-22 Osprey, hover craft, GPS, satellite phones, ports for ships and shing vessels and Inuit language computers. We also envisioned the development of Inuit-owned land parcels, which would involve the largest number of employees and allow the communities to become more selfsufcient by developing their own economic opportunities. An example is the proposed Isabella Bay national wildlife area. The Inuit selected an area for the creation of a road, a whale watching site, a lodge site and an area for kayaks and boats. Most of the vessels envisioned would be non-polluting.

Certain parcels were selected for non-renewable resources, mainly on speculation, since there were no geological maps of certain areas. This was due to the magnetic anomalies experienced in these sites by the Inuit vessels.

As well, Inuit knew of the basic minerals and, therefore, when a geologist pinpointed the relationships between them and the sought-after minerals, Inuit would state where they had found those types of outcrops and indicator minerals. The majority were chosen for conservation and continued use by the Inuit. Most if not all of these sites had been occupied for generations. The other usages envisioned were cultural centres and private schools cultural centres to teach the youth and practise traditional life for the viewing of others, including areas where visitors could make a small tool. Private schools were envisioned for the best of the Inuit youth, away from the distractions and vices of the communities, where they could learn Inuit Qaujimajatuqangigit. For all of you QQers, this meant learning social history, sociology, ideology, philosophy, biology, behavioural biology, palaeontology (ancient bones), astronomy, meteorology, psychiatry, botany, geology, archaeology, physiology and my favourites: mythology and genealogy. All of these would be on top of Western educational requirements. I am probably forgetting some-ologies. Inuit were never really specialists like the agrarian cultures of the West. Of course, we knew about things like geology, which related to the environment, as well as what types of rocks would induce the greatest growth. The education would not only be theoretical, but also physical. It would include traditional family secret training, such as martial arts, hunting skills, secret techniques, traditional caching and curing techniques. The possibilities we foresaw, not only for Inuit development, but also within the bureaucracy, were for positions such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, counsellors, mechanics, pilots, electricians, surveyors, biologists, botanists, environmental technicians, scientists, chemists, geologists, computer programmers, orthodontists, GIS technicians, wildlife ofcers, police ofcers, patrol ofcers, welders and other technical positions.

The onus is on Inuit youth to get educated, because the negotiators knew that we would have to wait a generation before we could have our own bureaucracy. Good educational planning is important for everyone, but we are still a Third World territory in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The educational system has vastly improved from the time of my youth, but there is still not enough emphasis on academic curriculum during the younger grades. Only in Grade 10 do they introduce science. In my youth, science was an everyday affair, especially biology, astronomy and meteorology from the elders. Inuit would have liked to have had more hard-line provisions in relation to government positions, to be forced to apprentice Inuit, so that after two or three years, we could get

rid of the transients, including all technical positions within NTI and the RIAs. Unfortunately for our young Inuit, we could not overturn the Constitution and impose severe training requirements, nor could we force other social changes that, if implemented, would have completely changed the entire government structure. All of them are imported and it will take several years to change them to meet our challenges.

Change is slow, especially within a bureaucracy such as the federal government and particularly DIAND. (Dept. of Imbeciles, Agrarians, Nitwits and Dinosaurs, is how we referred to them. Even dinosaurs must eventually die, as an asteroid proved 65 million years ago.) Change can only happen when there is a revolution, such as we attempted to incite among our youth more than 10 years ago. But revolutions do not happen when people do not believe the ideology.

With all of the distractions today, it is hard to get our youth to vote. We should impose some sort of repercussion for not voting, especially among our youth, perhaps change the voting age to 19. Pierre Trudeau awoke my civil responsibilities, because he stated that voting is not a right, but a privilege. As for Nunavuts infrastructure problems, we knew that government would eventually balk and that is why we envisioned Inuit money providing infrastructure for a price, better known later as the P-3 policy. As well, we envisioned Inuit developing infrastructure within the communities, but that is already happening with the new Atuqtuaqvik program. The most important use for this money may be in developing the Inuit-owned land parcels that have the best chances of succeeding and which can lead to job-creation for our communities.

TOP November 23, 2001 Is the Inuit future secure?

A veteran land claims negotiator discusses how the Inuit of Nunavut might regain control of the Nunavut process. ALLEN MAGHAGAK Special to Nunatsiaq News As we approach another Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. election for the President and Vice President of Finance on Dec. 10, 2001, and begin the last ve-year march towards the nal compensation payment of $1.2 billion being paid by the federal government to the Inuit under the Nunavut land claims agreement, we have to begin to ask ourselves if our claims agreement is working for us and providing the security that we fought for.

Better yet, are the benets getting down to the beneciaries and not getting caught up the middle of all the management systems that are in place for NTI, the RIAs, the birthright development corporations, and yes, the government of Nunavut?

If we say our youth is our future, then why are we giving them such a hard time in getting nancial assistance and adequate funds to continue and complete their postsecondary education and preparing for their future? I know of a couple of young people in my region who have given up and have gone their own way to try and complete their university studies, because the scholarships and brochures that were promised by the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee and the education department of the Nunavut government have not come through. More recently, an Inuk beneciary from north Qikiqtaaluk had to look for and received funding from another aboriginal group to continue her university studies.

So what is this saying to our youth? To me its saying that their studies are not worth the promises that we make to them. Need I say more? Second, some of our institutes of public government are launching court challenges because they are not being given the necessary powers to carry out their responsibilities as assigned under the Nunavut land claims agreement. Again, what is this saying to us? That governments are not honouring the agreement, or a colonialistic ideology is still alive within the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the government of Canada? As owners and managers of our lands in Nunavut, we have to give our regulators the tools to carry out their work. The Nunavut Water Board has to have the power to not only issue water licenses, but also the power to set up the kinds of regulations and rules that have to be followed to protect the environment, waters and our wildlife. The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board has to have the power to manage wildlife without interference from the government of Canada and meet the needs of our people, and yet protect the species of animals that are under their mandate. We cannot afford to be managed by a distant administration that does not understand the land, wildlife or people, otherwise we are asking for trouble losing our livelihood, our wildlife, and eroding our traditional forms of management and respect for them.

Other IPGs are not faring well either, because of a lack of necessary funding to carry out their mandates. But if they were given the necessary funds, power, mandates, we could control all of Nunavut with respect to lands, water, oceans, wildlife, environment and the future direction of our people. Third, are our major players, such as NTI, the RIAs, the birthright corporations and the Nunavut government being given the proper tools and funds to carry out their mandate? Better yet, are we all working together for the benet of the residents of Nunavut?

Remember, you were all created under one umbrella, the Nunavut land claims agreement, which was signed by all three parties and endorsed by your Parliament and by eligible beneciaries.

Reacting to situations of the day is not good for the direction of its people. But being proactive, doing long-range planning, and developing human, nancial and natural resources, including leadership with a vision, is better suited to meet the needs of our people in todays fast-changing society. Are we getting the right direction in the political, economic and social arena? Only you, as beneciaries and residents of Nunavut can answer that. As for me, Im worried about the photo ops that are too frequent and the little details that are not being looked after in this fast cash-driven society. We are hypnotized by the big deals that get the major headlines and forget about overcrowded housing, suicides, lack of education, and some of the social ills that we are suffering. We cannot have a "Have and Have-Not" society in Nunavut where the rich get richer and the poor stay in limbo. We still have time to make changes for ourselves, our next door neighbours and our fellow Nunavummiut for the betterment of our future, our youth and our collective need to survive as northerners.

But we have to stop relying on others to do it for us we have to do it ourselves.

Fourth, are the NTI leadership hopefuls ready to meet the challenges? Will they lead us to the promise of the NLCA and the creation of the Nunavut government? Are they prepared to plan for us post-2007 when the money stops owing from the compensation settlement? And most of all, have they learned from the Inuit of Nunavik and the Inuvialuit of the many headaches, court challenges and the downward spiral let-down that came afterwards, so that we Inuit dont travel down the same path? Finally, are we the Inuit ready to push our leadership to the limits of their capabilities, knowledge and vision for the future? Or are we still in the popularity contest phase? I, for one, feel we need a clear vision of where were going after the year 2007, when the nal payment is made under our compensation agreement, a nancial management plan that will carry us to the next ve generations. We need to take control of all the regulatory mandates that are spelled out for the IPGs, re-direct the Nunavut government towards its rightful path, and to listen to the residents rather than to DIAND. Finally, we need to give clear direction to our leadership that Inuit of Nunavut are ready to meet any challenges ahead and become major players, not only in Nunavut, but in

the rest of the country, so that we feel we are contributing as our ancestors have done in the past and are secure in our future as Inuit for the benet of the next generations to follow us.

Allen Maghagak is a assistant chief negotiator for the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut, former president of Kitikmeot Inuit Association and former assistant to the rst vicepresident of NTI.

TOP November 16, 2001

Canadian rst? Or First Canadian?

Canada is the "ningauk" of the Inuit.

JOSE A. KUSUGAK President, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada

Do you consider yourself Inuit or Canadians rst? For many Inuit, this is an easy question to answer. Of course they are Inuit rst. After all, their ancestors were Inuit before there was a Canada. Canada is only 134 years old, whereas the Inuit homeland is perhaps 20,000 years old. But is that the right answer today? Is the answer as simple as that? Is that the only answer? As president of Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, I am frequently asked to speak at universities and management cross-cultural courses, along with my fellow aboriginal leaders. When asked this apparently important question, the audience usually asks the Indians rst; knowing the answer they will get, and they are never disappointed. "We are Indians rst and foremost" and sometimes "Canadianism" doesnt even come into the picture. Then the questioner gives me a look that says "Okay, Mr. Inuit, are you really that different?" and asks politely, "and you Mr. Kusugak, do Inuit see themselves as Inuit rst or as Canadians rst?" Well, I answer, I know I have always thought those two sentiments were one and the same. After all, during our many meetings with other Inuit from countries such as Denmark, the United States or Russia, we have always been Canadian Inuit. The difference asked of course is culturally relevant to Qallunaaq. Just this morning I received an e-mail asking "were the Inuit matrilineal or patrilineal, matriarchal or patriarchal?"

As I read this question, I realize that there appears to be a need to identify differences, to see if Inuit are "them" or "us." Are you like us or not? If I answer like my Indian friends, they will leave me alone. But life is not so simple, so I hesitate to answer likewise. This hesitancy makes me think that I should answer that Inuit are Canadians rst; but that answer will solicit a further question: "Why do Inuit think that?" And to answer "because" simply wont do. To answer this question I had to draw from my culture and family traditions. My rst-born daughter Aliisa just got married to a ne young fellow named Cedric. Traditionally, and tradition continues today, Cedric is my ningauk, not my "son-in-law," as the word son-in-law suggests "losing a daughter and gaining a son." Ningauk means that, now that she is married, I will never love my Aliisa any less and in no way am I losing her. Ningauk reinforces the fact that we are adding Cedric to our family, and that we are also adding Cedrics family to our family. Inuit traditional society law also dictates that I must put my ningauk on a pedestal above my Aliisa. Cedrics parents must do the same for Aliisa. This is to ensure that respective in-laws accept and love the one marrying into the family. The point is that I will love my daughter always and I want her to be accepted with all her goodness and faults by her new family. My wife and I want her to be accepted by Cedric and his family, so we put Cedric rst as Cedrics family puts Aliisa rst. I tell you this story to say that it has everything to do with how I nally answered the question. As Italian-Canadians, Chinese-Canadians and Jewish-Canadians are proud of their ethnic background, so are Inuit. From our rst contacts with settlers, Inuit have participated actively as partners in the fur economy, and we want our partnership with Canada to continue to grow. Since Inuit have been "married" to Canada, we do not need to worry about losing our identity or loving ourselves less. We will always be Inuit and Canada is now our "ningauk." If Inuit are to be fully accepted as Canadians, Inuit must put Canada rst. Out of necessity, Inuit have focused on land claim issues over the past 30 years. With the signing of agreements in the Inuvialuit settlement region, as well as in Nunavik and Nunavut, we expect to see an end to the "claims era" when the Labrador land claim is signed next year.

Inuit can now plan for the next 30 years. Like a marriage that requires constant work and attention in order to be successful, there is much work to be done to get Inuit to an equal starting point with the rest of Canada.

But now I can proudly say "I am Canadian rst" and I am also a "First Canadian." TOP November 9, 2001 NAM urges Ottawa to help Nunavut Nunavut Association of Municipalities

Heres an edited transcript of a presentation that Keith Peterson, vice-president of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, made before the House of Commons standing committee on nance last month in Edmonton.

The Nunavut Association of Municipalities is located in Iqaluit, the capital of Canadas newest territory, Nunavut. Our organization is mandated to represent the needs and concerns of Nunavuts 25 municipalities with senior governments, including our own territorial government, and the federal government. Our association is well-positioned to represent the needs, and state the priorities, of Nunavut as a whole. Because we represent communities at the "ground level," we are aware of issues and concerns that are not immediately apparent to any other level of government.

Brieng structure

It is a pleasure to be invited to appear before the standing committee on nance, as part of the federal governments pre-budget consultations. You have indicated the proposed budgetary plan will ideally address the following objectives:

ensure that Canada remains a major player in the new economy; provide Canadians with equal opportunity to succeed; and

create a socio-economic environment where Canadians can enjoy the best quality of life and standard of living.

Our presentation will address each of the above objectives, in that order.
Overview

The Conference Board of Canada was recently commissioned by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the government of Nunavut, and the Department of Indian Affairs to study the current and longer-term prospects for Nunavuts economy.

This study was released a number of weeks ago.

In that report, it was acknowledged that Nunavuts basic infrastructure is of serious concern, and in very critical condition. Even more concerning was its mention of basic structural deciencies in education and health care indeed, essential elements for meaningful economic and social development. The report states that "The health status of Nunavummiut is much lower than that of other Canadians," and offers stark reminders that "health-related services and education are in desperate need of attention," statements that, unfortunately reect the reality. Failure to improve our health conditions and upgrade our education levels is seen as one of the greatest risks to our future development. In a recent meeting with Finance Minister Paul Martin in Iqaluit, it was pointed out that Nunavut has never had the investment in basic infrastructure that has been realized in other Canadian jurisdictions over the past century Yet we compete in the same economy, while struggling with social and economic issues that result, in large part, from inadequate infrastructure. It is imperative, in fact urgent, that the upcoming federal budget begin to address many basic issues for Nunavut. Otherwise our municipalities cannot realistically be included when indicating any degree of success with the objectives the standing committee is targeting.

The new economy

The federal government operates on the basic principle of fairness to all Canadians, ensuring that no one individual or group realizes an undue benet. Nunavut, as a territory, has an inherent right to contribute to Canadas place in the new economy, in the same way that the provinces do. With realistic investment in basic infrastructure needs, and appropriate policy responses by the government, Nunavut can make a strong contribution in the years ahead. In fact, without this proactive federal response, much of the incremental economic development that occurs in other Canadian jurisdictions, and the benets of productivity

improvements and technological innovation in these jurisdictions, will be signicantly offset in Nunavut.

Our communities are in desperate need of assistance, not in terms of continued handouts, but in terms of real investments in basic infrastructure, stimulative investment policies, tax breaks and economic development strategies. These municipalities continue to be almost 100 per cent dependent on government transfers. And while many of our communities may never become entirely self-sustaining, it is imperative that we reduce our reliance on transfers from other, more productive regions. We require development strategies, and federal programs and investment, to allow our communities to become more economically viable. More specically, Nunavut desperately needs an economic development agreement with Ottawa. Without this, most major investments required to stimulate economic growth will be inefcient or totally ineffective. While we are assured that such an agreement is "in the works," we have strong doubts, and have seen no indication of progress. In order to achieve the objective of ensuring that Canada remains a major player in a global economy, it is imperative that immediate steps are taken to ensure Nunavut has an economic development framework in place to support this objective. This strategic framework must provide the basis for additional federal, sector-specic investment, and for the stimulation of economic growth at the community level. This will help ensure that Nunavut can make a meaningful contribution to the Canadian economy, and to our countrys position in the global marketplace.

Equal opportunity to succeed

The importance of skills development, and the creation of an economic environment where Nunavuts residents especially our youth can develop these skills, was emphasized in the report by the Conference Board. As stated: "Without healthy communities and healthy, skilled citizens, a jurisdictions economic growth [will] be limited. Similarly, without a solid economic base, it [will] not be possible to nancially sustain health and social programs that are important to its citizens." All Canadians deserve an equal opportunity to succeed. Average income per family is lower in Nunavut than the average for the rest of Canada, and the health status of our residents is known to be sub-standard to that of other Canadians. This objective is not being met in Nunavut! Many of Nunavuts health statistics are comparable to those of developing countries, and this obviously detracts from other important priorities like economic development.

Housing deciencies in Nunavut is another factor that detracts from the opportunity for our residents to succeed. Not only is there a signicant shortage in stock (the government of Nunavut estimates that $100 million per year will be required over the next ve years to meet housing demand) but the operating costs, resulting in large part from the elevated cost of utilities, further diminishes the territorial governments capacity to address this situation.

In order to achieve the objective of providing our residents with a fair and equitable opportunity to succeed, the upcoming budget will need to increase budgetary allocations for improving healthcare and educational standards in Nunavut. And substantially more dollars are required for ongoing skill-development as this pertains to participation in key industries such as mineral exploration and development, sheries, and tourism.

Quality of life and standard of living

The quality of municipal infrastructure has a direct bearing on our environment, the quality of life in our communities, and on our overall standard of living. Success in managing the environment is often seen as a proxy for performance in other areas, and as a foundation for socio-economic development. It is unfair that Nunavut cannot meet environmental standards achieved elsewhere in Canada, in large part because of inadequate funding for infrastructure. Nunavuts basic infrastructure needs greatly exceed the capacity of existing initiatives and funding agreements. Nunavuts allocation of only $2 million under the Canada Infrastructure Program is inappropriate. As stated in the recently-published "Joint Report of the Standing Committees" of the Nunavut legislative assembly, in reference to capital spending requirements, "This reinforces the need for the Government of Nunavut to aggressively push for federal infrastructure investment that genuinely takes into account the cost of providing services to Canadian citizens in the most challenging geography to be found in the country." The formula nancing agreement with Ottawa, which is theoretically meant to ll the gap between Nunavuts spending requirements and the revenue it can generate on its own, is inadequate. If basic human needs are not being met, especially in terms of housing, health, and education, creation of the socio-economic environment outlined above will never be achieved in Nunavut. In order to achieve the objective of creating a socio-economic environment where Canadians can enjoy the best quality of life and standard of living, the upcoming budget must take steps to address Nunavuts infrastructure requirements at the community

level, the implementation of an economic development strategy for Nunavut, and the inadequacy of Nunavuts formula nancing agreement.

Once again, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address this committee. TOP November 2, 2001 Acclaimed youth dance troupe quits in frustration
GAYLE REDDICK and ZINOUR FATHOULLIN

The narrow bigotry of a few Iqaluit Inuit helped sabotage the internationally-acclaimed Inuit dance group, Sikumiut.

As a follow-up to recent articles concerning the need for increased support for youth and Inuit culture (Mary Wilman and the NSDC), economic development in Nunavut (Elizabeth Hadlari and the Cambridge Bay jewelry program) and the GN urging hamlets to raise their own money, heres our experience with Sikumiut Inuit Dancers and Drummers Inc. At the request of the Inuit youth performing with us on April 1, 1999, we formed Sikumiut. This idea came from them, as they so enjoyed performing for a national audience and wished to continue to be ambassadors for Inuit culture. We two were passionate about the Inuit culture this is why we came North in the rst place. Zinour had more than 10 years experience collaborating with the Inuit of Siberia, and as we were willing to dedicate some time and energy to the endeavour, we agreed to establish the troupe as a non-prot organization. Due to the reviews from the April 1 performances, we received a number of invitations to perform. That summer, Sikumiut performed in Nuuk, Greenland to sold-out audiences a rst for Nuuk. In the fall of 1999, we did a one-month tour of Belgium and France, taking with us elder throat-singers Haunaq Mikkigaq and Napatchie Pootoogook of Cape Dorset as performers, consultants and role models for the youth. Next, Sikumiut, along with Haunaq Mikkigaq, Timangia Petaulassie, and David Serkoak, whom we requested be included, represented Canada internationally on the "Global Millennium Special 2000 Today." We also did a tour of the Ukraine and Russia, performing in two acclaimed international festivals, as well as a number of theatres. It is worth noting that one performance was at

the National Opera House of the Ukraine, the same theatre where Barishnikov and Nureyev performed on a regular basis. This performance was at the request of the Canadian embassy in Kiev.

Our tour to Russia took us to the Siberian Arctic where we did collaborative performances with other circumpolar Inuit. In the spring and summer of 2000, Sikumiut performed in Inuvik, at the Circumpolar Children and Youth Festival, at the International Aboriginal Conference in Alaska, and at the National Aboriginal Peoples Day celebrations in Ottawa. This spring, Sikumiut performed at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and southern Ontario, during a 10-day tour. These are just some of the shows that Sikumiut did upon invitation outside Nunavut. There were many performances here in Iqaluit the joint meeting of ministers for sustainable development, the hockey association, Nunavut Tourism, the Arctic Cooperatives Ltd. AGM, the 2002 Arctic Winter Games host society meetings, and so on. My role in Sikumiut was as administrative director, manager and proposal writer. Zinour was the artistic director, choreographer, trainer, and dancer. We raised more than $350,000 from over 15 organizationsmost of which went to Inuit youth in the form of salaries, local businesses, seamstresses and drum-makers. Other than a very short period six weeks of receiving a part-time salary, I worked voluntarily as manager and proposal writer. In two years, Zinour also worked voluntarily, with the exception of short periods of pay gained through proposals. We consistently paid the dancers, bills, and local people before we paid ourselves, a choice that meant that at the end of the day, we were left unpaid. This decision was made due to the passion and commitment that we had for the Inuit culture and youth of Nunavut. We didnt want to be seen as Qallunaat again taking advantage of Inuit. For nancial support we would like to thank Kakivak, the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, the Elks, the Department of Sustainable Development, the Legion, the Tulugaq Bar, QIA, NTI for travel funding for beneciaries, the Arctic Insurance Co., Nunavut Tourism, Canadian North and First Air. Thanks also to the many individuals who supported us in our efforts to bring Inuit youth and culture to a wider audience: Marie Fortier at Top of the World Travel, the Iqaluit District Education Authority, Ed Picco, Nancy Karetak-Lindell and staff, Ingo Moslener, and to our board of directors: Monica Ell, Oo Aqpik-Billard, Natsiq Kango and Peter Ittinuar.

Unfortunately, like Elizabeth Hadlari, after much time and energy, nancial and emotional heart breaks, by this March we simply had enough. The success came with some support, but also much sacrice.

We housed, rescued, testied for, paid, trained voluntarily, fed and counselled more than 50 Inuit youth in a two-year period. We dealt with lack of commitment, dancers quitting at the last minute before tours and performances, the sabotage of projects by a few local Inuit, and being defrauded of funds by dancers. We were repeatedly told by NTI that we were not considered an Inuit organization and did not qualify for ongoing funding, despite the fact that they used our image in their ads many times as being the voice of Nunavut. We were denied funding by the Canada Council based on reports by a few Inuit who said we were not involving Inuit in our endeavours. In deciding to pack it in, we cancelled tours to Europe and Australia, as well as performances in Indianapolis, on Parliament Hill for Canada Day, and an invitation by CBC national producers to put something together for the Arctic Winter Games 2002. Art and culture exist in order to make people reect upon their daily lives and their purpose in it. This is often a painful experience, as it makes us look in the mirror. We leave hoping that the government of Nunavut, Inuit organizations and Nunavummiut will come together in a meaningful way in the preservation, promotion and development of Inuit youth and culture. Special thanks to our friends and families North and South who have been there for us throughout.

Taima. TOP

Editors note: We originally recieved this piece as a letter to the editor, but because of its length, and the seriousness of the issues that it raises, we turned it into a commentary. It has been edited only for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

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