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Cece Hodgson-McCauley
Guest comment
Monday, January 21, 2008
Yes siree, we need more women as leaders MLAs in the NWT. They are on top of issues. They observe, calculate and have vision! I got a call yesterday from one of my girls in the Hay River region. She was up in arms about the CBC report regarding the Bathurst Inlet deep water port and various roads that are planned to location in Nunavut etc... She was almost hysterical, saying Nunavut is way ahead of us in development because they hire and use the best people with the education and experience and they treat them with respect - which is completely opposite in the NWT. Except for the Inuvialuit, they operate like their relatives in the east. They are all getting rich from doing the right thing!
She also went on about NTCL, how they are not servicing the Mackenzie river region. It's sad but true! Because they are concentrating on their coastal communities in the Beaufort she suggested people along the Mackenzie should start supporting Coopers Barge and get more boats on the river, etc.
So, I told her my little column can only do so much. People should write to the paper!
To soothe her shattered nerves I promised to stir the pot! I told her that someone suggested I should do something drastic to be sent to jail! I said I can't go on a hunger strike, I'm too skinny, I'll die for sure! I'm thinking and thinking.
I get many phone calls, sometimes as a last resort - which is my poison pen I guess? I almost blew my top. For instance, yesterday, I bought pork ribs, a tiny package, eight ribs about four inches long each 680g (or 1.5 lbs) for $16.19!!
I thought it was a mistake. In the mid-1990s the government, the Liberals, announced that child poverty would be eliminated by 2000! It is 2008 now and milk is still $8.50 for two litres. It's tough for the average family - those who don't work for the government or for aboriginal organizations. Those who travel to meetings and sit on boards can bring cheap food home. No wonder there is so much violence. When you are hungry or neglected you lash out at anything.
I saw the report or news release for the NWT after Hon. Chuck Strahl's visit to Yellowknife. It was his first visit as minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. I am very disappointed in the report but you can't blame him - he is new to the job. Blame the GNWT. They should have advised the new minister that he should be the first minister since John Diefenbaker to envision the true future of the NWT by finally moving forward in 2008 with the completion of the Mackenzie highway, to connect the whole Territory as one.
It has been 50 years since the Federal government gave us a government, the vote, and made us part of Canada. Well, I say the Sahtu region is still left out, even though we are the most important region because we are in the central part. Square in the middle! The Sahtu region is holding up the development of the NT by being neglected and undeveloped, which is making the Sahtu people second class citizens, paying through the nose for our food and goods!
The year 2008 must liberate us from isolation! Right?
- Cece Hodgson-McCauley is the founding chief of the Inuvik Dene band and will remain honourary chief for life. She can be reached at fax (867) 587-3003 or by phone (867) 587-3037.