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Cece Hodgson-McCauley
Guest comment
Monday, March 10, 2008
One-hundred-thirty-five layoffs in GNWT. Good! But all the layoffs should be in Yellowknife's capital offices. They won't even miss the 135 bodies. Some good suggestions from union workers such as limiting some supplies, using car pools, cutting travel etc...
Boy, is the Delta region ever mad at their hometown premier. It sounds like cabinet decided? For something so important as this, all MLAs and cabinet should be involved.
The places that shouldn't be touched are things that have to do with young people, such as closing Arctic Tern, the young offenders facility. It is never too late. The local people must present arguments and ideas as to why they need to keep the facility open. The first thing I asked about Arctic Tern is whether they have an education program. I was told they have a good teacher in-house.
The most important resource we have in our territory is our young people. Leaders are always ranting on about the young people being our future. yet that's one area they sure neglect. Sports is alive and well in the territory but the other important part of growing up is to get you to face your future - education. We have so many drop outs in the Aboriginal population but no one seems to care. There is no follow up.
You look at all the young people in trouble. They are bright and beautiful. They should be busy studying for their future, to be excited about the challenges facing them in their future. Not to be idle and stuck in isolation, neglected by two parents working. Many are lonely, from being left alone. They turn bitter. They lash out at the world.
One minister said in the house "...We must get tough on young offenders. They don't respect anything..." No child is born bad. Society and parents must nurture. They say it takes a whole community to raise a child. It's true in a way, so Inuvik should all rally around Arctic Tern and not let them close the facility.
All the cuts should be in Yellowknife. The civil servants who lose jobs should just go work at the mines - two weeks in and two weeks out, good wages, etc ... The mine won't have to fly workers all the way from the south, right?
With all the talk about government cuts, someone mentioned the housing problem and the $32.00 per month rents on two to three bedroom houses by a single person. That is the biggest thorn in people's side and has been going on for years, but the government can't seem to fix or change the rules and regulations. Also, some rules and management has been turned to another department! The department of Education, Culture and Employment. They now realize this is not working either. Maybe they should just privatize housing?
People who manage housing are aware of the abuse, and the men on the streets are aware of the 32.00 per month rent and on which house. Some of these houses are used for gambling, poker etc... and they charge admission and even sell decks of cards and cigarettes. Now you hear of no housing for teachers in Sachs Harbour so that some teachers are leaving! For their future generations, for the children, the good people of Sachs better put on their thinking hats and do something. While Aboriginal leaders must try to encourage their young people into the teaching and medical professions.
- 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.