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Cece Hodgson-McCauley
Guest comment
Monday, September 17, 2007
Paulatuk, the little town, way up there on the shore of the Arctic Ocean, which we hear sits right on top of a gigantic anomaly, of diamonds, gold and other precious metals, etc, etc...so rich...etc!
But the CBC broadcasting these days about Paulatuk is very bleak. The one piece everyone should chew on is they may lose some education dollars due to 100 children registered and only 20 showing up to school!
But that's the same problem in many areas! Maybe CBC did the children a favour by putting the problem on the world radar, a wake up call to parents.
It is the parents job and duty, simple as that! We must look at the child's side of it as well. They are entering a whole new world with a big load to carry at the tender and innocent grades of 1 to 7. After Grade 7 they are older and tougher, but the beginners really need help.
Children hate to go to bed and hate to get up in the morning. It is a struggle for parents in the morning to get the children out of bed, dressed, fed and get them to school. And we all have heard of children going to school hungry! Rushing in the morning with no time to eat. If only a hot breakfast could be arranged in schools then many children will have something to look forward to and rush in the morning to get to school.
People in Paulatuk are very strong, traditional people. I know them, my friends, the Thrashers, Greens, Rubens etc...They will grab the problem at hand, go to work and resolve it!
They are part of the huge conglomerate Inuvialuit Business world and they are aware of the needs to educate and train for the future.
I know living on the land or going on traditional hunts is a way of life, my only suggestion is to try and bring reading material out on hunting trips. I know good pocket books can be had, easy to pack and carry. Get young people reading and learning on the trapline!
On CBC Today, someone blamed Paulatuk problems on residential school, high cost of living, milk and so on as well as poor leaders etc
Well, the lord put us and all the animals on Earth as living creatures on this big world to do our best! And one of your best is to love, protect and nurture your children for the future.
Blaming residential school for all the problems can't go on forever! But you can do something about the high cost in two thirds of our territory. Maybe it is true we have had poor leaders in the past.
I was pleased to hear a woman raise the question of why aren't MLAs not looking at the whole North! The best question was when she gave a big plug to why are they not building the highway so that everyone can enjoy an affordable living!
We need more people to push the highway issue, especially now that you hear the Russians are practicing with their long range fighter jets over the Beaufort Sea and close to Inuvik! And not only that, reports that Russia and China plan to jointly display their military might. Puten says, their pilots have been grounded for to long, sounds scary!
And now lets see who the people elect, some very good candidates, eleven are woman, so come on women, support and see how many women we can get into our GNWT it is time for women to come forward, we are tired of always hearing the sad story on why aren't women not getting into management and executive positions! They are getting these! We have women presidents of countries and in executive of multinationals, of banks, so it's time for GNWT to be on the lookout for women.
The NWT needs a boost in every region north of Yellowknife. The Beaufort region especially needs a corridor from the Alta region, especially for our sovereignty, we need to open up and develop our territory.
I'm curious, is that $30 for milk in Paulatuk for two-litres or four-litres? No wonder some children in isolated regions eat cereal with water! Boy oh boy, we need help in the NT!
- 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.