Four corners idea doesn’t impress elders

LEEVEDE ATAGOYUK

Some elders in Iqaluit think town council should have consulted them before advancing plans to build new Nunavut buildings in the capital’s already congested downtown core.

“The Town is the authority as to where the buildings are going to be, but as voters we should have a say,” Simonie Michael said this week. “I think this is a rush decision.”

Michael, a former territorial councillor for Iqaluit and a long time resident of Apex, said the proposed site for new office buildings ­ the “four corners” area, where the Ring Road crosses the Airport Road ­ is unsuitable.

He objects to the proposed site for office development because he says it would be too close to where people live.

Council gave federal officials permission last fall to consider the downtown location for the buildings.

Don’t block beach

Lucasie Nutaraluk, a respected elder in Iqaluit, doesn’t object to the proposed location for the buildings if they don’t obstruct hunters’ access to the beach.

“As long as the new government buildings do not affect the hunters in the beach area, I’m satisfied,” said Nutaraluk. ”

In recent years, the Arnakallak Building, the Unikkaarvik Visitors Centre and the musuem have all cropped up along Iqaluit’s shoreline.

“I am not comfortable with that.”

Nutaraluk added that he thinks town councillors would do well to seek advice from elders before making major decisions in the future.

Charlie Shagiatok, an elder who lives near the intersection, said the volume of traffic flowing through the four-corners area has already compromised the safety of pedestrians.