Igloolik stand-off a wake-up call

Louis Tapardjuk, who represents Igloolik in the Nunavut legislature, told his fellow MLAs he was happy that the four-day armed stand-off in his home community ended peacefully.

“It seemed as if the whole community was held in hostage,” Tapardjuk said in a member’s statement.

Tapardjuk attributed this week’s upheaval to changes in the Inuit lifestyle as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

“We have to bring up our children properly so they will have a healthier adult lifestyle.”

Tapardjuk deplored the bad relations between many in his community and those who work for health and social services or the RCMP.

The situation will improve only when Inuit take back “ownership” of these services.

“We can’t just follow non-beneficiaries advice,” Tapardjuk said.