Iqaluit dog team society wants say in West 40 development
Group has no lease on commissioner’s land used for dog teams in area
Aliqa Illauq speaks about the dog team society’s use of the West 40 area of Iqaluit. She was one of several speakers voicing concerns that development not interfere with the area used for sled dogs. (Photo by David Lochead)
Members of Iqaluit’s dog team society filled city hall Tuesday night to voice concerns that proposed development in the city’s West 40 area could push them out.
“The Inuit sled dogs are still here and will be here for a long time,” said Amber Aglukark, who is president of the dog team society, Qimussiqtiit Katimajingit.
City council held a public hearing at city hall to allow residents to speak about amendments to zoning bylaws, including a proposal to allow for development of the West 40 area. The proposal is to rezone the area for industrial leases, such as garages and warehouses.
West 40 is located between the airport and the entrance to Sylvia Grinnell Park.
Certain parts of the area are commissioner’s land in the process of being transferred to the city, including what’s used by Iqaluit’s dog team society. The dog team society has no lease on the land, according to city spokesperson Kent Driscoll.
Cameron McDonald, with the dog team society, said he wants more assurance that future planning won’t end up booting the society’s dogs from the land they’re on.
“What we’re asking for now is some security in [our ability to use] that area,” McDonald said.
Each speaker in support of the dog team society received loud applause from fellow members of Iqaluit Qimussiqtiit Katimajingit, most of who were in the room beside council chamber, since the 15 seats within the chamber were filled.
Aglukark told Nunatsiaq News that members of her organization are also concerned about how future development will affect the environment around the dog-team area.
Specifically, Aglukark said dog team members are concerned about contamination of land, fuel runoff and pollution from new subdivisions.
Community planning consultant Sam Toffolo said the rezoning is only the early part of the process of development and there will be a larger planning process that will include consultation with the dog owners.
The amendments to the zoning and general plan bylaws for the West 40 are past the first reading but city council will take what was said at the public hearing into account before it is presented for second reading.
aliqas not even from iqaluit, just chasing clout that one
Yep. How does someone with no dog team get so involved? The power grab and attempt to jump in is obvious.
What ever happened to leaving dog teams on an island for the summer/fall seasons? This way they are not tied up all the time and they are able to roam free on the island.
Ginger ale —This was brought up at the council meeting when I was there, but the reason for not having the dogs on the bigger island in Koojesse Inlet is because community members pick berries on it, but I would assume any island further to that one would be to far for the dog teamers. Both Solomon Awa and Romeyn noted that there’s limited useful space for the dog teamers as they require fresh water and Amber mentioned they need access to the traditional trails in the Park.
Because dog teams don’t sit idle all summer getting into fights on some overcrowded island . They are a valuable asset that need to train and be looed after Winter AND Summer.
Set up a lease and stay on the land.
I don’t care either way but if they’re using unleased Commissioner’s land then could they not move to another piece of unleased land?
This is obviously an important part of the community but is THAT plot of land so important to them that it should stymie much needed development?
John K —at the meeting, yes “THAT” specific parcel of land is important, mainly two things: access to traditional dog sledding trails in the Park, and access to fresh water. The Park is under an IIBA Umbrella agreeement between QIA and the GN, and access to Inuit for traditional activities cannot be limited, so “THAT” parcel of land is important since the Airport blocks off access on the other side. These were the points brought up by Amber and then raised by Romeyn.
Thanks for the info.
Would they team not be able to be housed IN the park? If access to trails and water inside the park are the issue then it seems like that would be the better option. It would also place the teams on already protected land so would safeguard the group from having to deal with this again.
I don’t know, maybe I’m misunderstanding the situation but this just seems like recalcitrance.
The park needs to be publicly accessible. having day trippers and tourists wandering around the dog teams is a recipe for disaster. They need to be out on their own.
They’re already chained up in a very public way and I can still access everything past and around where they are now, so I’m not sure your objection carries much weight.
No one goes down the west 40 without a valid reason that’s my point. It may be accessible but no one chooses to walk there.
My comment stands regardless of where you move the goalposts.
The IIBA is between QIA and GN. Within the context and boundary of the park, the GN cannot limit access to traditional activities, and even then some wording says it’ll try to “avoid” it. The city can do whatever they want with that land as they are not bound to the agreement.
Has elders/community members of Iqaluit been consulted? Are they good with the area being used for this purpose? Seems like they set up camp and took over the area.
The area is designated for dog teams in the current zoning bylaw. It is not a squat
I am in full support of the dog teams staying at that location. But, a couple of things… where the dog teams are situated in W40 now is contaminated land, of that I am certain. The location is sitting right off of the first aircraft runway built back in the 40’s by the Americans. Lots of gas and oil would have been used there. At the end of the road (old runway) was (and still is, probably, although I have not gone there lately to know for sure) a bunch of abandoned/dumped 45 gallon fuel/oil drums. There was a Royal Roads University study done around 1996 where they identified 7 (I believe that was the number, been awhile since I read it) contaminated sites around Iqaluit … that was one. The other significant sites at the time included Apex landfill, North 40 metal dump, Upper Base…I cannot recall the others presently. So, anyways, the dogs are sitting on contaminated land as it is. I recall when the Governor Apt Bldg was constructed back in mid 90’s. Before they could begin construction of the building, they had to remediate the property of fuel oil in the ground. I recall looking at that after they dug the hole to begin the process. It was a big berm (the footprint of the building and a bit wider) where it looked like an olympic size swimming pool just FULL of the blackest of black fuel oil. That fuel oil, it was surmised, can be found in the ground throughout the whole lower area of Iqaluit. The only concern I have, and I know many fellow community members have as well, is that many people fear loose dogs for the potential of being attacked. Maybe the way to mitigate public concern about loose dogs is to put up a chain link fence around the perimeter of the dog team area.
The dumping site at the end of that ill-flated east-west runway was remediated around 2015. Which was shortly before the process started to transfer this land from the GN to the City. Fair point that much of West 40 is contaminated, but so is much of lower base. The municipality is the right entity to control lands within the municipality.
Seems fairly strait forward: don’t move the dog teams until there is an appropriate place to move them to (Dry, access to water, and access to trails) AND the other areas around the dogs teams have been developed with buildings.
Was the issue of the loose dogs brought up? The fact that most of these dogs run loose around town should be the biggest topic to talk about it
I was bringing it up as a concern as to location where many people who are going fishing and walking through there, or even on the road to deep port for any reason do have concerns about loose dogs out there…the subject is dogs in W40, right? I agree, btw, about loose dogs in general but that’s another topic.
Most of them run loose? When you exaggerate like that, it makes whatever point you’re trying to make carry zero value.
The GN and the City seem to have taken over W40, all for industrial use. Gravelled over berrypicking areas. Dumped excess rock on a pond used by migratory birds. Cut off access to the archeology at the point.
The dog teams in that area do need some regulating, for the safety of the public. And the new town along the river, made of shacks, tents and wood.
There are so many issues with W40 and its use. The resurgence of dog team use is something that needs to be embraced and accommodated, regardless of where one lives.
While I appreciate the sentiments and concerns voiced by members of Iqaluit’s dog team society, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of the issue at hand. The motion before the council is primarily related to a bylaw zoning amendment to the general plan. What many may not realize is that the current “open space” usage by the dog teams doesn’t even align with the existing Heavy Industrial designation, so in essence, their current utilization is already non-compliant with existing zoning.
It’s commendable that those who presented to the council provided valuable insights and advocated passionately for the sled dogs. However, it might have been more constructive if they had also delved deeper into understanding land planning and processes. This knowledge would have equipped them with a broader perspective, enabling more informed discussions and negotiations.
Lastly, I concur with the suggestion made by a fellow commenter: integrating the dog teams into the Sylvia Grinnell Park might be a strategic move. Municipal zoning and lands rarely offer long-term guaranteed access, unlike park protections and planning which can ensure sustained access and preservation of the culture and traditions associated with the Inuit sled dogs.
Actually, to clear up any misunderstanding the Dog Teamers had permission to be on that land going back to to 2001 when the city introduced the current in-place by law, “By-Law #537 Canadian Inuit Dog and Dog Team By-Law.” And if you’re really curious about the continual use of that area by dog teamers speak to Meeka Mike, she knows history of the dog teamers using that piece of land and the background on the process the city took back in 2001 as she was apart of the consultation process.
Thank you for highlighting the history and background of the dog teamers’ use of that land, particularly with reference to the “By-Law #537 Canadian Inuit Dog and Dog Team By-Law.” However, while By-Law #537 does designate an area for the dog teamers, it’s essential to understand that the zoning of that specific area is in contravention of the allowed use based on zoning regulations.
Furthermore, while they had permission to be their currently, the by-law does not guarantee that space in perpetuity but sets principales and conditions for designated selecting dog team areas. The final decision-making power, however, rests solely with the council. The council must consider all facets of an issue, keeping in mind the broader implications for the entire community not just a single user group.
Given the current uncertainties surrounding the land usage, it would be strategic for the dog team owners to seek more permanent solutions. Approaching Sylvia Grinnell Park or entities like NTI/QIA for lands might provide the dog teamers with a more stable and long-term solution, ensuring that their rich heritage and traditions remain preserved and unhindered.
The Territorial Park is very highly used and publicly funded resource that must ensure universal access. Adding a dog yard to that mix would not only be dumb it would dangerous. Tourists and residents walking their with dogs and small kids don’t mix well with sled dog teams. And while it is true that the area the dogs are in now is also accessible there is no reason for any casual passer-by to be in there without a valid reason and thus the natural buffer.
well safety first in this time and age as well as animals change need to happen, there has recently been attacks from the dogs=Need proper signage ? also i agree they need to be free among people so they will now how to be around everyone instead an aggressive dog. perhaps an upgrade be good and sanitation free?\i also agree they are living it contaminated area that has not been cleaned/Maybe time to hire dog team care taker out in the inland area with proper care taking as they are used for public use maybe we can learn from our Neighbours?
Find somewhere else to put your dogs. The city’s growth, expanding its tax base, and creating more opportunities for Nunavut business is far more important than wasting buildable land on tying dogs up.