Please stop picking on Kuujjuaq

I am writing concerning a very disturbing article about the Kuujjuaq bar in the Dec. 7 issue of Nunatsiaq News, (“Kuujjuaq’s notorious bar told to clean up its act”). Why is it that Jane George has to constantly write negative articles about Kuujjuaq? Why does she not mention the percentage of responsible drinkers who go to the bar on occasion to let off some steam after a hard day or week of work? As for the young people who wait outside the bar, I feel it is the community’s responsibility if parents are too incompetent to educate their kids on the negative impact this behaviour has on our community or to give their kids an alternative late-night destination.

Also, a large percentage of these children’s parents aren’t in the bar drinking. The bottom line is that the adults of Kuujjuaq have to learn to drink responsibly. As a newspaper, you are only adding to the blame-game and not focusing on the real problem – which is the responsibility of our very visible minority of heavy drinkers.

Until they accept their role as responsible adults, we will continue to look for excuses as to why they have drinking problems. I’m surprised that Ms. George did not blame the drinking on the white man. Maybe that excuse is getting old.

In the same article, Ms. George had the audacity to refer to a lesson in history concerning an overused favorite of hers. I am referring to the cheap shot she took at George Peters. I wish Ms. George would take the time to visit with the Peters family when she is in Kuujjuaq next time. I am sure she’ll be surprised at what she finds.

Mr. Peters’ wife is one of the many totally sober, church-going individuals in our community. I’m sure she and her children don’t appreciate constantly reading about something that happened many years ago. Mr. Peters is also one of the few remaining Inuit in our community who spends 60 to 70 per cent of his time on the land making a living by traditional means, depending on the seasons.

Why don’t you pick on some of our other past, present and pending leaders with their own personal problems with drugs and alcohol? Please Jane, lighten up. Maybe I could recommend some medicinal marijuana to relax your writing style.

Happy New Year.

Harvey Mesher