Taloyoak resident criticizes hamlet announcement calling parents ‘stupid’
Former MLA Jeannie Ugyuk says underage ATV use out of hand, but ‘inappropriate’ to insult families
People in Taloyoak have spoken out about an ‘inappropriate’ letter to the public that insults people while advocating for ATV safety. (File photo)
A Taloyoak resident says an insult-laden public service announcement from the hamlet’s senior administrative officer about ATV safety is demeaning and disrespectful towards the people it’s intended to address.
The announcement, dated Sept. 4, raises concerns about underaged drivers speeding through the hamlet late at night but includes choice words for the parents of these youth.
“If the parents of these kids are too stupid to know you don’t toss the keys to an expensive motorized vehicle, along with a tank of gas, and then let them sleep all day, maybe the rest of us in the community shouldn’t be equally stupid,” said Janice Anderson in the public service announcement printed on official Hamlet of Taloyoak letterhead.
Taloyoak senior administrative officer Janice Anderson sent out a public service announcement Sept. 4 about ATV safety. The letter included strong language that some in the hamlet say they take issue with. (Facebook photo)
In the letter, which was shared by several residents on Facebook last week, Anderson expressed concern that injury or loss of life is likely if ATV safety does not improve in the community.
Anderson also suggested in the letter that neighbours report parents of ATV riders to the hamlet office.
“Maybe the RCMP and Child and Family Services can educate these negligent parents,” she said.
Anderson concluded in the letter that “it’s all about respect.”
Jeannie Ugyuk, a former social worker, MLA and Taloyoak hamlet councillor agreed that the use of ATVs late into the night has been “out of hand” recently, but cautioned antagonistic language builds walls instead of bridges. She called the letter demeaning and disrespectful.
“It’s very inappropriate how she called parents stupid,” said Ugyuk. “There’s a better way to address community concerns.”
Anderson declined to comment when contacted by Nunatsiaq News, referring questions to Mayor Lenny Panigayak. Panigayak did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Taloyoak RCMP have not issued any citations to ATV drivers in recent months but have given verbal warnings “a few times” for speeding, Cpl. Eric O’Brien told Nunatsiaq News.
Two people were arrested for impaired operation of ATVs this past summer, he said. O’Brien also offered a few road safety tips.
“Slow down, keep your ATV/snowmobiles maintained — such as lights, brakes and tire treads — and always drive with a clear and sober mind while wearing a helmet,” he said.
The issue of ATV safety is not an issue unique to Taloyoak.
City of Iqaluit officials have also sent out public service announcements — most recently in April — to remind drivers of the rules of the road.
“The City of Iqaluit municipal enforcement department recognizes that these vehicles are a fun and enjoyable way to use the land and that they form an important part of Inuit culture,” the announcement said.
“However, if these vehicles are not used responsibly, they can pose a significant safety hazard.”
Approximately 1,000 kilometres to the northwest, in Kugaaruk, RCMP gave residents in that community a message about ATV safety this summer after reports of underage drivers and speeding ATVs.
Cpl. Devon Peters issued a public service announcement on June 18 encouraging everybody in Kugaaruk to get involved in keeping the hamlet safe.
“We must all do our part as a community to ensure the safety of these roads and reduce the risk of people getting hurt,” he said, followed by reminders of the bylaws surrounding ATV use.
Although Peters said he couldn’t speak to whether his message was effective in deterring underaged drivers, he said he believes his approach did have some effect.
“We found that more people were having those conversations with their friends, families and neighbours, as well as police,” Peters said.
“In addition, I am aware of a few occasions where concerned parents also took it upon themselves to have discussions with children that they witnessed riding ATVs.”
Well, she was right at least…
Unless you actually live here, please don’t comment.
Don’t assume you know better.
Don’t be a smartass.
Don’t judge when you don’t know
Taloyoak Nunavut is Beautiful ✌️
Taloyoak may be beautiful. But parents should not let their young kids rip around on hondas and skidoos. A lot of objection to the SAO’s letter is the notion that she’s calling everybody in Taloyoak stupid. She’s not. She’s saying that parents that let their young kids rip around on hondas all hours of the night are stupid. And she’s not wrong.
You missed the part where she used accepting the Jordan’s Principal money to make residents fear her. Money that Inuit are entitled to, regardless of use of an ATV, age or whatever they do in the community, at whatever times. WHO CARES. It’s absolutely vile what she said in that letter, she should resign and leave the community.. She has no respect, and HELLO .. It’s all about respect!?! ha.
Well she must be doing something right cause if not council would have sent her packing a long time ago
Maybe a LITTLE harsh but!! Is she wrong??
No, she isn’t wrong. Parents are responsible for their children; if their children are breaking the law, they should be fined.
In Kugluktuk, 90% of adult ATV operators drive without a helmet. Want to be stupid and possibly injure or kill yourself? Be my guest.
However, those same irresponsible (stupid?) parents carry children (as many as 4 or five) (again with no protection) on those same ATVs without consequence while bu-law waves as he drives by.
If I say something to them, I am told to “f” off. So now, they don’t care if their children are unsafe in their custody, but they are teaching the children it is okay to be a pottymouth to others.
Stupid people, Maybe not so harsh, perhaps should be more honest.
Come on Hamlet Councils, you make by-laws, hire by-law officers but don’t enforce your by-laws.
Are the parents and the Councils waiting for a child to be killed??
Well said, Murph. Well said indeed, sir.
wow..she can vote for a Donald trump …
where are the by-law officers and RCMP? she’s blaming parents, but where is law enforcement? why are they not out and about putting a stop to this?
Where are the parents?
No discipline?
Wait….. they’ll blame residential school until someone gets hurt.
SOB stories galore.😂😭
And do what really? give out fines? lecture? By-law/RCMP are probably doing that already but for what? The fines will never be paid, nothing will change unless someone gets killed and if bylaw/rcmp actually apply the law to the issue, then they will be called out as “colonizers”. I think that SAO is at her wit’s end, Taloyoak is small, I am sure those parents or kids have heard way worse name calling towards them. They now have their feelings”hurt”? give me a break, you/your kids are disturbing the peace and endangering the lives. grow up and don’t be stupid!
In most places in Canada, matters related to the supervision of children and motor vehicle safety are not settled by name calling.
If you let your kids stay out all night in other parts of Canada, local social services will undoubtedly intervene. A child in that situation might even be apprehended into care.
If you have unlicensed and un-helmeted kids operating uninsured and un-plated ATVs in other parts of Canada, law enforcement gets involved. Vehicles are seized and impounded, and people get ticketed or charged.
But not in Nunavut. Somehow, the myth that it is socially acceptable for Inuit children to be allowed to do whatever they want whenever they want, and anyone interfering in this is attacking Inuit culture prevails over common sense.
There is an easy fix to having an obviously frustrated SAO blow off steam in a public letter.
Nunavut communities, leaders, parents need use this thing called our real collective memory (and not wishful thinking) to acknowledge that yes, indeed in our culture, children do have some boundaries, and parents (and extended family, and every adult) do have responsibility and authority to care and supervise children.
Then all you have to do then is actually apply the laws we have. Nobody gets called stupid. Solved.
I can think of some colorful labels for parents letting children operate ATV.🤣😈 +&_#@!!!
Truth hurts! Maybe more plain language like this leads to better results.
Wait.
The parents are special cause they’re Inuit and have diplomatic immunity and the criminal code does not apply in Nunavut. Hence….no criminal records checks in Nunavut.
Y’know…. cause they’re special and criminal code of Canada does not apply.🥱😈
Your comment can be defined as sarcasm at best. I know lots of responsible caring Inuit here in Kugluktuk.
It is the few irresponsible parents we are referring to, who ultimately will scream when a child gets badly injured or killed. I don’t care about the adults. If they make a conscious decision to break the law, they ultimately will face the consequences,
But why put the children at risk?
You don’t care about the adult that loaded up 5 kids on the “Honda” (even though it’s a Yamaha) being unsafe? What about the 5 kids with them.
I swear to god, nobody down south will believe the ridiculous stuff we tell them that happens in this forgotten territory.
People with children need to start actually being a parent to those children. Take an interest.
It’s the wild wild west!!
Kudos for most apt comment
I support the letter.
No she isn’t wrong in stating that parents are stupid. Don’t be WOKE. Negligent parents should be told that they are stupid for leaving their expensive ATV HONDA keys where underage children can swipe them and go joyriding throughout the night. This happens quite often also in the Nunavik communities. At times I see 5 to 9 friends or family members on one ATV HONDA. We see juveniles under the age of 12 years of age driving these powerful ATV HONDA’S and the uncaring parents allow their underage children operate these machines. At times I see parents who are to intoxicated to operate their ATV HONDA so they have their 8, 9, 10 or 11 year old child operate the machine to take them home or to another persons house to continue partying. There has been a couple of deaths of underage children that have died due to operating these machines but the non caring parent(s) just laugh it off and allow their children to drive. They believe they are entitled to do what they want to do when they want to do it without having to deal with the consequences. Shameful towards the Inuit Parents. Not all but some.
Why aren’t more leaders speaking up about this? MLA’s MP’s Mayor’s? Too busy complaining about food being too expensive and stuff like that but don’t seem to care about lack of enforcement in their communities
Man , I couldn’t imagine sharing that .. like she must have had a bad day lmao .
” ahh my finest work ” * clicks print *
She’s right but her choice of words is demeaning and inappropriate for someone who’s working for the community. Also not everyone’s is a drunk or unable to keep their child under control.
The people who do their best to be good law abiding citizens get dragged into a melting pot and labeled “unfit” is not right.
As always, it’s just the same old people who stir up trouble and the whole town gets blamed.
And JP doesn’t have anything to do with it too.
“If the parents of these kids are too stupid to know you don’t toss the keys to an expensive motorized vehicle, along with a tank of gas, and then let them sleep all day, maybe the rest of us in the community shouldn’t be equally stupid,” said Janice Anderson in the public service announcement printed on official Hamlet of Taloyoak letterhead.”
Interesting message but rotten syntax. I wonder if the SAO wrote it or whether it was dictated to her.
It’s got to the point that all criticism, however well founded, is deemed racist. Respect has to be earned.
Right to self determinisation
Social & economic challenges which inuit face while rcst who are ignorant, discriminating exploitation by powerful authorities when inuit leaders use the social media to rally support for rcst comments like these. Support by exposing the rcst poor treatment of inuit people in they’re own land, sadly still so difficult challenge amongst our own inuit. Behaviors towards us remain heavily by strtyps entrenched mentality by (us vs them) inadequate or inaccurate education caused by colonialism. Inuit communities face innumerable challenges in accessing, extracting or securing financial and human resources, respectively often resulting on poverty! Rcst ideology, social hyarchy which inuit are DENIED RESOURCES! While DOMINANCE a slap on the hand! Power & authority Hindering Resource opportunities to be self determined, to be hostile to inuit families
This post may have an important message, but it is so incoherent and poorly written that I couldn’t say.
***inuit leaders try** & use the social media
The classic “we know it’s wrong don’t remind us” logic that pervades this territory. TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY.
I think it’s bad here in Nunavut. Hamlet workers charges their community citizens, when asking for help from front desk ladies, they make faces and asks what do you want and making that face, it’s no good. No use workers
I lived in Nunavut for over two decades, and knew from the get go that traffic laws were never enforced or regulated. I remember one Inuk colleague wondering why there were speed limits on the roads. I responded for safety reasons. I gradually saw southerners allowing their six year olds to drive ATVs, and ignore any existing laws. The problem is that you have small communities where no one wants to be the heavy or the enforcers. Everyone is related to each other. (It’s the same at the schools too). And every years, we’d have another traffic fatality or injury from either DUI or some other reason and we’d all cry and mourn but nothing would change. I wouldn’t have used “stupid” but ignorant or negligent. Nunavut, you can do better!
Well said. And you can add reporting of bootleggers and dealers and the location of murders and rapists to the list of reasons for those who don’t want to be the heavys/enforcers. It’s so sad.
Friends, if you want to help your community, you must support the RCMP. You have to report these offenders. The police need all the information they can get to lay charges and successfully obtain a judgment. The RCMP needs your support. Without it, our children have no hope.
Always have a hard time reading Nunatsiaq comments. Always sounds like humans aren’t human beings anymore and it’s easier to spread hate and comments said quicker about unknowledgable things
This is a continued problem for Nunavut, getting someone like her leading a hamlet, government when they could never get the same job from where they come from.
It is a real issue especially in our government.
I am not shocked anymore but it is still very disappointing, I do hope the councillors will put her in her place or send her packing.
CAN”T FIX STUPID!