The year in review in Nunavik: October — December

October

— At the Kativik Regional Development Corporation’s annual general meeting, directors give representatives from Quebec’s ministry of transport and regional development an earful about how the pace of improvements to Nunavik’s transportation network is too slow.

— Although national fire prevention week officially takes place in early October, Nunavik concentrates its regional fire prevention activities during the week of October 25. As part of the fire prevention week’s events, fire brigades in every community inspect homes for fire hazards. They also take this opportunity to tell residents more about the new and improved organization of their fire departments.

November

— When Nunavimmiut go to the municipal polls on November 3, they manage to wrest some surprises out of the electoral process. In Inukjuak, incumbent mayor Siasi Smiler holds her breath as the municipal secretary-treasurer readies to pull a name from a box and break a tie in the election for the mayoralty. Smiler and Shaomik Inukpuk both receive 201 votes, and, according to the Kativik Act, the tie, in Smiler’s favour, is decided by the draw of one of two names from a box. In Kangiqsujuaq, meanwhile, the election produces a new mayor, the youngest in Nunavik. Charlie Alaku, 24, wins a surprising victory over Kangiqsujuaq’s long-time mayor, Charlie Arngak. Alaku receives 107 votes, beating Arngak’s tally of 73.

— It’s official: Montreal will host the 4th World Festival of Traditional Sports and Games in 2004. The first traditional games festival was held in 1992, featuring such sports and games as Japanese Sumo wrestling, boomerang throwing from Australia and Canadian lacrosse. Some 50 countries are expected to send delegations to the 2000 edition of the games in Hannover, Germany.

— On November 5, a landmark deal is signed in Montreal that breathes new life into the self-government process in Nunavik — Makivik Corporation President Pita Aatami, Quebec Native Affairs Minister Guy Chevrette, and Indian Affairs Minister Bob Nault sign the Nunavik Political Accord. At the signing ceremony, Nault speaks about building an “economy for the future” and setting up structures that would enable Nunavimmiut to get off welfare and be more “successful.” Quebec’s native affairs minister, Guy Chevrette, terms the accord an “important step” and a “historic move,” marking the harmonious relationship between Inuit and Quebec.

— Aspiring athletes from 13 communities participate in regional trials to see who will make up the first team Nunavik has sent for 24 years to compete at the Arctic Winter Games. At the regional trials, held Nov. 12 to 14 in Salluit, one observer notes that there is already a “good level of competition” among the 90 participants present. Those three full days of competition will lead to the selection of 35 team members and alternates.

— The children and youth of Kuujjuaq have a terrific time, celebrating a sober and healthy lifestyle with a parade through the town, games and two rock concerts. Local residents and businesses chip in their time and resources to make these events a success for the kids. In recognition of National Addictions Awareness Week, the theme of Friday’s concert is “sobriety,” while Saturday’s concert caps off a day of activities to honour youth and children on National Children’s Day.

— Major General Maurice Baril, chief of the defense staff and head of the Canadian Forces, honours the 2nd Canadian Rangers Patrol Group for their selfless dedication and professionalism in the aftermath of the avalanche. Gen. Baril awards the Nunavik Rangers a special unit commendation for their outstanding efforts.

— The choice of the eight commissioners who will make recommendations on a new form of government for Nunavik is announced. The commission will spend the next eight months developing recommendations on the new government’s structure, operations and powers before submitting its report. It will be co-chaired by Harry Tulugak and André Binette. The other members of the commission include Johnny N. Adams, Diane Guimond, Gérard Duhaime, Annie May Popert, Marc-Adelard Tremblay, and Jules Dufour.

— The Kativik Regional Government has decided to provide insurance to Nunavik’s Canadian Rangers brigades so they’ll be covered on search and rescue missions. With the new insurance scheme, Rangers will fall under the KRG’s policy. In the event of injury or death, Rangers or their families will receive up to $100,000 of coverage or disability benefits.

— The recent municipal elections in Nunavik communities means that the KRG’s council has acquired some new faces. The KRG executive now includes as new members: Kuujjuaq Mayor Michael Gordon, Puvirnituq Councillor Josie E. Tullaugak, and Mary Palliser from Inukjuak as vice-chairman. Palliser, Tullaugaq and executive member Maggie Emudluk from Kangiqsualujjuaq will represent the KRG on the newly formed Kativik Housing Bureau. Regional councillor Adamie Ainalik from Ivujivik will sit on the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, replacing Jean Dupuis in this capacity, while Charlie Tukkiapik from Quartaq joins the board of the Kativik Regional School Board.

December

— Nunavik’s water treatment and waste disposal methods work dismally. That’s the message that Kativik Regional Government chairman Johnny Adams delivers to Quebec’s Commission on Water Management at its hearings in Montreal.

— Adams says not enough thought and money has been invested into developing efficient and clean water management systems for Nunavik. The commission is looking into Quebec’s policy on water, including the uses of water, water management, the health of rivers, sources of pollution and priorities for future action. Adams describes communities in Nunavik where people have to constantly boil drinking water and dump their sewage directly on the land.

— Makivik Corporation decides to make this year’s Christmas brighter for Nunavimmiut by investing more than $1 million on goods and travel for beneficiaries. Families in need will receive vouchers that can be exchanged at local stores for food or toys during the holiday season. This new “Christmas basket” program will cost $250,000, with the Kativik Regional Government contributing $25,000 of the total. Every eligible beneficiary in Nunavik has also received a voucher, valid for up to two years for travel on Air Inuit within Nunavik at 25 per cent of the usual ticket cost.

— In Inukjuak Barry Gunn is sentenced to four years in prison on account of his sexual activities with children under 14 years. Gunn’s pre-sentencing report tabled in Inukjuak says Gunn has “pedophilic tendencies.”

— On Dec. 1 Yvan Létourneau, who heads Quebec’s housing office in Kuujjuaraapik, la Société immobilière du Québec, receives a conditional probation and a $500 fine for killing a dog. In August, he stabbed the dog, Capitaine, who belonged to his neighbour, in a fit of drunken anger. “I’m not satisfied,” the furious dog owner told Nunatsiaq News. “There was no justice.”