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4 Tuesday June 2 2015 The Northern Journal is an independent newspaper covering news and events in the western Arctic and northern Alberta. 2013 CCNA BLUE RIBBON CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013 C M C A AUDITED The Northern Journal is published weekly by Cascade Publishing Ltd. Printed at Star Press Inc. Wainwright AB. Publisher................................................................................. Don Jaque 867-872-3000 ext.21 donnorj.ca Editor.........................................................................Meagan Wohlberg 867-872-3000 ext.24 newsnorj.ca Reporter....................................................................... Dali Carmichael 867-872-3000 ext.25 reporternorj.ca Comptroller ..................................................... Dixie Penner 867-872-3000 ext.23 dixnorj.ca Advertising.............................. Heather Foubert Hay River 867-874-4106 adsnorj.ca Administration............................................Jeremy Turcotte 867-872-3000 ext.26 adminnorj.ca Production Manager ......................................Sandra Jaque 867-872-3000 ext.22 sandranorj.ca Graphics........................................................Paul Bannister 867-872-3000 ext.27 graphicsnorj.ca Letters to the Editor Policy The Northern Journal welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and include a phone number so the author can be veried. Names will be withheld on request in special circumstances where the reasons are determined to be valid. The Journal reserves the right to edit letters for length libel clarity and taste. Opinions expressed in letters and columns are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. Advertising Deadlines Display ad deadline is Thursday at 400 p.m. Classied ad deadline is Thursday at 500 p.m. Email adsnorj.ca Subscription Rates Prices include GST. 47.25 in Fort Smith 52.50 elsewhere in Canada 105 in the USA overseas 164.30. EDITORIAL COLUMN Truth reconciliation and beyond The Truth and Reconciliation Commis- sion TRC has over the last several years revealed the extent and depth of atrocities committed as part of the colonial subjuga- tion of indigenous peoples in Canada by Eu- ropeans how heinously that was manifest in our country over the last 200 years. Such practices in todays world would be consid- ered criminal. Canadians should rightfully feel shame and remorse for that black period of our history. Generational memories are short so the majority of Canadians who are non-indige- nous naturally view the cultural genocide that residential schools were a part of as some- thing that happened in the past. There is a sense of revulsion but little connection to the modern day. The TRC has dramatically demonstrated that the effects live on but that isnt the worst of it. Similar racist social patterns attitudes and practices continue in our everyday world. That is also the truth. Reconciliation will never happen until that is changed. but in a measured way typically with a view of staying in power rather that righting what is obviously wrong. That approach will never bring about the sea change to attitudes and practices that is needed to x the problems faced by indigenous Canadians. Would either of the two opposition parties be a better alternative The Liberals have at times during the last decade shown a will- ingness to take action on a signicant scale. The NDP appear similarly sympathetic but are untried. Any one may be better than the others but it is likely no government will ever be able to foster the degree of change neces- sary on their own. A majority of Canadians want that change to happen. It is a given that the national de- sire is to ensure all citizens have a good qual- ity of life. First Nations Mtis and Inuit Ca- nadians are generally highly regarded. In fact their respective cultures are revered by many. At the same time there is a feeling of frustration among ordinary Canadians that problems among the native population remain unchanged and unxed a blight on an otherwise notable national character. How best to translate that latent support into positive action What needs to happen is for indigenous Canadians to be given the power and re- sources to take the lead and make it hap- pen. The initiative for positive change has to come from them. No one can change their lot and circum- stances or get rid of the problems they face better than indigenous Canadians them- selves. Nor should anyone else presume to play that role determining what is right and what the outcome should be for them. To do so would simply be a continuation of past colonial practices. It is time for the drums to start beating louder. The Idle No More movement held promise as a catalyst for change but for some reason it petered out. Either it must be rekindled or something has to rise up in its place. What is neededisnotashowofforcewhichwouldonly bring a counter-reaction short-lived possi- bly violent and certainly counterproductive. What is needed is a positive campaign over time where indigenous people act together identify their needs and the solutions and get the massive ball rolling. Invoke that and the majority of Canadians will fall in behind. The government of the day no matter which party empowered and directed by the will of the people will act. Indigenous Canadians must be the lead- ers in shaping their destiny. That is the only way to achieve effective reconciliation and long-term resolution. PhotoGNWT Nine outstanding individuals are welcomed into the NWT Education Hall of Fame at the NWT Legislature on May 27. They are Michel Louis Rabesca who was honoured the with the Ministers choice award front left Ted Blondin Carole Bachand Doris Camsell Reanna Erasmus and Lea Lamoureux. In the back Minister Jackson Lafferty left stands with Bruce Green and Dean MacInnis. Marja Van Nieuwenhuyzen who was awarded for her signicant contribution to excellence in teaching and supporting numeracy was unable to attend the event. Dene Honi Our Greatest Resource By DNEZE NAKEHKO GrandePrairieAlbertahas10000morepeo- plethantheentirepopulationoftheterritoryjust north of them. We couldnt ll Commonwealth StadiumwheretheEdmontonCFLteamplays. But we do have the talent to ll the stadium. Thereissomuchtalentoozingfromeverycor- ner of the North. Olympians Juno Award win- ningmusicianswriterslmmakerssculptors painterslongdistancerunnersmusherstrap- pershidetannersdrummakerscraftersbead- ers shermen farmers and even a SnowKing. From Brendan Green to the amazing four- time Olympian Firth sisters Sharon and Shir- ley the North has been well represented ath- letically throughout the globe. Music from the peoplethatcallthisplacehomeisheardallover the world. Leela Gilday and Tanya Tagaq are powerful performers that proudly represent thenorth.RichardVanCampstoriesturninto booksthatturnintomajormotionpictures.Our ownphotographersandlmmakersarecaptur- ing some of the worlds most stunning images. Homegrownactorsareworkingtocreateanew national narrative. Carving and sculpting cre- ationsaresoughttheworldover.Paintershave captured the spirit of the people the land and water in their works. Northern dog sled teams arealwaysmentionedinthetopsoftheirelds. Caribou Legs runs all over for the Peel. Tradi- tionally harvested animals are valued for food but also for the creation of tools and clothes. Beaded fur trimmed mitts or moccasins rich with the smell of smoked moosehide. Dene drum makers and drum singers and dancers. And thats not even close to the entirety of our populations talent. If this much talent was coming from a place thesizeofGrandePrairiepeoplewouldprobably marvel that so much creativity could originate from such a small city. Our population base is evensmallerbutislledwithsomuchtoshare. The land is abundant in natural resources from major hydrocarbon deposits to minerals as valuable as gold and diamonds. But the real and true wealth is how the land and water in- spire the people to great heights. Its amazing because these people are our friends family neighbourscoworkersandformerclassmates. We live in proximity to some amazing people that reect the beauty power and vulnerabil- ity of the land and water. The talent of the people that call this place homeisourgreatestandmostvaluableresource. Dneze Nakehko is Denesuline and De- hcho Dene from Denendeh. Although Stephen Harper took a big step and apologized to all indigenous Canadians for what had happened to them in the colo- nial past - a signicant symbolic act by the prime minister of Canada - his government continues to maintain a racist approach to the extraordinary needs that stem from that legacy. Inadequate funding for the unique requirements of education of indigenous Canadians and the poor state of reserves and other measures to correct the colonial wrongs are obviously not priorities of the government. Harpers refusal to recognize that missing and murdered indigenous women is a social problem as much as it is a police matter is but the most obvious ex- ample that racist attitudes continue even at the highest levels. Whatmusthappentobringabouttheneeded changes that would x this massive problem A change in government is essential. When faced with the need to act on something that is not on their primary agenda the Harper Conservatives do respond to public pressure Indigenous Canadians must be the leaders in shaping their destiny. That is the only way to achieve effective reconciliation and long-term resolution.