Wednesday 29 February 2012

The Makimaniq Plan: A Shared Approach to Poverty Reduction - Making democracy work: could Nunavut take the lead? iPolitics Insight

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/02/29/don-lenihan-making-democracy-work-could-nunavut-take-the-lead/
[excerpt]
The Makimaniq Plan: A Shared Approach to Poverty Reduction is the result of a remarkable, year-long process that engaged some 800 of Nunavut's 33,000 people, across the territory. In Monday's column, we saw how, for Inuit, poverty reduction requires healing through empowerment.

The Makimaniq Plan recognizes that this, in turn, requires real community engagement. It is at the community level that individuals and families are most likely to mobilize in ways that will begin to rebuild self-reliance and a sense of ownership of the issues.

The Plan calls for the creation of a new kind of collaborative organization to lead community engagement: the Nunavut Roundtable on Poverty Reduction. Members will include the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) — the official steward of Inuit interests in the territory — communities, community organizations and businesses.

If this doesn't sound especially innovative, here is the show-stopper: Premier Eva Aariak has promised that "this Government will introduce legislation for the implementation of the long-term Poverty Reduction Action Plan with the collaboration of our partners." (my emphasis)

In other words, the legislation appears to aim at ensuring government's participation in the Roundtable will be as a full and genuine partner.


Radio for a New Nation

Radio for a New Nation
Posted on Friday, January 13, 2012
[excerpt]
For decades, radio waves have been the primary vehicle to disseminate information in Sudan, as in many places where literacy is low, electricity is inconsistent or uneven, and media options are few. But until eight years ago, most people in South Sudan did not have access to radio or any type of independent media.

n 2003, when Sudan was still embroiled in civil war, Sudan Radio Service, the country's first independent broadcaster of news and information, was launched with USAID assistance. In the early days, broadcasts took place on shortwave from Nairobi for just one hour per day.

Since then, the Agency's support for the platform has helped educate and inform millions of people. In addition to Sudan Radio Service, USAID also supported the establishment of six community radio stations between 2005 and 2011 in southern Sudan and in northern Sudan's Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states. The Agency also supplied over 200,000 solar and crank-powered radios throughout the south and the Three Areas (Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan, and Abyei), increasing access to the broadcasts.

When the 22-year civil war ended with the landmark Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, radio was the most efficient and effective way to inform citizens about the agreement and their rights and responsibilities under it. These rights and responsibilities included participating in a nationwide census, voting in nationwide elections in 2010—the first voting opportunity for many Sudanese—and the referendum on self-determination for southern Sudan, which led to the creation of the new nation of the Republic of South Sudan in July 2011.

"USAID recognized that it was important to support radio that provided an independent source of reliable information in Sudan, to support the peace process and help mitigate conflicts that could undermine the CPA," said Donna Kerner, a USAID democracy specialist who helped establish the community radio network in South Sudan in the years before the country's independence. "Community radio is particularly important in ethnically diverse, multilingual areas that are vulnerable to conflict to provide an accessible community forum for diverse views," she added.

Particularly in remote areas of South Sudan outside the capital of Juba, radio is often the only source of information available. Due to the legacy of war, there is a lack of electricity except in a few major towns, a dearth of print media, exceedingly low rates of Internet access, and high levels of illiteracy. Approximately 73 percent of South Sudanese adults cannot read.

http://www.internews.org/our-stories/press/radio-new-nation

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Second biennial #NWT Legislative Assembly Elders #Parliament #NWTleg

The 2nd biennial Legislative Assembly Elders Parliament
is fast approaching – it is scheduled for May 7 to 11.
This event is open to anyone 50+ years of age, and we need people to apply to act as the Member for your riding during that week. Please see the info attached, or contact your riding office if you are interested, prior to March 9th. We will then get you the necessary forms etc. You can also fill out an application online from the Assembly website under 'Elders Parliament"
http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/_live/pages/wpPages/eldersparliament.aspx
When do I apply?
Apply Now!  Applications will be accepted until March 9, 2012.
http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/content/11-08-04%20Application%20form%202012-jf.pdf
How do I apply?
Contact the Public Affairs office at 1-800-661-0784 or email jessica_fournier@gov.nt.c

Memo to the Prime Minister: Overcoming Poverty in ... Nunavut

Posted on Mon, Feb 27, 2012, 5:02 am by Don Lenihan
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2012/02/27/don-lenihan-memo-to-the-prime-minister-overcoming-poverty-in-nunavut/
[excerpt]

Last Monday I was already in Iqaluit when I heard that Prime Minister Harper was also planning a visit. Unfortunately, he arrived the day after I left. Too bad. There was much I wanted to tell him.

I wanted to say that something is happening in Nunavut — something that should make us all think long and hard about government as we know it. Alas, I have missed Mr. Harper, so instead I've decided to use this series of columns to talk about what I have seen and heard in Nunavut over this last year, and what those of us down south can learn from it.

[...]

Premier Eva Aariak has staked her government's credibility on turning this around. A major step was the Poverty Reduction Process,

http://www.makiliqta.ca/

a year-long initiative that directly engaged some 800 people in 22 communities across the territory.

This was much more than a government "consultation." It engaged communities in a searching discussion of how poverty is affecting their families, friends, neighborhoods and workplaces, and how they can work together to solve this.

As I watched the process unfold, frankly, I was not prepared for what I heard. Many Inuit and Inuit leaders feel their people have become too dependent on government and that this has to change. They have lost their traditional sense of self-reliance and must get it back.

There is more. In the community dialogues, this theme of empowerment and self-reliance often shifted seamlessly into a second theme: healing. Participants felt that to overcome poverty, first the people — as individuals, families and communities — must feel healthy, strong and well.

Yet issues around mental health, self-esteem, and the loss of personal and cultural identity, are everywhere. They strain relationships, undermine efforts at education and personal development, discourage employment, and weaken the ability to engage in community life.

[...]

Saturday 25 February 2012

AGM: John Howard Society of the NWT in Yellowknife

John Howard Society of the NWT
WHAT: Annual General Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 @ 5:30 p.m
WHERE: 4901-48 Street (Basement of the Somba Ke Dental building)
More info?
Lydia Bardak, Executive Director
867.920.4276
lydia_jhsnwt@theedge.ca

Don't forget to bring your $1.00 membership fee

-----

John Howard Society of The Northwest Territories 2010-2011 Audit

…….

Bylaws John Howard Society of The Northwest Territories

Thursday 23 February 2012

In mining, NWT Nunavut Quebec Manitoba, BC & Alberta more corrupt than Botswana, Chile: study

Most of Canada is more corrupt than Botswana and Chile when it comes to mining, according to a survey of mining companies worldwide.

[excerpt]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/most-of-canada-seen-more-corrupt-than-botswana-chile-in-mining-survey/article2348052/

The Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta – which represent almost three-fourths of Canada's land area – were judged to have greater corruption than the African and South American countries, the survey by the Fraser Institute showed. Saskatchewan was seen as Canada's least corrupt region.

http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/mining-survey-2011-2012.pdf 

Still, 20 per cent of respondents rated corruption in the Northwest Territories as being a "mild deterrent" to mining exploration, a "strong deterrent," or "would not pursue investment due to this factor." That compares with 15 per cent of responses about Nunavut, 11 per cent regarding Quebec, and 100 per cent for India.

Sweden, Norway and Finland were considered the least-corrupt countries.

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Feds Fund Yellowknife's Northern Arts and Cultural Centre #YZF #NWT

Feds Fund Yellowknife's Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
 
 YELLOWKNIFE, February 21, 2012 – Audiences across the Northwest Territories  will be able to enjoy professional performances in music, dance and  theatre, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. 
 
With this funding, the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) will expand its programming between April 2012 and March 2014. As a result, audiences in the communities of Yellowknife, Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Inuvik and Hay River will be able to attend performances by Canadian and international  artists. The NACC will also create opportunities for performing artists to get public exposure and further develop their professional careers. In addition, the NACC will present its Storytelling Festival in May and June of 2012 and 2013, expanding it to include events in eight communities in the Northwest Territories.

"Arts presenters contribute to our quality of life and the economic health of our country by introducing a variety of professional artists to  Canadians," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The investment announced today will ensure that these artistic experiences are accessible and available for all to enjoy."
 
 "We are pleased to receive news of this support from the Government of Canada," said Ben Nind, Executive and Artistic Director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre. "The Centre has worked very hard over the last seven years in developing the support mechanisms in all regions of the Northwest Territories to host seasonal presentations and community and school workshops. The funding from the Government, in conjunction with our other sponsors and funders, is critical in supporting this cultural initiative."
 
 For over 27 years, the NACC has served as a venue and supporting agency for northern, national and international artists. From educational workshops to performing artist mentorships, NACC offers a variety of programs in communities throughout the Northwest Territories.
 
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $370,000 ($180,000 in 2012–2013 and $190,000 in 2013–2014) through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional  performances, and other artistic experiences.
 
 Roxanne Carrière
 Senior Communications Advisor | Conseillère principale en communications
 Communications & Executive Services | Communications et services exécutifs
 Prairies and Northern Region | Région des Prairies et du Nord
 Department of Canadian Heritage | Ministère du Patrimoine canadien
 Box 2160 | C.P. 2160
 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3R5
 roxanne.carriere@pch.gc.ca
 Telephone | Téléphone 204-984-8700
 Facsimile | Télécopieur 204-984-6996
 Teletypewriter (toll free): 1-888-997-3123 | Téléimprimeur (sans frais)
 1-888-997-3123
 Cellular | Céllulaire 204-228-8866
 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada

Saturday 11 February 2012

Call for Submissions: Margaret Mead Film Festival



Margaret Mead Film Festival call for submissions is NOW OPEN.
Go to web site for details
http://www.amnh.org/programs/mead/submit/

2012 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS THE MARGARET MEAD FILM FESTIVAL

The Margaret Mead Film Festival is held each November at the American Museum of Natural History.  The Mead Festival was founded in honor of pioneering anthropologist Margaret Mead, one of the first anthropologists to recognize the significance of film for fieldwork. With Mead's innovative spirit in mind the Festival screens documentaries, experimental films, animation, and hybrid works that increase our understanding of the complexity and diversity of the peoples and cultures that populate our planet.

In addition to our general screenings the Mead programs a series of curated side bars (topics to be announced),  exhibits installation artworks, and celebrates the Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award nominees.

The Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award recognizes documentary filmmakers who embody the spirit, energy, and innovation demonstrated by Margaret Mead in her research, fieldwork, films, and writings. The award is given to a filmmaker whose feature documentary offers a new perspective on a culture or community remote from the majority of our audiences' experience as well as displays artistic excellence and originality in storytelling technique. Films selected for the Margaret Mead Film Festival that are U.S., North American, or World Premieres are eligible for the Award. The award winner is selected by a jury of industry professionals. The 2011 jury was comprised of Darren Aronofsky (director), Liz Garbus (documentarian), Karen Cooper (director of Film Forum, NY), and Stanley Nelson (documentarian). This award has a cash prize.

2012 dates: November 15-18 at the American Museum of Natural History

Please look at our on line application for details about how to submit: http://www.amnh.org/programs/mead/submit/

Submit your film today.

Questions? Meadfest@amnh.org

Call for Submission / Klondike Institute of Art & Culture / 2013 ODD Gallery Exhibitions / Dawson City, YK

Call for Submission / Klondike Institute of Art & Culture / 2013 ODD Gallery Exhibitions / Dawson City, YK / Deadline Date:  Sunday, April 1, 2012

We invite professional artists and curators of all experience to submit proposals for exhibitions of contemporary visual art. The ODD Gallery is housed in the main Klondike Institute of Art & Culture building. We are accepting proposals for general exhibitions in 2013 as well as proposals towards our yearly thematic project The Natural & The Manufactured. The ODD Gallery supports CARFAC-recommended exhibition and artist talk fee rates, and offers shipping support. Please visit

Thursday 9 February 2012

The franco-ténoise community (The NWT Francophone community)

The franco-ténoise community

From a cached copy of the original page It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 2 Feb 2012 06:25:13 GMT

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:klFsciORCFkJ:www.federation-franco-tenoise.com/index.cfm%3FVoir%3Dsections%26Id%3D15515%26M%3D1089%26Repertoire_No%3D2137985958+french+community+radio+yellowknife&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&client=firefox-a


The concept of francophony was only born in the Northwest Territories in the early 80s, led to the adoption by the Government of Canada's Constitution Act. The joyful meetings of expatriate French-Canadian from Quebec, New Brunswick, or Ontario, which prevailed previously around a kitchen table or on a beach in Yellowknife, the club held more cultural than the representative association.

Indeed, everything changes with the advent of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and in particular Articles 16, 20, and 23. Some people are then aware of the rights conferred on them, and begin a process of affirmation of identity. In spring 1984 the Government of Canada, through its Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Jean Chrétien, tabled in the House of Commons, Bill C-26 will make bilingual Territories Northwest remedial measure of discriminative official languages Act of 1969, which excludes the Yukon and the NWT from its application. The Government of the NWT vigorously opposed its adoption, citing the presence of both history and a clear majority of the different indigenous groups. The federal government makes its arguments, withdrew his bill after second reading, while the GNWT adopts, June 28, 1984, an Official Languages Act, which recognizes eight, as we have seen. An agreement was signed that day between the two governments: the territory will provide services in French to the condition that the federal government meet the cost (unlimited)and funds community development of indigenous groups.

During the next 15 years, 30 million will be devoted to French, and 53 million indigenous groups. In March 1999 a Forum on the French in the NWT held under the auspices of the FFT, demonstrates the lack of services in French and concluded that the bad faith of both governments. A year later, the Federation, the Aquilon and five other claimants sue the government of the NWT. Because it does not apply its own law on official languages, and the Government of Canada has not fulfilled its Constitution obligations with regard to the Franco-NWT. They are supported by the Federal Commissioner of Official Languages and the AFY. At the beginning of 2003, the judicial stalled still, government lawyers skilfully employing a variety of legal tricks to delay the time of the hearing of the facts and delay the issuance of a decision that they fear.

With the advent in 1988, and under the leadership of the Northwest Territories' Francophone Federation, the community sector is widening, and now includes, in addition to Yellowknife, Baffin Island (Iqaluit), the Mackenzie Delta (Inuvik) the south of Great Slave Lake (Hay River and Fort Smith). Initially, these local associations are created for one purpose: to obtain the signal of Radio-Canada. Gradually, however, the cultural dimension will expand and include in the 1990'sthe field education.

A tough battle indeed committed to Yellowknife in 1988: French-speaking parents require the establishment of an education program in French as the first language. The government opposes the dynamism of the immersion program, already in place. Parents create an association, and bringing a legal action with the support of the FFT. A program was created in June 1989 and September nine children enrolled in a crowded classroom located in an English language school. A few months later, portable houses (rented by the Government of Canada) are available to them. However, being components of the school uniform, they are located in the parking lot of the school Sissons. It was not until September 1999 for the 70 students of the École Allain St-Cyr moved in a separate building, inaugurated in February. On May 13, 1999, the school board (advisory) filed a second petition for creation of a francophone school board and will be effective November 6, 2000.

In summer 2001, the school board of HayRiver, the French language enhancement program was initiated in September 1997 following the Education Summit in French in the NWT. Organized by the Federation in November 1996. The program first-language education finally opened a year later. A school uniform will be launched in September 2001, at the same school of English, but will move in September 2002 in four mobile homes, those very people who sheltered the students and teachers of the École Allain St-Cyr for ten years.

On 1 April 1999, the partition of the Northwest Territories amputates the associative network of its two members in Iqaluit, a third of his community, and 45% of the assets of the FFT. At the same time, it initiates the development of the community of Inuvik, located beyond the Arctic Circle, and so far virtually isolated from the community concentrated around the Great Slave Lake. The local association will be born (or reborn) in April 2000.

The perception that Aboriginal people have of the Francophone community is characterized by the bitterness of course (the suppression of native culture in colleges and convents run by religious francophone (left traces that color relations between individuals), but also by the recognition of a caring partner status, rather than a rival or an oppressor.

Three examples will demonstrate this concept:

  • Dene them call themselves "Dene wa" (real people), they call white people "Mola" (white people), but they describe the Franco-NWT of "Mola wa" (real white people) [dixit Fibbie Tatti, current languages Commissioner of the NWT.]
  • Aboriginal leaders make spontaneous tribute to the French Canadians for fighting for 240 years against the policies of cultural genocide to a Canadian government-controlled English-speaking ethnic group of Orangist spirit, and do not hesitate to draw on their courage and their success in turn claim the preservation of their culture;
  • you should have seen how eagerly and joy Aboriginal artists in 1999 responded to the call of the Federation, who invited them to join Armand Vaillancourt and Chris Ishoj to create an outdoor sculpture now called "Carrefour culturel de Yellowknife, "which evokes traditions and reflects dramatically the harmonious partnership of our respective cultures in the Northern Development.

The balance sheet

  • an associative culture deeply rooted in the Francophone community;
  • an exceptional political credibility and administrative, as evidenced by the smooth process of self-management of Canada-community agreements and the Community Development Programme and cultural development;
  • a federation whose mission is to defend the rights of the community and promote the interests;
  • a registered charity: The franco-ténoise foundation;
  • Three companies (Boréal Consultants, Azimut and Communications Consortium Dunore Co.) with a development;
  • a weekly newspaper L'Aquilon;
  • a home business located in Yellowknife and property of the FFT: the Maison Laurent-Leroux;
  • four cultural associations (Inuvik, Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife);
  • a local association of Francophone parents in Yellowknife, the Association of eligible parents;
  • cultural programs reflecting the needs of the franco-ténois;
  • a community radio station in Yellowknife, which opened September 14, 2001: Taiga CIVR Radio;
  • a school uniform (École Allain St-Cyr) in Yellowknife;
  • another school uniform (School of Boreal Hay River) in Hay River;
  • a territorial school board;
  • French language program in Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife;
  • a Youth Coordinating Committee;
  • Yellowknife Day Care, The Daycare Plein Soleil;
  • An Economic Development Council of the NWT.;
  • NWT Health Network in French;
  • a literacy service;
  • an impressive list of partners, political, economic, or cultural.


© Fédération Franco-TéNOise

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Auditor General of Canada to audit #NWT Income Security Programs

----- Original Message -----
From: "Derry, Cheryl" <Cheryl.Derry@XXX.ca>
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
[...]
> Our office is planning an audit of Income Security Programs in the NWT.  As part of our planning work, we are interviewing stakeholder groups like non-governmental organizations whose members/clientele interact with these programs to get a better sense of the challenges they face.  We are focusing our work in the Department of Education, Culture and Employment  [....]
[...]
> Cheryl Derry
> Audit Professional | Professionnelle de la vérification
> Office of the Auditor General of Canada | Bureau du vérificateur général du Canada
> 2460 Manulife Place, 10180-101th Street | 2460 Manulife Place, 10180-101e rue
> Edmonton, Canada T5J 3S4
> cheryl.derry@XXX.ca
> Telephone | Téléphone 780-495-2297
> Facsimile | Télécopieur 780-495-2031
> Teletypewriter | Téléimprimeur 613-954-8042

#NWT What We Heard from Northerners about Poverty

What We Heard from Northerners about Poverty

Feb, 8 2012


http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/what-we-heard-from-northerners-about-poverty/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Mr. Speaker, when our new government first met last October, we agreed on a vision for the Northwest Territories. Our vision is of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.  Developing an anti-poverty strategy is part of achieving this vision. It is linked with all of our goals and will ultimately form part of the basis for our government's coordinated approach to social issues.

Mr. Speaker, our goals as the 17th Assembly are all connected.  To have healthy, educated people free from poverty, we need a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.  We need sustainable, vibrant, safe communities.  We need an understanding by all parties that people's wellbeing is critical for the overall wellbeing of the Northwest Territories, our communities and our families.

Many Northerners continue to struggle.  We spoke with many of them during the consultations that were held over the last year.  In all, two-hundred-and-fifty people from across the Northwest Territories took part in these discussions in all regions.  We heard from residents and stakeholders, from front line workers and clients, students, elders, businesses and non-governmental organizations, as well as community and Aboriginal leaders.

We heard that poverty is complex and influenced by many factors, such as education, employment, housing, and health.  We were told to focus our efforts on poverty-related issues: addressing addictions, improving education and skills, improving housing and creating jobs. We need to address issues of wellness,   poverty and addictions as we seek to keep our communities safe.  We need to address the high cost of living and make sure that our programs encourage self-sufficiency.  During our last Session, we saw Northerners' and Members' dedication to this issue.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table What We Heard, a summary of the consultation results.  Our government believes in people and builds on the strengths of Northerners.  It is time to begin the work of developing a strategy to respond to their concerns.  Reducing poverty in the Northwest Territories is not something that the Government can do alone. Individuals, their families and communities, other governments, and volunteer and community organizations all play a role.  We heard the need for leadership and accountability at all levels.

This government will work collaboratively with all stakeholders from Non-Governmental Organizations, Aboriginal governments, business, and others with an interest in poverty in the Northwest Territories.  Under the leadership of the Social Envelope Committee and a lead Deputy, this government will develop a plan and bring it back to this Assembly before the end of this calendar year.

In the meantime, work will continue on the actions we have already identified that will address the underlying factors that contribute to poverty.  We are moving forward to enhance addictions treatment, address housing needs, and increase employment opportunities where they are most needed.  We are helping people become and stay employed, reducing dependency on government programs and making investments in infrastructure that will create economic opportunity and reduce the cost of living in our communities.

We have also talked many times about the need to address housing issues, which are closely linked to our economic and social agendas.  Housing is a major determinant of health and lack of housing makes economic development difficult, especially in our communities.  The ongoing Shelter Policy Review will provide a long-term strategic framework for delivering housing in the Northwest Territories and the basis of specific actions on this priority.

Some of these projects will likely be identified in the final anti-poverty strategy.  This work requires a balanced approach that acknowledges that action on one priority will support action on other priorities.

I look forward to returning to this House and to Committee to continue the discussion about how best to reduce poverty in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.