Taqralik, 1 janvier 1981, English

[" FROM: MAKIVIK CORPORATION P.O.BOX 179 KUUJJUAQ, QUEBEC JOM ICO TAQRAf ÏK newsletter of the 1 I iLI It makivik corporation FIRST CLASS FEBRUARY 1981 CONSTITUTIONAL BREAKTHROUGH Aboriginal Rights to be Included in Constitution On Friday, January 30, a historic vote in Ottawa, by members of all political par-ties prepared the way for the word INUIT to appear in the Constitution and for ABORIGINAL RIGHTS to be legally recognized.If the proposals pass through the British parliament, where the Canadian provinces are strongly opposing them, a new era in native relations with government will begin0 The Constitutional Committee of Parlia-ment adopted the native rights clauses unanimously.Peter Ittinuar, the Inuk Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, played a crucial leadership role in the weeks leading up to the vote and in the constitutional committee.In fact, the government even asked Mr Itti-nuar to present the notion for the vote in respect of his important work.The most important of the several sec-tions is a special part of the Constitu-tional law, Of the several sections, the most im-portant one is a special part of the Consitutional law, called the \"Rights of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada\".This section says: (1) The aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed.Mark R.Gordon, Co-Ordinator of ICNI, Eric Tagoona Co-Chairman, Peter Ittinuar, M.P.for Nunatsiaq and Charlie Watt, Co-Chairman for ICNI, (2) In this Act, \"aboriginal peoples of Canada\" includes the Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada.The Inuit Committee on National Issues (ICNI), headed by Charlie Watt and Erik Tagoona, and under the daily working di-rection of Mark R.Gordon, was given credit by the other native groups for providing the leadership which resulted in the vote on January 30.The ICNI negotiated with the different political parties and native groups in order to arrive at mutually acceptable wording suitable for the new Constitution^, Another section, that was included at the insistence of ICNI, provides for the con't on pg 2 Constitution.con't from pg 1 participation of the Inuit and other native leaders in the constitutional con­ferences during the next few years when matter affecting native peoples are dis­cussed.Other sections adopted by the Ottawa committee ensures that Inuit and other native rights will not be limited by the individual rights for all Canadians which are being added to the Constitution.Meanwhile, some provincial governments, including Quebec, oppose the rights for individuals and groups which are being added to the Constitution.These provin­ces will try to persuade the British par­liament not to accept the Canadian consti­ tutional changes.If this happens Prime Minister Trudeau would certainly fight very hard to keep the proposed changes to the constitution.Some expert observers believe that the Canadian government might agree to postpone the Charter of Rights for the time being.In that case, the native rights might still be protected because they are mentioned in a special consti­tutional section dealing only with abo­riginal rights.However, in order to ensure the victory of January 30, it will take much further work by Inuit leaders and public support for the Prime Minister's position.Makivik news through TAQRALIK From the comments we have been re­ceiving during the past few months, there seems to be some confusion about the role and purpose of the Taqralik newsletter.We would like to point out that Taqralik is a newsletter published by the Makivik Information Department to carry information about the Corporation and its subsidiaries for the benefit of its members and other interested people.As such, the Taqralik newsletter is not meant to replace, or serve as a general Inuit newspaper or magazine for the territory of Northern Québec .At the moment, T.N.I, is working to re-establish ATUAQNIK, or to start another regional newspaper.This kind of newspa­per would be an independent publication which serves the many different needs of the territory.For example, such a news­paper would provide coverage of news events and issues, a forum for public o-pinion, and articles on Inuit culture and history, etc.However, the Traqralik Newsletter is different because its main purpose is to answer the information needs of the Makivik Corporation and its members.Because of this, Taqralik will continue to exist even if another newspaper or magazine is established.We would also like to explain why we used the name Taqralik for the news­letter.First, the plans to change Taqralik into an independent publication were never carried out.Secondly, Taqralik used to be a publication of the Northern Québec Inuit Association.Since Makivik inherited many of the res-ponsiblities of the NQIA, the use of the name Taqralik for a publication also passed on to Makiviko The Makivik Information Department would like to say that although the main purpose of the Taqralik newsletter is to carry information about the corpora­tion and its subsidiaries, Taqralik will be publishing some general articles about Northern Québec until another Inuit newspaper or magazine is set up to serve the territory in general.Taqralik 2 \"The government of Quebec black­mailed the Canadian government into signing the Transfer Agreement\", accord­ing to Charlie Watt, President of Makivik Corporation.The Government of Canada was in­formed by Quebec that if they refuse to sign the agreement, then the Quebec government would postpone it indefini­tely.As a result, the Inuit would remain the responsibility of the Federal government, who would have to continue to supply services to the north.\u2022 Makivik, as a native party, and Kativik Regional Government (KRG) re­ceived a letter from the Quebec Govern­ment.In the areas of maintenance, sanitation, housing, air-strips, and community centers, the budgets had not been approved by the Treasury Board.Since all budgets are subject to change or reduction by the board, this letter means nothing.Kigiok \u2014 Ready to Gr Kigiak Builders Inc.is the best equipped company in the North in re­gards to working facilities and heavy equipment, according to Laurence Hazell, the company's General Manager.Kigiak's Service Center in Kuujjuaq has four fully functioning shops that have a professionally qualified staff, a large stock of inventory of all ne­cessary equipment.Included are a heating and plumbing shop, an electri­cal shop, a mechanical shop and a car­pentry shop.They also have heavy equipment loca­ted in Northern Quebec, including a cement factory, a heavy duty rock crusher, a crane and numerous trucks and dump trucks.Kigiak is capable of providing its services in all co­mmunities in Northern Quebec, not only in Kuujjuaq.Canadian Gov't Also in the letter, electricity rates were discussed, but as these were conditional of the signing of the .trans­fer agreement they are considered as guaranteed.Once Hydro Quebec takes over elec­trical services in the north, the rates for electricity would become the same as those in the south.This latest move by the Quebec Government puts them in the position of having to live up to their word.The Inuit of Northern Quebec have repeatedly been told by Quebec to trust them and even if there is no written agreement Quebec will always like up to their verbal agreements.As none of the budgets concerned in the transfer agreement have been passed by the Treasury Board, it is now up to Quebec to live up to its promises.w Last year Kigiak completed on schedule and within budget the 20 room hotel in Kuujjuaq, This year it suc­cessfully obtained a $120,000 contract from the Ministry of Transport in Kuu­jjuaq to renovate their staff houses and garages.Kigiak's Superintendent, Jacques Parisien, is ready to take anyone who may need maintenance or construction service on a tour of the company's facilities in Kuujjuaq, Kigiak also has office and warehouse space avail­able for rent.For more information about Kigiak's services call: Jacques Parisien in Kuujjuaq 964-2720 Laurence Hazell in Montreal 483-1434 Quebec Blackmails Taqralik 3 IMAQPIK UNABLE TO RESUME FISHING Imaqpik Fisheries' ship, the M/V Lumaaq has not been able to resume fish­ing on January 03,1981 as originally scheduled, due to unresolved negotia­tions between Canada and the European Economic Community (EEC) on renewing fishing licenses.These are annual negotiations held to renew and issue fishing licenses and to establish quotas for all Canadian license holding boats.Since negotiations are not completed, Canadian boats cannot fish in EEC waters and EEC boats cannot fish in Canadian waters.There are 12 licenses for Canadian boats affected by these nego­tiations .The Lumaaq is still able to fish in Canadian waters (Zone 0) but weather and ice conditions make it impossible to fish in the north during this time of the year.The area of disagreement, according to Neil Greig, General Manager of Imaqpik Fisheries, is the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the EEC countries.As of now the TAC for both Canada and the EEC is 29,500 tons, this gives the EEC 27,000 tons and Canada 2,500 tons.\"The EEC requested that the TAC be increased by 4000 tons for a total of 33,500 tons,\" said Greig.\"However, Canada's share would have been increased by only 300 pounds.The federal govern­ment refused.\" Scientific data collected by the North West Atlantic Fish organisation, Canada and the EEC shows that 17% of the 29,500 tons :'s caught in Canadian waters which is 5000 tons, yet Canada's TAC is only 2500 tons.Canada is giving up 2,500 tons of shrimp, 7,500 tons of turbot and 2,400 tons of round nose grenadier.Also from Zones 2 and 3, the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada is giving up 750 tons of redfish and turbot.In exchange for relinquishing these amounts of fish, Canada is able to fish in Zone 1 (EEC waters) during the winter months when the northern waters are frozen over.Mr Greig points out, \"As we are already into the month of February, unless Canada and the EEC come to an agreement very quickly, it may not be in Canada's interest to allow the usual percentage of TAC to be taken from Canadian waters.\" The usual schedule of fishing is that in January, February and the beginning of March, Canada fishes in Zone 1 waters.From mid-March to mid-April the boats are dry-docked for maintenance and repairs.In May fishing is resumed in Canadian waters.From January to mid-March Canada catches only 15% of its annual quota in EEC waters.Since Canada hasn't been able to fish in EEC waters this year, why should she give up fish stocks if she has nothing to gain ?.Makivik changes meetings Makivik recently changed the dates and places of several of its meetings.They are now scheduled as follows: Executive Meeting March 9-10 Board Meeting March 11-13 Annual General Meeting March 16-20 All meetings will take place at Makivik's Kuujjuaq office.Taqralik 4 Kuujjuaq Inn open for business On January 15, 1981, the Kuujjuaq Inn and its cafeteria style restaurant opened for business.The new hotel is the first project of the Kuujjuaq Land Holding Corpora­tion, and it has established a new standard for travel accomodations in Northern Quebec.In many ways the Kuujjuaq Inn resembles the accomodations normally found in moderately priced chain hotels of the south.The 20 room hotel complex contains an 80 seat cafeteria restaurant as well as space for an 80 seat bar.However, the bar will only open when it receives its liquor licence, which could come sometime around the end of March.The rate for the rooms is $75.00 per person per day.The Kuujjuaq Inn accepts Visa (Chargex) and Mastercharge credit cards.The hotel is also working out arrangements that will enable it to accept American Express Cards in the near future.Guest will be able to charge both the restaurant and rooms to the same bill.At the moment, the restaurant pro­vides a choice of three specials of the day.In addition, the usual assortment of fast foods (hot-dogs, hamburgers, french fries, etc.) are always available.The hotel management also plans to ac­quire a liquor licence that would allow the restaurant to serve beer and wine with meals.The restaurant is open from 7 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.The Hotel Manager, Claude Grenier, said that for a new operation, the Kuujjuaq Inn is doing fairly well.He explained that the restaurant business has been a little slow, but that the hotel has been doing better than expec­ted with the rooms.Mr.Grenier said that the Kuujjuaq Inn is interested in getting contracts or agreements with companies or organi­zations who wish to make use of the hotel on a regular basis.He indicated Claude Grenier, Manager of the Kuujjuaq Inn.that he has already had such discussions with people from the provincial govern­ment.Furthermore, Mr, Grenier explain­ed that they will be looking into the possiblity of providing facilities tor groups who wish to hold conferences or meetings at the hotel.Anyone wishing to reserve a room or rooms at the Kuujjuaq Inn can do so by phoning (819) 964-2903 between 8 a.m.and 8 p.m.The address of the hotel is: Kuuj j uaq Inn P.0.Box 21 Kuujjuaq, Québec J0M 1C0 kuujjuaq Inn Taqralik 5 Coroner recommends proper police and fire protection for Northern Quebec The Coroner who investigated the death of Sailisie Padlayat in a fire in Salluit last May 8, 1980, made public his findings and recommendations in a press conference in Montreal on the 12th of February.The Coroner, Mr Dery, concluded that it was an accidental death caused mainly by lack of proper equipment, facilities and training in the field of police and fire protection.He indicated had there been a proper prison cell to hold Sailisie Padlayat, or had the native constables received complete and proper training to deal with their difficult job, or had there been adequate fire fighting equip­ment in the community, the tragic acci­dent would have probably not happened.Mr Dery's report notes that the res­ponsibility for providing much of the missing training, facilities and equip­ment belongs to the government of Quebec.It also indicated that Quebec has re­ceived numerous recommendations on this matter and suggests that this time the government take action to answer police and fire protection requirements of all the communities in Northern Quebec.The coroner ended the report with the following recommendations: - That every Inuit community in Northern Quebec have one or two Inuit constables, depending on the community's size and importance.- That Inuit constables now on duty be immediately given all the necessary training that they have not yet recei­ved from the Quebec Police Force and that Inuit constables be given the same level of training that is now provided in the - That one or two proper prison cells be built in every Inuit community so that the native constables will be better able to maintain law and order.- That every community be provided with adequate fire fighting equipment.It should be noted that it was the first time a coroner's report was writ­ten in Tnuktitut, French and English.An attorney of Makivik Corporation and the President of the Kativik Regional Govern­ment, Willie Makiuk were present when the coroner released his findings.Finance course for Makivik and the Landholding Corpora­tion (LHC) of Northern Quebec are hold­ing a three day course in Financial Accounting and Bookkeeping from Febru­ary 10 - 12, 1981.One employee from each corporation of Northern Quebec, who is responsible for finances, wil.l be taking the course at Makivik's Montreal office.Besides learning basic bookkeeping and financial accounting from Rudy Ellis, Makivik's Comptroller, they will also learn about land leasing procedures.On the third day, the LHC employees will diccuss special projects that are being set up bv their corporation, the legal aspects of tnese projects, finance C employees and how to raise funds from alternate sources\u201e This course was requested by Jackie Koneak, Department Head of LHC of Kuu­jjuaq.It was set up under the agree­ment by which Makivik gave $1,000,000 to be divided among the 13 LHC.This money is to be used to set up an admi­nistration and accounting system for all the LHC and for community purposes and activities of general benefit to the Inuit.The corporation will have to present financial statements to Makivik's Board Members to show how the money has been spent.The $1,000,000 grant is renew­able for an additional four years.Taqralik 6 INUIT COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE Approximately 35 Inuit delegates, a number of resource and government repre­sentatives held a three day communica­tions meeting in Salluit at the end of January to determine the future needs of the Northern Quebec Inuit in all fields of communications.Local F.M.radio stations, H.F.radios, a Northern Quebec newspaper, Inuit TV, CBC services and other communication po­ssibilities were discussed and ratified.One of the most important priorities to resolve at the meeting was who is responsibile for representing the Inuit's interest in communications.Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated received a vote of confidence to continue with its mandate in representing the Northern Quebec Inuit in communications.Another resolution called for support from the Quebec Government in increasing the transmitter power in the local F.M.stations.T.N.I, was also given the responsibi­lity of setting up a training program and to establish a newspaper in Northern Quebec.Concerning CBC services, the Inuit resolved that the presidents of the diff­erent organizations in Northern Quebec should meet with CBC to discuss their radio and TV services in the North.The meeting was important in interest­ing in that it was the first meeting of its kind to discuss all aspects of commu­nications for Northern Quebec.Josepi Padlayat (center), President of TNI at the Sugluk Conference.BRADLEY GETS GREENLAND ROUTE Bradly Air Services Ltd.recently received approval to operate a regularly scheduled flight between Frobisher Bay, N.W.T.and Nuuk, Greenland from the federal government.Now Bradly will have to apply for landing rights in Greenland from the Danish authorities.Although the exact fares still have to be calculated, a one way fare would be in the area of $250.00 with a special return fare of $350.00.Service would be once a week, however flights are not expected to start for several months.Taqralik 7 Little Progress at Land Claim Talks There was little progress during the negotiations held at Eskimo Point recently between Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC) and the federal government on the land claims settlement.The three main points on the agenda were interim measures, wildlife and land selection.Progress in the area of interim measures was very minor.All that was agreed upon was that there will be no new national parks set up until the agreement is signed, On the issue of wildlife management, both sides agreed the present system must be \"reorganized to provide Inuit with a major role in decision making.The Inuit role must have teeth\".However the details still have to be worked out.The federal government's paper on wild-life harvesting contained some positive features, Inuit would be allowed to hunt in sanctuaries.But their paper said nothing about wild- INUIT TAPIRISAT OF CANADA life management, so further discussions will be needed.The discussions on land selection settled nothing.The government is expec­ted to rewrite its position paper since now it allocates all deposits of natural resources to others.The Inuit negotia­tors did not feel this was acceptable and said that they were concerned about,\"wind­ing up with nothing but the leftovers\".The next round of negotations are scheduled for March 2 to 6 in Ottawa» i ^PROUDLY SERVING THE UNGAVA COMMUNITIES' V\\Ji^c -Do-n>c d^