SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been kind of a whirlwind,SA国际影视传媒� says Dennis Patterson, who last week celebrated both his 75th birthday and retirement as NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 senator.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒橧I make a confession: ISA国际影视传媒檝e loved politics all my life. To be able to do what you love doing while working with others in common cause, with guidance and support from respected EldersSA国际影视传媒� I have loved every day at my great job.SA国际影视传媒�

There is much to reflect on for the senator, who began his political career in 1979 when he was elected for the first of his four terms as the MLA for Frobisher Bay in the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淭he reward, for meSA国际影视传媒� Patterson stated on Facebook, SA国际影视传媒渨as knowing that once in a while I was able to make a difference: working (for two decades) for the creation of Nunavut and miraculously seeing it happen, making changes in education and health SA国际影视传媒� taking over health from the federal government, creating health and school (divisional) boards, the Arctic College, shutting down all residential schools by putting Grade Xll in every community, seeing marine infrastructure finally being funded by the federal governmentSA国际影视传媒� and getting federal commitments to build a Nunavut Recovery Centre.SA国际影视传媒�

These are just some highlights from a lengthy political career, one where Patterson was instrumental in what he describes as the SA国际影视传媒減assionate dreamSA国际影视传媒� for the creation of Nunavut by plebiscite in April 1982.

SA国际影视传媒淣unavut was a long sought-after dream from the early SA国际影视传媒�70s SA国际影视传媒� to [create] an Inuit homeland [apart from] the Northwest Territories that would recognize and protect the language and culture in the new territory. A population different from the Dene and the Northwest Territories, defined by a marine ecosystem as opposed to a river one, and with the desire to protect a minority population,SA国际影视传媒� he told Nunavut News.

SA国际影视传媒淭he architects of Nunavut,SA国际影视传媒� whom Patterson also calls SA国际影视传媒渢he founding fathersSA国际影视传媒� of the historic Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, SA国际影视传媒渕ade it clear it would be a government for all, the aspects of it being a public verses ethnic government.SA国际影视传媒� This is made clear in Article IV.

SA国际影视传媒淭here was a fervour to it. We were enthusiastic,SA国际影视传媒� he recalled.

SA国际影视传媒淭rue,SA国际影视传媒� he added in his Facebook statement, SA国际影视传媒渂eing your Senator provided a lot of freedom but also a lot of responsibility. I felt I had a duty to take advantage of my platform and speak out on the many issues of concern to Nunavut SA国际影视传媒� exploitative monopolies, the housing and TB and suicide issues, to name a few.

SA国际影视传媒淢uch more remains to be done, though government canSA国际影视传媒檛 do it all. That is why, since I was appointed to the Senate in 2009, ISA国际影视传媒檝e been thrilled to see to no less than three significant mining operations (Agnico Eagle, Baffinland and now B2Gold) expressing their confidence in each of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 three regions of Nunavut and its Inuit [through] controlled and extremely rigorous regulatory process,SA国际影视传媒� he continued.

Devolution, Decolonization and Development

Aside from the creation and evolution of Nunavut, to which Patterson has devoted much of his life, he remains committed to the devolution of the last vestiges of colonial control and true independence for the GN and the Inuit from the federal government.

SA国际影视传媒淣unavut is the last jurisdiction in the country that does not have its own authority to manage its own lands and resources,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淣egotiations have been intensely underway for the past 15 years. The transfer of authority and management of land resources is expected for 2024. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 my guess as a negotiator. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what theySA国际影视传媒檙e working towards at least.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is huge. It gives Nunavut the last, or one of the last, principles of authority that it was lacking. The GN will now have a share of the royaltiesSA国际影视传媒� To give an example, BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 first mineral [iron ore] deposit royalty share, according to company aspirations, would exceed $2 billion. That alone could solve the housing crisis in Baffin [Island], if nothing else.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight now, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a remote colonial government who decides [what to do with money and resources]. Devolution is decolonization. It will be the last step in decolonizing the North. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the right thing to do, because the Inuit here are impacted as residents in the territory where these changes are occurring. They should have a say in what and how these changes might be, not a remote, unaccountable government in Ottawa.SA国际影视传媒�

When he looks to the future, the SA国际影视传媒渘ext chapterSA国际影视传媒� of his career and the book he will write about Nunavut, Patterson views these developments and changes as SA国际影视传媒渕ostly positive through a share of royalties to support a growing population. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the duly-elected government in those communities who should have the say.

SA国际影视传媒淩ight now, the GN is a bystander in these decisions and negotiations. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 an active bystander, but the action is with Northern Affairs SA国际影视传媒� thatSA国际影视传媒檚 colonialism. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 a distant, remote, unaccountable government in Ottawa, when it should be run by Nunavut. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a concept when all is said and done that there will be a net benefit that should go towards social services.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen we talk about politics and constitutional development,SA国际影视传媒� Patterson expanded, SA国际影视传媒渢his is moving towards provinces by right of name. [Nunavut] is getting province-like authoritySA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檓 really looking forward to seeing that change.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was the champion of that as a senator, but also as an MLA and as [the] premier.SA国际影视传媒�

Looking forward

Patterson intends to write a book about this history he witnessed firsthand.

SA国际影视传媒淢y dream was always to write. Frankly, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a new generation of leaders who have forgotten about how we have gotten to where we are today. Their forefathers agreed to establish a public government outlined in Article IV [of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement], and we have a chance to reinforce the visionSA国际影视传媒� of the architects of Nunavut.

SA国际影视传媒淭here were 20 years of negotiations. There were leaders of the day who made compromisesSA国际影视传媒� that were condemned by other First Nations. Self-determination may well be appropriate on a reserve, which I can respect, but it was not appropriate for the isolated and largely scattered population [of Nunavut]. This principal needs to be remembered by Inuit leaders of today.SA国际影视传媒�

Patterson declares that he is SA国际影视传媒渁n unabashed supporter of [utilizing NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚] natural resources. The government canSA国际影视传媒檛 do it all. There are massive issues that [are] preventing that work on a daily basis. The most rigorous environmental processes in the world, in my opinion, are in place, and controlled by the Inuit communities, who have the final say. There are ways of mitigating [environmental] impact. Less than one per cent of land use is for resource extraction. We have the tools within Nunavut to find win-win ways to move forward with demonstrable benefits to the population.

SA国际影视传媒淣unavut always goes cap in hand to Ottawa begging for money. We have the resources to pay our own waySA国际影视传媒�and the potential not to rely on the goodwill of the taxpayers of Canada and the federal government,SA国际影视传媒� said the outgoing senator.

SA国际影视传媒淚 must say I am concerned as I leave public life that there are too many anti-mining and development voices being funded by southern organizations. I saw three mining companies [set up operations, who] are seeking every able-bodied Inuit worker with good jobs and pay. This is an exciting and promising development that I hope the next senator and leaders will understand as we tackle the substantial barriers to development, such as the [Nunavut] Land Use Plan.

As for his successor, Patterson comments, SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e encouraged lots of people to apply, ISA国际影视传媒檝e talked to a lot of people and told them itSA国际影视传媒檚 a privilege and a lot of work, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 important you be activeSA国际影视传媒� in Nunavut. itSA国际影视传媒檚 critical that [my] position be filled.SA国际影视传媒�

As for Patterson individually, SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 looking forward to having a little more personal freedom, and looking forward to my continued career [in writing], so looking forward to the new chapter.SA国际影视传媒�