Last week we got a new premier. His job will be to steer the NWT through some of the roughest times weSA国际影视传媒檝e ever known. Our job will be to hold his feet SA国际影视传媒� and that of all our MLAs SA国际影视传媒� to the fire and make sure they follow through on their promises.
For their part, it will not be an easy task in a region top-heavy with bureaucrats too often overly invested in their own agendas. We know they do not relinquish control easily.
For our part, we have to continue demanding that our politicians are transparent, accountable and consult with us, the voters. They were not given a free ticket to ride as some may think. We must not allow them to exclude us from the process.
For example, the rumor mill has it that the decision to build a polytechnic on Tin Can Hill came directly from R.J. Simpson, the now-former Education, Culture and Employment minister. The lack of consultation and quick rebuff of alternative sites became quickly apparent. The responsibility for that decision was passed to numerous other groups who had little to do with the project. This reference has nothing to do with a post-secondary institution or its site, but more significantly, someoneSA国际影视传媒檚 failure to talk to people and consider their input. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 hope that was a one-off.
Simpson now says that being from Hay River, he had no idea how his plan would stir up so many people in the capital. A walking tour and proper consultation process might have helped.
However, now that he is premier, Simpson might consider talking to people before making weighty decisions such as these. Just because we are not in office does not mean we have divorced ourselves from political proceedings or that we are not capable of making decisions. We have some pretty bright people on the outside too.
Further, it was curious that the same minister who vowed to strengthen relationships with First Nations was the one involved in a lawsuit vowing to stop Indigenous governments from having power over child welfare services. His argument was that this could usurp the power of the GNWT and set a dangerous precedent.
It appears that better relationships are wanted but on whose terms? We have short memories. We need clarity on what strengthening relationships with Indigenous governments means especially in light of these, the days of decentralization.
Decentralization and devolution ultimately means returning power back to Indigenous governments from the federal government. It does not mean strengthening and empowering the territorial government at the expense of Indigenous governments. The GNWT is already the largest employer in the North with 6,600 employees on the payroll. We are the most over-governed and over-colonized region in Canada.
It appears that improving relationships with Indigenous governments includes understanding what decentralization even is and its perimeters. Some legislators are comfortable with it as long as it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 infringe, apparently, on government power.
Indeed, our communities are ill and without a better relationship with the GNWT and the federal government, all of the NWT is ill. A territory is only as strong as its weakest link and this is something Simpson and his group at the legislative assembly need to sort out.
There are perilous and challenging times ahead, likely some of the toughest the North has ever known. The strong hands of climate change are wrapped securely around our necks. We know that last summer was just a taste of whatSA国际影视传媒檚 to come.
We know the mines are closing and we must look for innovative ways to jump start our economy. And we know our people are sick and dying in ways we cannot imagine and its getting worse. Treatment centres, innovative healing practices particular to Northern culture, housing or lack thereof SA国际影视传媒� these are only a few of the heavy-hitting issues that must be dealt with over the next four years.
Our work SA国际影视传媒� the politicians, the electorate, all of us SA国际影视传媒� has only begun. In SimpsonSA国际影视传媒檚 words, letSA国际影视传媒檚 all roll up our sleeves and get down to it.
SA国际影视传媒擭ancy Vail is a longtime Yellowknifer concerned with social justice.
