Since then, however, little has been heard from Ottawa on the dozens of recommendations to overhaul how the federal government deals with aboriginal Canadians, proposals that could cost as much as $30 billion over the next 15 years.

Perhaps because of the scope of the report, little detailed analysis or criticism has been heard on the campaign trail.

The New Democrats' candidate for Nunavut, Hunter Tootoo, for example, said he's not too familiar with the report but he does have some opinions on it.

"Government is famous for reports sitting on shelves collecting dust. If things ... would affect us in Nunavut, then we should push for those things to be done."

Nunavut Reform Party candidate John Turner said he hasn't really thought about the commission's report either and so it isn't something he's really to prepared to discuss.

"I'll have to do some research. I've been trying to get Nunavut established. Up here (in Whale Cove) we're kind of isolated in news services," Turner said.

Neither Tory Okalik Eegeesiak nor Liberal Nancy Karetak Lindell returned requests for interviews.

In the Western Arctic, however, opinions were easier to find.

Liberal Ethel Blondin-Andrew said her government has already begun addressing the recommendations contained in the report. However, she also said a review of all recommendations with a view to implementation is part of the party's campaign platform.

"They're looking at what state of progress each recommendation is at. Some have been completed, some are in progress, some are being planned and a process set forth," she said. "Some of the really fundamental issues will require a much more involved process."

Western Arctic Reform Party candidate Mike Watt agrees that, with the Royal commission costing $56 million, the government should be doing something about it.

But he does have a problem with the $2 billion additional per year for aboriginal people for the next 15 or 20 years. "Where is that kind of money going to come from?"

Watt says he's sure there's some good, valid points in the report, but he doesn't see any money demands as feasible.

Independent Wally Firth has the opposite take.

"The recommendations should be implemented as soon as we can," he said. "In the NWT there seems to be a lot of support for this. In the South I would meet with all sorts of groups wherever I can to promote it. It'll be a tough road."

A similar demand comes from New Democrat Mary Beth Levan, who said the report should be acted upon as soon as possible. "Ours is the only party on record saying the federal government should start to deal with the recommendations," she said.

Tory Bob Dowdall, said he sees the document as a move in the right direction, but has some concerns about the impact of some of the recommendations. "I'm not too sure about who all they will impact," he said.

It's unrealistic, he added, to expect that the recommendations of the document be implemented overnight.

Few pieces of federal legislation have raised as much ire in the NWT as the latest gun control bill. It is almost universally derided as a costly intrusion into a necessary aspect of life for many Northerners.

The bill's main thrust would force all gun owners to register their weapons, although aboriginals and subsistence hunters would be exempt from the accompanying fees.

Despite widespread opposition to the bill in her riding, Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew voted with her government rather than risk losing her job as secretary of state for training and youth by breaking party ranks.

"I had to make a choice," said Blondin-Andrew, "Vote against the government, my cabinet colleagues and the prime minister and give up my position, which I value very much and which has allowed me to help Northerners in other ways. I said 'No', I'm not prepared to do that."

At a recent debate in Yellowknife, however, she changed tactics and defended the bill as a measure women demanded as a form of protection from violence.

Her Reform challenger, Mike Watt, is among her most fierce critics on the subject. The bottom line, he said is that "she did not speak the wishes of the constituents."

Watt said he already breaks the law by not having his ammunition locked up, because he's not going to risk his son or daughter in an emergency by trying to find a key to the filing cabinet.

Independent Wally Firth also sees the bill as the Liberal's main weakness. He said he is "absolutely" against gun control.

"It won't protect the public or stop domestic violence. It will cost at least $500 million that could be used for other things to prevent crime," Firth said.

Tory Bob Dowdall goes further, calling the bill "stupid." He maintained there should be more focus on the acquisition of firearms, instead of tracking guns after the owners have had them locked in their closets for years.

New Democrat Mary Beth Levan said her party voted against it because it was insulting to Northerners and aboriginal people. She questioned Blondin-Andrew's claim that women asked for the bill.

"We need to do something about violence against women. The legislation didn't do that. We need programs to help women leave violent relationships and programs to help people in need."

Opinions in Nunavut are just as hardened. "The way it stands now they're making a criminal out of us who do any hunting. My neighbor borrows my gun," said Reform candidate John Turner. "If I lend it to him I'm a criminal and he's a criminal."

The NDP's Hunter Tootoo also has little time for any mention of gun control. He said it was pointless creating "another level of administration and red tape."

Neither Tory Okalik Eegeesiak nor Liberal Nancy Karetak Lindell returned requests for interviews.