Two issues are involved with the development of lands around the legislative assembly building, formally called the "capital area."

The city and territorial government are working with a consulting firm to set up a review of what can and cannot be built in the capital area and how much land should be included. This is a critical question for Yellowknifers, one brought home by one of our largest property developers last year.

Bellanca Developments has a 10-acre lot beside the Explorer Hotel that falls under the restrictions placed upon the capital area. The company complained to city council that it has been unable to either sell or develop the property. While the restrictions in place do not prevent development, they do complicate it, and developers may well decide to stay away.

So we must trust city administration and council to protect the future interests of Yellowknifers in any decisions.

The second issue appears to be one of the image of Yellowknife as a capital city. The consultants are suggesting Yellowknife's profile as a capital city needs enhancement.

To anyone aware of the politics outside of the city, this image issue has the potential to create more harm than good. Who is the target audience? Yellowknifers themselves? The rest of Canada? The rest of the NWT?

Taking the last first, the rest of the NWT mightily resents the political and bureaucratic power bestowed upon Yellowknife. Publicizing the regional imbalance will serve no good.

The rest of Canada may be interested in knowing more about Yellowknife the capital but the costs of bringing that information to them should be weighed against the benefits.

As for Yellowknifers, they are already proud of their city and the capital aspect has less to do with their pride than the stores, office buildings, restaurants, Great Slave Lake, diamonds, gold and people. They are what make Yellowknife a great place to live.

We advise the city and territorial government to tread carefully. Bragging about Yellowknife's dominance may in fact lead to its diminishment.

It was an interesting move when Supreme Court justice John Vertes overturned the lower court ruling that saw the Yellowknives Dene fined $60,000 for dumping gravel into Back Bay.

Last week Justice John Vertes set aside the $60,000 fine against the band and upped the $1 fine against the Deton'cho Corporation instead. The $3,000 fine against the president of the company stands.

This makes sense. As Vertes pointed out, the evidence clearly showed the band had little to do with the project run by its corporate arm.

As we've said in the past it's a shame the courts weren't able to find the same success with the Fisheries Act violations that resulted in the bankrupt Royal Oak mines being fined $1.4 million in April 2000. If its CEO, Margaret Witte had, too, been fined, it may have had a different ending.

So, we're going get a non-stop flight to Vancouver, eh? Coming hard on the heels of the new Canadian North direct Calgary flights, last week's announcement from First Air is proof that competition in the airline industry is alive and well, up in these parts, anyway.

The new connections only whet our appetite for rapid access, though. How about a direct flight to Ottawa? Surely the demand from frequent-flying bureaucrats and First Nations representatives is high enough to warrant a weekly schedule at the very least. And if that works, a flight to Toronto would seem inevitable.

The only losers in this new era are our friends in the Edmonton hotels. A moment of silence please.

Editorial Comment
Jorge Barrera
Kivalliq News

Fireworks exploded in the starry nights of southern Canada on Sunday, the whole country united beneath the delirium of nationalistic zeal. But not one firework popped in the Kivalliq, or in all of Nunavut. The summer sky is different here, and Canada Day falls with a certain bit of irony in the land of the Inuit.

Canada Day: a celebration of Canada's existence. What does it mean up here?

Because of Canada, Inuit were forced off the land, forced into communities at the whim of government experiments. Culture and language faced eradication during the middle of the last century. Up until 30 years ago Inuit had dog tags with numbers instead of last names.

The creation of Canada meant the near destruction of Inuit cultures for the sake of the new one, and only now is there a half-hearted attempt by the federal government to help rejuvenate that which they tried to destroy. But it is the year 2001.

True, the creation of Nunavut is a miracle because not an ounce of blood was shed and an indigenous people retained control of lands they lost. That could only happen in Canada.

That is but one bright light against the dark smears of sins this country has committed against Inuit.

The conflict between Inuit culture and Canadian culture is part of history. And history creates the essence of identity.

Many Inuit walked bitter paths to get to Nunavut. Life is better now. Canada conceded to the Inuit the right to self-determination and that now offers a broad blanket of stability to the everyday lives of people in the Kivalliq. Health care is free, school is free, being in Canada is not such a bad thing. Time marches on.

But things are different here, the sky is just the most obvious example. To forget those differences, historically and today, is to lose the diversity that makes Canada so unique. And if that disappears, all that's left is a shell of a country and Canada Day becomes nothing but an empty celebration.

The vast spectrum of colours that make up the Canadian tapestry will disappear and the rest of the country will be left with nothing more than the reds, oranges and blues of their fireworks.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

By all accounts the first Inuvik Petroleum Show was a resounding success.

Lots of interesting discussions were held about recent exploration activity in the region, as well as the work coming up. Also discussed was the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline, plus ways for local firms and communities to gain maximum benefits from the oil and gas activity.

Hundreds of people flocked to Inuvik for the event, thus infusing a lot of money into the community. Of more long term benefit from the show will be the ideas exchanged and friendships formed.

As was pointed out, there's still nothing quite like meeting someone face to face, especially when it comes to doing business.

Also, visitors to the area presumably left with a better understanding of the needs and concerns felt by people in the region.

One thing which was remarked upon by more than one person was the energy, and sense of optimism, felt among those taking part.

The event might also serve to drive home to people -- from both outside the region, and right here -- that there's a lot of activity going on here now, with more to come.

Of course, it must not be forgotten that a show such as this town has just seen does not just happen. That's especially true in a case like this, where it was only earlier this year that it was decided to hold this event.

Kudos go to all those who played a hand in putting the show together, from co-ordinator Patricia Black right on down.

Talk is already swirling around town about next year's conference. It should also be quite an event, if this year's show is any indication.

Having fun for a good cause

Midnight Madness was also a big success.

Though the temperature was a little on the chilly side, lots of people took in the sights and sounds.

A big highlight was the Cops for Cancer event, where Mounties, plus other community members, risked some good natured ribbing and shaved their heads to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Not only did the event raise a lot of money, it was also good to see the large number of people who turned out to watch.

Those who willingly endured the close shaves should be given a hand. Then again, perhaps they could be given hats instead -- they're going to need a lot of hats for the next little while.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

First Nations, other local governments in the Deh Cho and the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce should hold North American Tungsten Corporation to its word on providing economic development opportunities. With the mine site located on the NWT side of the border, but the road supplying the mine routed through the Yukon, local leaders must see to it that a sufficient number of jobs and contracts are put on the table, rather than quietly allowing them to waltz down the road to the Yukon. The GNWT should be prepared to step in and asserts its influence as well.

Although the CanTung mine had been in operation from the 1960s through the 1980s, a different political and business dynamic exists today. The Acho Dene Koe group of companies, for example, has plenty more to offer than the Fort Liard band ever could have 20 or 30 years ago. They are seeking catering, heavy equipment and air charter deals with North American Tungsten. They should be given every chance to reach an equitable agreement to provide those services, nothing less.

Shortages hurt us all

It's promising to see that a decision has been made to add another member to the RCMP detachment in Fort Liard, bolstering the staff to four. What Mayor Joanne Deneron says is true, even though it was supposed to have been a three-member detachment it is rarely at full capacity. Someone is usually on a course or taking some time off. That's not just the case in Fort Liard, but with practically every detachment.

We rely greatly on the RCMP's presence. These men and women can be called upon to make life and death decisions at a moment's notice. With such gravity involved, we'd be much better off having someone rested making those decisions rather than someone who has been run ragged for weeks on end.

Dave's filling in

If you've noticed that I'm travelling in tandem this week it's because Northern News Services reporter Dave Sullivan is in town. Dave, who arrived in Yellowknife on Monday, will be taking the reins here at the Drum while Val and I are on vacation.

He had only been here a few hours when he jumped on the details of the lightning strike that occurred in Fort Simpson last week. Mother Nature's power is simply awesome. We can only be grateful that nobody was killed or injured by the intense charge. Please feel free to stop by the office, say hello to Dave, and pass along any story ideas you may have.

We'll see you again in August.