"Compare and contrast" is a favorite tool of teachers.

For a real lesson that raises more questions than answers, compare and contrast the budgets of Yellowknife's two school systems as reported in last Friday's Yellowknifer.

The Catholic School Board is cutting $62,000 to help pay for teachers' salary increases to maintain a surplus of $658,000.

In stark contrast, Yellowknife District No. 1 is flailing around in a desperate attempt to come to grips with an $830,000 deficit.

Why do we say flailing? Mainly because they seem to have no plan as a board committee wrestles with a policy to exert more budget control.

How do you spell understatement?

More striking is the comparison with the optimism board members displayed in the summer of 2000, predicting a $196,903 surplus.

That's extraordinary as they posted a million-dollar deficit for the 1999-2000 school year. Reeling from that red ink stain on the bottom line, the board approved a budget for 2000-01 that projected a $203,097 deficit. They were more than $600,000 off the mark.

Clearly something is amiss at Yellowknife District No. 1 and it begins and ends with budgets that are closer to fairy tales than sound financial plans.

The budget figures reveal over-spending and under-spending where misses almost equal the hits. For example, awards and special events were budgeted for $5,330 but $38,339 was spent. For curriculum, $136,000 was budgeted but only $57,000 was spent. That may have been an example of cost-cutting but for another example -- $6,506 budgeted for special programs but $49,069 was spent. We could go on, but it all adds up to a crippling deficit.

The board must abandon its hands-off approach and take an active role in the financial operation of the district before the money gets further out of control.

Board members are there to safeguard the integrity of Yellowknife's schools.

Their duty is clear.

In his report on the death of a woman last year on Prosperous Lake, chief coroner Percy Kinney recommends a 911 service for Yellowknife, and an extension of cell-phone service down the Ingraham Trail.

The first proposal makes sense. Emergency phone numbers in much of the country have been reduced to three easy-to-remember digits. Yellowknife's recent newcomers, of which there are many, are surprised to find we don't supply a 911 service. Perhaps it is time we did.

As for cell phones on the trail, however, we have our reservations. Many of those who have made their home on the trail were fully prepared to sacrifice such urban amenities when they moved there. It's their call, not ours.

Today marks the end of Literacy Week, but we know Northerners will not be putting down their books, magazines, or newspapers.

We know this because people like Patrick Kikoak are living proof that the efforts of Tom Eagle and other organizations such as the Native Women's Association and the Aurora College Literacy Outreach Centre are working hard to make sure they don't.

Kikoak, who is an adult student in a local literacy program, can now apply for a job by himself.

We should celebrate Kikoak's courage for admitting he had a problem in the first place and then getting help. We should also celebrate the fact that there is help available, and it's free.

Besides upgrading his reading skills, Kikoak also learned that literacy is liberating.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

It's rare this space is used to "gush," but it's hard to accurately describe the impression left behind by the Missoula Children's Theatre in Rankin Inlet without gushing.

First of all, what actor-directors Michael Stoddard and Ann Chris Warren were able to accomplish with the Rankin kids in such a short period of time was nothing less than incredible.

There might not be a Tony Award being readied any time soon, but the kids put on a darn good show.

This is especially true when one considers the play was the first time the vast majority of the kids were exposed to the theatre (our apologies to organizers of the annual Christmas Concert).

But, there was more to this than just the actual play itself -- much more. The fact so many of these kids jumped at the chance to be in the play, and gave it everything they had once they were selected, shows just how willing local youth are to get involved with extracurricular activities.

That is, when they're available.

The kids were also proud to be in the play. You could see it in their laughing eyes and smiling faces.

They were, indeed, part of something special and seized the moment to show all their friends and family what they were capable of on the stage.

A special tip of the hat should also go out to the students from Alaittuq High who took part in the play.

Their help and leadership went a long way in helping the younger students get over any stage fright and do their best. Most of all, they showed the younger kids taking part in a play and expanding your horizons is, in a word, cool!

Another job well done

Since it's a week to gush, another thumbs up goes out to Rankin Inlet's Jordin Tootoo.

Jordin made such a good impression at the Nashville Predators prospects camp, he was invited to the NHL team's main camp. Tootoo had a strong camp and even suited up for one NHL exhibition tilt.

And, although Nashville lost, Tootoo handled himself quite admirably from all accounts and did not look out of place in an NHL setting.

The rugged Rankin winger is back in Brandon with the Wheat Kings for the 2001-02 season. Chances just keep getting better that this time next year we'll be watching Tootoo perform on TV at the NHL level.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

Another season has come and gone for the Inuvik Community Greenhouse.

This marked the greenhouse's second season, and by all accounts it was a successful one.

The commercial area grew and sold lots of bedding plants, tomatoes and other items.

Down below, all the community plots were filled, providing plenty of people the opportunity to exercise their green thumbs, or just stroll the aisles during the summer, watching a wide variety of plants and flowers take root and spring forth.

Much was happening behind the scenes, as well. Repairs and renovations have been conducted over the year, with plans in the works for more. A perennial rock garden was put in place by the front entrance, and a mural painted.

In many ways the greenhouse is like the plants it nurtures. Some years ago the idea of such a greenhouse was planted, and many people have dug down and done what was needed to make the greenhouse develop and bloom.

Congrats to those involved for the past season, with hopes for even better things next year.

Healthy choices

Nutrition and exercise are common themes nowadays.

Recently students at Sir Alexander Mackenzie got to take part in International School Milk Day, an event designed to raise awareness of the benefits of milk, with hopes of encouraging young people to drink more.

As well, organizers are sprinting ahead with plans for a running club. People will be able to drop by when able, and run, jog or walk along, while chatting with friends and neighbours.

And oh yeah, they'll become more physically fit in the process.

Plus, this is NWT Literacy Week. This past Tuesday residents were challenged to read for 15 minutes, in an effort to have people exercise their minds and expand their horizons.

Hockey week in Inuvik

This week marks the return of the ice within the arena at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.

It also marks the second annual hockey school, whereby young people from Inuvik and nearby communities get to sharpen their skills and perhaps dream of becoming the next Wayne Gretzky.

Good luck to them, as well as their instructors, coaches and parents.

Many adults, meanwhile, are digging out their skates, anxious to skate laps around the rink, or perhaps play some recreational hockey.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

The economic development conference in Fort Simpson this week is light at the end of the tunnel for some. For the cynics it's another reason to scoff. Economic development has been occurring at a minimum level in most of the Deh Cho for decades. Six years ago the Deh Cho Means Business conference was supposed to put an end to that. However, upon reviewing the conference report, it is now clear that very few of the goals have been achieve -- with some possible exceptions in Fort Liard.

How do we know that this conference will be any different? We don't.

There's promise the political climate will improve within the next year if the Deh Cho First Nations and the federal government achieve an Interim Resource Development Agreement. That would open the door to many business opportunities.

But it's also important to ensure local people are truly prepared for the onslaught of industry if and when that door opens wide. DCFN leadership has warned of the consequences of each community storming ahead with its own plans for development. It would be easy to overwhelm the limited workforce in the Deh Cho. Therefore a regional economic working group to coordinate ventures and promote cooperation makes perfect sense.

While it seems pressure is mounting to create economic development in the depressed Deh Cho region, it would be foolish to undermine the guarantees that are being sought through political negotiations. It's short-term pain for long-term gain. In the big picture, the years ahead stand to be prosperous because of it and the environment won't have been forsaken either.

Way to go, Evelyn

Every once in a while you meet someone who is extremely motivated to do something for the benefit of others. Evelyn Krutko is one of those people. I happened to be in Fort Providence to witness her spending her lunch hour swiftly and tirelessly moving from one person to the next to round up every dollar she could for the Run for the Cure. Obviously, to raise $1,868, she must have devoted several lunch hours, early mornings and evenings to her mission.

Anne Rowe did the same thing in Fort Simpson for many years for the Terry Fox Run. It wasn't uncommon for her to singlehandedly raise $2,000.

Perhaps to use the term "singlehandedly" is stretching it. No one can really raise any more than they are willing to donate themselves unless other individuals and businesses are caring enough to give. That benevolence unquestionably exists in Fort Providence and in Fort Simpson, where another $790 was scraped together. It might be cliche, but every dollar counts. People like Evelyn Krutko and Anne Rowe realize that.