There's no doubt Lynda Sorensen did the right thing last Thursday when she resigned her position as chief of staff.

A veteran of territorial politics, Sorensen has been knee-deep in controversy since Premier Kakfwi created the job for her two years ago.

Sorensen's bad judgement -- she was in on the secret taping of a phone call to the conflict of interest commissioner -- has cost her her territorial government career.

She was wrong to do what she did, and she's now paying the price. Let's hope her resignation lets the government get past the phone taping scandal and onto more important business.

While we don't pity Sorensen -- she made her bed and now she's lying in it -- we do sympathize with the government who now will have to continue operating without her. Her 15-year investment as political advisor to the man who is now premier is nothing to scoff at. As a former MLA and award-winning activist, her experience and connections in the North has been a valuable force that will be hard to replace.

It's clear Stephen Kakfwi will have a tough time filling her shoes. Sorensen, however, will probably survive this quite well.

Her political activism, and back-room strategy sessions, helped re-elect Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

Just last month Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson recognized Sorensen for her outstanding contributions in promoting the equality of women across Canada.

Something tells us, even though she's parting company with the territorial government, it won't be long before she's back in the public eye.

Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger has managed to find his way back into the NWT cabinet.

The former education minister and frequent government critic may find the current political climate is even less hospitable than he remembers it. We wish him luck. Considering the legislative assembly's stormy recent history, he may need it.

Think of it as a sign of the times -- Aklavik unplugged.

Whitehorse-based NorthwesTel Cable, citing costs, is pulling out of Aklavik completely and trying to sell its local cable operations in Tuktoyaktuk, Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope.

But the more remarkable sign of the times is how little fuss the pull-out in Aklavik and sales of the other cable operations are causing with local residents.

NorthwesTel, a Bell Canada company, has worked out a deal with Bell ExpressVu to provide current Aklavik cable subscribers with a free satellite dish.

Welcome, Aklavik, to the beginning of the end of the wired world as the planet unplugs but continues to tune-in.

Those responsible for taking care of Nunavut's wildlife have given polar bear hunters in the Kitikmeot a rather depressing choice. Either accept an immediate moratorium on hunts in the M'Clintock Channel or get used to the idea of another two years of scientific studies.

It's a strange choice. Nunavummiut shouldn't have to give up the chance to collect more information on any species, let alone a population that might be in trouble. After all, the mystery of what's happening to the M'Clintock polar bears is only one among many unknowns when it comes to Nunavut ecology. The only reason it's getting so much attention these days is the hunt is the primary economic engine of Gjoa Haven.

The need for what biologists call "baseline data" on population size, health and behaviour has never been greater. We need to know the who, what, where, when and why for as many species as possible -- before they fall victim to a changing climate, mining projects, pollution and other threats. Such studies just happen to be perfect candidates for incorporating traditional knowledge.

The World Wildlife Fund is lending a hand with studies of sick belugas, char and caribou, which is all well and good. But what we really need is information on how things are supposed to be before they get worse.

The need for such data grows even stronger as Ottawa prepares to pass its Species At Risk Act. Designed to give scientists the tools they need to determine which animals, plants and entire ecosystems need help, the act is decades late in coming, and will be next to useless without an understanding of what's normal in the first place.

Let's not waste any more time before we commit the money and resources necessary to paint a detailed ecological picture of our territory. No one's interests are being served by waiting for the next environmental crisis.

When the Arctic Winter Games torch is lit next March, the circumpolar world will focus its attention on Iqaluit ... and the rest of Nunavut.

But while cultural delegates show off their talents and athletes compete for medals, success of the Games relies on more than just individual and collective excellence. It rides squarely on the Iqaluit organizing committee, its paid workers and scores of volunteers. What happens in Nuuk is important, too, but the Nunavut host committee can only be concerned about things under its control.

The committee and its employees are working hard to lay the groundwork for a memorable week, but they must now turn to the community for the most important building block of success: volunteers.

These unpaid workers will put in hundreds of hours between now and the March 17, and work even harder during the Games themselves. They will put a smiling face on Iqaluit, drive the 57 cars that will shuttle media and delegates to the various venues, direct people to the right stage or sell tickets.

It will be rewarding to be part of ensuring the Games succeed. Beyond that, however, volunteers will build a stronger Iqaluit. They will forge new friendships with their neighbours and strike up lasting relationships with people from around the circumpolar world.

The brochure that organizers are using to drum up the 800 volunteers they will need says it best: "Be part of the Nunavut legacy."

The 400 people who have already signed up recognize the legacy is more than just the $7 million that will be injected into the Iqaluit economy or the beautiful new arena that's already being put to use.

The true legacy is a stronger community that will show all that's good about Iqaluit and Nunavut.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

It was good to see the number of family members who turned out for the Ranger parade in Rankin Inlet this past week.

The pride in becoming a Canadian Ranger is, perhaps, stronger today than at any other time.

These brave men and women help out in many dangerous search-and-rescue attempts. They also help keep Canada strong as a nation. And that's a darn good reason to be proud!

Zero tolerance for animal abuse

No word comes readily to mind to describe the shameful act committed on Maria Quqsuut's dog, Misty, earlier this month. This random violence committed on animals in Rankin Inlet has to stop.

True, not everyone appreciates nor understands the nature of being an animal owner.

And there's nothing wrong with that. However, not understanding why people would want to own animals certainly does not condone the heinous act committed on Misty or other violent acts like it.

Many dog and cat owners come to look upon domesticated animals as part of the family. When violence is committed on their animal, pet owners often feel violated and extremely angry.

We sincerely hope judges cut little slack in handing out sentences to those who wilfully abuse or kill an animal for no reason.

If the acts of violence continue, it's only a matter of time before the violence is escalated by a pet owner who puts revenge above self-control.

Blazing a path

Full marks go out to Fiona and Heather Main of Arviat for signing up to spend seven months in the Katimavik program. The program enables youth to build many interpersonal and career-orientated skills that will be of great future benefit to them.

Katimavik is an option more Kivalliq students should seriously consider. Not only do you learn many useful skills during your tenure, you also travel to some nifty locations and meet plenty of new friends.

And, as Fiona pointed out, Katimavik experience can also help a new graduate make up their mind on choosing a career path to follow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

A snowmobile accident which occurred this past Sunday is a timely reminder of the importance of helmets, and their proper use.

The two young people involved were wearing helmets, but did not have them strapped on properly. As a result, their helmets went flying off, just when they needed them most.

Luckily, both escaped with minor injuries, but this should serve to remind people -- especially youngsters -- that straps aren't on helmets for decoration.

As it happens, for safety reasons Inuvik Town Council recently made it a requirement for those riding bicycles, scooters and in-line skates on sidewalks, roads and town property to wear helmets.

It was pointed out that this bylaw may be hard to enforce, and that the town's bylaw officers have plenty on their plate already. But it was also noted, correctly, that having a bylaw in effect will mean that most people will likely comply most of the time.

This is where leading by example can play a huge role, especially where young people and adults are concerned, as youngsters often take their cue from adults on things like this.

A good compliance rate with this new helmet requirement might also help improve the issue of helmet use by snowmobile users, a requirement that has already been in place.

Town councillors have noted that when bylaw officers try to flag down someone on a snowmobile not using a helmet, they often just speed away. Hopefully those who do this will realize before long that such behaviour is not cool or groovy, it's just flirting with disaster.

And while on the subject of new regulations by town council, drivers should note that in most parts of Inuvik the speed limit is now 35 kilometres per hour.

A milestone is reached

Congratulations are extended to those involved now or in the past with the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The hall is host to a lot of gatherings and programs, and plays a big role within the community.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

It's safe to say most of us don't want to die prematurely. We are therefore very conscientious when it comes to eating contaminated food. So when we initially find out fish from NWT lakes contain mercury, we get an inclination to scratch it off the menu.

The presentations that the contaminants specialists made in Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Jean Marie River and Fort Providence last week were very informative. They let us know there's no reason to be alarmed over mercury in fish or cadmium in caribou, but we should be cautious just the same.

As Erica Myles, of the health protection unit, said we are exposed to contaminants every day. They are in the air, water and soil. Fortunately, our immune systems filter out the vast majority of what little contamination we encounter.

The most telling comparison during the presentation was one involving smokers. People who smoke half a pack of cigarettes a day will inhale a half litre of tobacco tars into their lungs each year. On the other hand, the average person will only consume a teaspoon of contaminants from traditional foods over an entire lifetime. Remember, many store-bought foods contain preservatives, which are also questionable for our health. So the important thing, obviously, is to keep things in perspective. Variety and moderation in our diets is the key.

Also relating to the presentations, bio-chemist Lyle Lockhart showed the audience a book with pictures of a normal-sized, fleshy-coloured fish liver as opposed to another liver that was red and shrunken in size. He explained that fish tend to draw fat from their livers during spawning, causing the liver the shrink and change colour. Small, red livers in fish could also be a sign that they are starving, he noted.

Quite often people make the assumption that anything seemingly abnormal in wildlife is due to pollution, Lockhart said. For example, some people blame oil development activity at Norman Wells as the reason for odd-looking or deformed fish livers, he said.

He makes a point worth remembering. We live in an age when we are wary of industrial activity's effects on the environment. There have been numerous proven incidents worldwide of unscrupulous companies knowingly polluting waterways and land. However, we need samples to be taken and studies to be conducted before we know with certainty what causes apparent defects in wildlife. Unfounded assumptions are just that, unfounded.

Let it snow

The Deh Cho was clobbered with snow early this year. Friday's blizzard added significantly to the already mounting banks. Motorists were getting stuck everywhere. I was a "pushee" and a "pusher" on Friday as I tried to keep the truck on the few streets that were plowed early. It feels good to get a helping hand when it's needed, and equally good to help someone else along.