It's good to see the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce taking such a keen interest in our city's schools.

The chamber's education committee recently announced at a meeting of realtors and mining officials that we're in for a major crunch if another school isn't built within the next three years.

The chamber's logic comes with the news that between 500 to 700 new housing units could be constructed by the year 2005.

True, our schools are pretty full. Our elementary schools are now sitting between 85 and 90 per cent capacity and our high schools are full. According to statistics, Sir John is at 100 per cent and St. Pat's at 92 per cent.

When you do the math, it certainly appears that the need for more classrooms could very well be in the cards.

But is it, as the chamber notes, "very, very, urgent" to rush out and build another school?

First of all, how many of these new residents, who will be living in these new housing units, even have families? How many workers, who now find it cheaper to fly south for their two weeks out, are going to put down roots in Yellowknife with its high cost of living?

With some families already eyeing Fort Smith and Hay River, due to low lot prices, how many more will follow in that direction?

Finally, if it's a simple case of more housing needed for the hundreds of diamond mine workers, single or married, who need a place to park their boots for their two weeks out, why would we need more schools?

It's obvious the chamber represents business and industry and those in the construction industry would like nothing more than another multi-million dollar school to work on. We, too, would like to see our city grow.

Don't get us wrong, the chamber's plan to set up a public forum for industry and the school boards for May to discuss this is an important first step. But until we have answers to exactly who is all coming to live here, we should be cautious.

Let's do the math.

The Northwest Territories Arts Council will get $140,000 during the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The Native Communication Society will receive $100,000 for Dene language programming. Community museums? Try $186,000. Cultural projects that "contribute for the promotion and preservation of cultural identity and enhancement of traditional cultures" stand to receive $61,000.

Compare that to the Living History Society's $250,000 plan to celebrate Aboriginal Day. It proposed to do a video, host a symposium and bring Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson to Yellowknife to "examine the evolution of the Northwest Territories over the last 25 years." The video and symposium would cost $100,000. The rest would go for security and "protocol" for Clarkson's visit.

The proposal bypassed the normal funding route, going directly to the deputy premier's desk. According to the legislature's standing committee on accountability and oversight, there was no formal proposal, only a brief outline of initiatives planned by this society.

"Members wondered if we might be accused of preferential treatment for this group when other non-government organizations have to follow a much more rigorous process to acquire government funds," the committee reported.

The fact that the premier's wife, Marie Wilson, came up with the idea and is key member of the society demands the proposal go through regular channels.

Wilson is a journalist with solid credentials, however, her relationship to the territory's most powerful politician means the proposal must not only lack favouritism, but must appear to lack favouritism. In politics, appearance is everything.

There are enough concerns that the project should be withdrawn from consideration for funding for this year.

And if the society does re-apply, consider the fact that when the NWT Arts Council awards grants, the maximum is $14,000, or 10 per cent of the council's annual budget.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

News from Community Government and Transportation Minister Manitok Thompson that the artificial ice project for Rankin Inlet will proceed is being welcomed with enthusiasm in the community.

Rankin has been fighting for artificial ice to serve the entire Kivalliq region for years.

The community has an unbridled passion for hockey, as can be witnessed by the sold-out houses during tournaments and the crowds who gather to witness local mens recreational play -- even when games don't begin until after 10 p.m.

Rankin senior administrator Ron Roach is bang on when he says the hamlet's commitment of labour and heavy equipment to the project is a significant one. Still, the hamlet should make every effort to provide some capital towards the project if, as Roach says, finances warrant it this summer.

There was, at one time, a slush fund of sorts put aside by the hamlet to be used towards the installation of artificial ice. That money is no longer available.

The hamlet received an insurance settlement in 1997 when one of its older garages burned down.

The insurance money was put into a special fund that was supposed to be used for the creation of artificial ice.

There was nothing inappropriate concerning the evaporation of that money long before it could be used for artificial ice.

The "slush fund" had to be used for other purposes when poor management from previous administrations left the hamlet hurting for cash. Council was forced to use whatever available cash it could access to maintain its operations and, unfortunately, that meant no artificial ice.

The past and present council has done an admirable job turning the hamlet's financial situation into a respectable one. In fact, land development debenture aside, the turnaround has been nothing short of impressive.

That being said, there will be, no doubt, naysayers to the artificial ice project.

And, although the hamlet's contribution to the project is already considerable, council can go a long way towards silencing the naysayers once and for all with some form of capital investment into the project.

In view of the fact the original slush fund had to be used to right a listing financial ship instead of the purpose for which it was originally intended -- a token financial contribution to the project would not only be a wise move by council, it would be the right thing to do.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

The Midnight Sun Recreation Complex arena was the place to be Sunday evening.

Not only were the "A" and "B" finals of the IRC Native Hockey Tournament exciting, but the hundreds of fans provided great atmosphere as well. Loud cheers for both sides rang out, which was good to see, and it's fairly safe to say all those present had a good time.

Congratulations to the organizers and, of course, to the EGT team, who captured the "A" title for the third straight year.

Golden moment

Speaking of great hockey, Sunday's Olympic men's hockey final was terrific.

The game was superb, and the ending ideal.

Many Canadians were not even born the last time this country snared the Olympic gold medal in this event, so most would agree it was high time to do so again.

Delta fans were among those caught up in the anxiety leading up to the game, and they shared in the ensuing excitement. Many agree the event is quite significant for the sake of the pride of Canadians, and for the sake of the sport too.

It provided one of those moments Delta residents will be able to recall and cherish for decades, along with other Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Farewell

It has been a fun ride but it is time for me to sign off as editor with The Drum.

Since I came up here in June 2000, I have covered lots of meetings and games and conducted quite a few interviews.

I have visited Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic and, in the summer of 2000, journeyed to Tuktoyaktuk to cover the visit there by the St. Roch II.

For the first time I have experienced what it is like to have sunlight around the clock, and then go a long stretch without it.

That has been quite interesting, as have been the various situations where I have learned about the cultures and unique ways of life within the Delta.

What I will remember most about my time with the paper, though, is the people I have met along the way. Many have been quite helpful and while I can not thank you all individually, I wish to express my appreciation nonetheless. You made my job a lot easier.

Mussi cho.

Special week being marked

Local youth are helping to mark Scout/Guide Week.

Both are very worthwhile organizations, and there are clubs spread out all over the world.

From the time I have spent around the local groups, the youngsters seem to learn a lot of useful information while having a lot of fun along the way.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

Having committed and effective chiefs comes at a price, but how much is too much?

First Nations in the Deh Cho have a finite number of dollars, obviously. How those dollars are earmarked is up to each band.

It is true that leaders of small communities still have fundamental issues to deal with such as education, power, water, medical services and on and on. Chiefs in larger communities, on the other hand, often have staff assigned to oversee such issues. However, chiefs in larger communities have more demands placed on their time by the greater number of band members with various concerns.

If First Nations leaders opt to create a salary grid and divide community funding in a way they find more equitable, so be it.

The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is increasing band-support funding by 20 per cent over the next four years, freeing up more funds. In that time, the Deh Cho will continue to move closer to self-government and, ostensibly, self-sufficiency.

What appears questionable is paying salaried chiefs $300 daily indemnities to attend DCFN leadership meetings when expenses such as travel and accommodations are already covered. That indemnity money must come from funds that could be applied to other programs and services in Deh Cho communities.

How much will First Nations band members stand to bear?

Not a bad idea

Granted, the timing stinks, but the idea of renaming Virginia Falls after Pierre Elliott Trudeau is worth serious consideration.

Unfortunately the suggestion comes on the heels of a failed effort to arrive at a new name for the Northwest Territories. At this point, the mention of renaming anything is generally met with the rolling of eyes or the shaking of heads. However, if aboriginal people do not object (and that's a very important factor), it's a proposal that has some merit.

Although his legacy has been debated, Trudeau, the flamboyant leader of this country for nearly 16 years, has earned a place in the hearts and minds of most Canadians. That become obvious with his death in Sept. 2000. He had a real affinity for Nahanni country. Naming the falls in his honour would be an appropriate gesture.

Antoine is right, the publicity generated by the deed would surely translate into increased tourism, likely thousands of extra people. Of course with park restrictions on the number of visitors per season, tourists would have to plan carefully if they were all bent on touring Nahanni.

It would not be a tourism panacea. There is still much work to be done to promote the Deh Cho properly, but renaming the falls would result in a good return on what little it would cost to file an application. And, just as importantly, it would be a tribute to a man who helped preserve a magnificent natural wonder.