Paul Falvo of Ecology North says he felt "slighted" earlier this month when the Yellowknife River Resorts Ltd. didn't show up at a public forum hosted by the environmental group on Twin Pine Hill.

"I gave up my night and came out in the rain to talk about this and the people benefitting from it aren't here," he complained.

We thought Northerners were made of tougher stuff.

Fact is, city council approved the Twin Pine Hill development in principle last July 22. A required public hearing was held, the proper zoning is in place and the land transfer approved. All that remains is for a development permit to be issued. Ecology North's forum was too little, too late.

It was also, frankly, misguided. Yellowknife River Resorts Ltd., an aboriginal consortium made up equally of the Denendeh Development Corporation, Deton'Cho Corporation, North Slave Metis Holdings and Nishi Khon Enterprises Ltd., plans to put a much-needed $25-million resort with 160 guest rooms atop Twin Pine Hill. Land, incidentally, the city risked losing control of through a land claim by the Yellowknives Dene if the resort didn't get the green light.

It is to be called 'Sihka,' which means 'on top of the hill' in Dogrib. Seven hectares of the majestic hill of rock and pine will be left in a wilderness state, while five hectares will be used for the resort and other related development.

An adjacent convention/ conference centre, desperately needed in Yellowknife, and an aboriginal business service centre may follow the hotel on the site.

Let's be honest about this: Yellowknife is a town built on gold.

The mines that have been the lifeblood of the non-aboriginal community have occupied rich Dene lands since the mid-1930s.

Where is the justice if we attempt to stand in the way of the Yellowknives Dene enjoying their own economic benefits with Sihka?

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

There are times we hear news from outside the North and don't realize how quickly it's going to impact us.

Sometimes the event is so extreme, such as 9-11, we know almost instantly we're going to feel the aftershock and be impacted for a long time to come.

Other times, the reality of the situation can take longer to materialize.

Such was the case this past week when it was announced a cow in Alberta had been stricken with mad cow's disease.

Those involved with Nunavut's fur industry know how quickly, and to what extent, the U.S.A. can react to what it perceives as a negative or dangerous situation.

Almost immediately after the news broke, the Americans were turning back all meat products that come from cud-chewing animals -- and that includes caribou.

There were reports of as many as 300 transport trucks loaded with beef products being turned back from the U.S. A. border on May 21.

And, the Kivalliq wasn't spared from the move.

Kivalliq Arctic Foods Ltd. manager Brian Schindel had a U.S.A.-bound shipment of caribou meat valued at about $34,000 stopped before it reached the border.

The Rankin Inlet-based company, supplied by the annual Southampton caribou harvest, has a number of shipments scheduled for the U.S.A. during the next few months.

Hopefully, the investigation into the life of the affected cow will conclude swiftly, with positive results.

The last thing the Kivalliq needs is to have its fragile economy undermined.

However, that being said, you can't blame the Americans for their diligence on this issue.

An outbreak of mad cow disease can devastate a country's livestock.

The images of animal destruction are still fresh in most people's minds concerning the outbreak that severely crippled England's beef exports.

While the odds of Kivalliq caribou being affected by this disease are remote at best, better to err on the side of caution than to gamble with the disease.

In fact, this scenario could actually play out to the Kivalliq region's advantage.

The news of tainted beef strikes terror into the hearts and minds of people almost immediately.

And, even if this one cow turns out to be an isolated incident, there's no doubt a good percentage of the population will be stricken with beef paranoia.

So, fellow Canadians, why not try a little pristine Arctic caribou while refraining from that porterhouse steak?

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

On my trip to Dawson City last week, I seemed to arrive as just the city was waking from its winter hibernation.

Unlike my previous visit, two months ago, the boardwalks were now bouncing with tourists, miners and hundreds of seasonal workers.

Locked out of the mine ministers meeting, I ambled around eateries and watering holes to talk with locals about the state of the Yukon economy.

At this time of year, it's obvious the city booms on tourism, but the dollars are scant for most whose jobs barely pay the rent. Any money saved over the summer only flies south for the winter.

The people who live there all year long, however, rely on the industries that can sustain life through the long winters.

As one miner put it, the DFO, the Sierra Club and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society will argue that the tourist industry will replace any jobs lost through stringent environmental guidelines, but it's just not so. A family can't survive on even two wages from a retail shop or restaurant.

He said they're tired of having outsiders run their show and who can blame them?

Forestry, mining and fossil fuel jobs can provide that, but those jobs have environmental risks and that doesn't sit well with environmental groups who don't live there.

Based on no new science, the DFO pulled the rug out from under the placer mining industry in a territory that has been struggling to get back to work for years.

I'm sure the irony isn't lost on the Yukon's government or the residents. They fought with one federal department for 10 years to get devolution, only to have the guts ripped out of the economy by another department.

It's one thing to have resource revenue sharing, but what good is it if there's no resource?

The NWT and Nunavut can take a lesson from what's happened in the Yukon. Devolution does not mean you've won the war; only the battle.

Temperature and temperament

In this line of work, you notice the change in people that comes with the change in seasons. I spent much of Sunday afternoon in the park and had many laughs making pictures and talking with people enjoying the warm sun.

Walking down main street Tuesday afternoon, I was met with smiles and laughs. Six months ago, I would have found more muffled grumbles and groans through the fur of a parka hood.

We're all glad that the sunshine's back, but I think I'm a little happier than most, because that sunshine makes your faces look a lot better in pictures and makes getting a cheerful response so much easier. Get out and enjoy it now, Inuvik, because it won't be long and we'll be fending off the bugs!

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum

What if all elected leaders answered all questions, hypothetical or otherwise?

That would come as a relief to journalists and probably to most readers, viewers, listeners and constituents in general. There seems to be a trend developing that any reporter who dares utter the words, "What if ..." receives this response from an elected official: "I'm not answering hypothetical questions."

Granted, interviews with a politicians should not be riddled with speculative queries, but sometimes there are germane issues that could arise. Do elected officials honestly believe that people aren't wondering about those possible scenarios?

By simply dismissing all hypothetical questions, politicians are managing to stay out of hot water but they are doing a disservice to the public, who deserve to know where the politician stands.

We're on the cusp of a very busy election period. So here are a couple of questions, one of them hypothetical, that every eligible voter should feel free to ask candidates: "Would you be willing to answer a hypothetical question? What if you don't get my vote in the next election?"

Caution needed

With a multitude of grass fires cropping up and forest fires making an early appearance in the Deh Cho, it would be wise for all residents to limit burning, particularly on windy days.

With the Victoria Day long weekend having passed, camping season is now upon us. As we approach campground exits, we see signs questioning whether we checked to be sure our campfires are completely extinguished. With things already being so dry, double checking those fires is doubly impoPlanning for firesrtant.

It's been several years since the Deh Cho region has had a severe forest fire season. It's next to impossible to predict what is in store for this summer but early indications are that it could be an above-average one.

At the Fort Simpson Village Council meeting on Tuesday, Coun. Andrew Gaule raised a valid point in regards to fires. While the discussion revolved around updating the village's emergency plan for flooding, Gaule urged that priority be given to scrutinizing emergency measures in case the community is threatened by a forest fire.

With only one road in and out of the community, there could be dire consequences if a raging fire blocked the route. There may only be so much that could be done in such a grave situation, but it would be best if the emergency fire plan is dealt with pronto.