This is exactly the kind of thing we have been suggesting that Yellowknife's watering holes get involved in. If you promote something that the public wants to be part of, you will fill your bar.
For years, karaoke has been a popular way for average folks to let it all hang out, singing talent-wise. Make it a bit more organized -- add an element of need-to-be-good -- and, presto!, the Legion has a hit on its hands. Good for them.
Mind you, idol-mania will only last so long. But rather than bellyache about lost revenue because of departed smokers, coming up with innovative ideas (what about more live music?) will keep customers happy.
Fishing is big business in the NWT.
Not so long ago, pollution from another of the North's big businesses -- mining -- all but ended the yearly Baker Creek spawning run of Arctic grayling. Unfortunately, nothing was done to protect these highly-prized sport fish.
Miraculously, these symbols of the North have returned. But again nothing was done to protect the fish, this time from the hoards of less-than-ethical fisher folk.
Last year the Department of Fisheries and Oceans habitat co-ordinator Julie Dahl shrugged off Yellowknifer concerns for the Arctic grayling in Baker Creek, with a terse promise the fish would not receive any "special attention."
Now the federal department has had a change of heart and turned Baker Creek into a catch-and-release fishery for the spring.
This is an ideal solution, the credit for which must go to the Yellowknife-based Fisheries and Oceans staff. It's hard to believe something this practical -- balancing both the needs of the grayling and the sport fishing industry -- could've come from Ottawa.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
Nunavut's political rumour mill has been going all out since Manitok Thompson withdrew from the Liberal Party's nomination race.
And, while the vast majority of it deserves little attention, there are one or two that perk the interest.
The hottest discussion, of course, revolves around why Thompson decided to run as an independent.
There are those who truly believe the Liberal Party's deadline extension was the sole reason behind Thompson's decision to walk away.
Those are the same people who, a few months ago, truly believed Thompson was going to spend the next 10 years sewing up a storm at home in Rankin Inlet.
Then there are the Nunavut Liberal Association members who did not support Thompson's bid, and are gloating up a storm over her change in direction.
To them, the writing was on the wall for Thompson. To their way of thinking, she abandoned ship after realizing there was no way she could wrest the nomination from Nancy Karetak-Lindell.
The problem with this group is, they also believe not winning the Liberal nomination equates to not winning the Nunavut seat in the federal election.
Not only is their logic flawed, but they also grossly underestimate Thompson, which, at this stage of her political career, borders on the unbelievable.
Thompson knew she had a lot of ground to make up on Lindell going into the nomination process.
Maybe she did the math and realized she couldn't win a party nomination, or, maybe, she simply realized her best bet for victory was with an open vote.
We're leaning towards the latter, and the nomination delay was just the public reason Thompson needed to manoeuvre herself into what she perceives as a stronger position.
Little party loyalty
Unlike many parts of Canada, Nunavut has a much lower percentage of voters who cast their ballots for a certain party because their parents did and their parents before them, etc.
In fact, per capita, Nunavut probably has the largest swing vote potential in the country.
Lindell has built a solid track record during her time in Ottawa representing the people of Nunavut.
And, when you add in the margins of victory during her two election wins, you quickly realize just how imposing a political adversary Lindell truly is.
However, to take nothing away from the candidates who came before her, Thompson is definitely Lindell's toughest opponent to date and, if Lindell does prevail, we'd be quite surprised if the margin of victory remained the same.
When it comes to political sure things, remember this -- it wasn't all that long ago when the Tories were the most powerful political party in Canada.
Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum
Similar to the "back-seat driver" syndrome or armchair sports commentator, the million-dollar idea haunts the subconscious and tends to rear its particular head when conversation turns to business.
With the recent property purchase and development visibly underway in town, what an appropriate time to share what, perhaps, is not a literal "million dollar idea," but could be worth so much more in other ways.
Inuvik needs a cinema. I am told that it used to have one but now the space is being used for another business -- more profitable than a movie theatre, I am sure.
So with a perfunctory "that's business," this doesn't sound like much of a million dollar idea. For the most part, movie theatres take a lot of space and with the advent of multi-plex movie houses, the days of the small-town theatre have all but vanished.
Nevertheless, wouldn't it be nice to have a movie theatre here. I can almost smell the popcorn and remember the days when the family would take in an afternoon matinee on weekends.
But these sugar plum day-dreams are just that, unless there is a way to set up a theatre at a low cost.
I am starting to become used to seeing the usual pack of kids standing outside the variety store at midnight on a weekday.
"It's been going on for years," a friend told me and I suppose it will carry on this way in the foreseeable future.
Though not naive to believe that a movie theatre would cure this problem, at least it might provide kids with somewhere else to hang out.
Unlike its southern counterparts, Inuvik's theatre would be affordable -- kids 18 and under would only be charged, say, $2.50 admission and family discounts would be given.
As the weather warms up and events such as the petroleum show, arts festival and music festival approach, what better time than to get the show on the road, so to speak, and plan the town's movie theatre.
While there is sure to be great discussion as to where a good place would be not to put the dog pound and homeless shelter, a movie theatre should be a piece of cake.
And what about the building itself? With the family centre set for completion in the fall, the town will have no use for the tent covering the old pool.
The golf club has expressed interest in obtaining the structure to use as its clubhouse. However, a structure that resembles a big-top circus tent is a much more appropriate enclosure for a theatre. We could call our new theatre Circus of the Stars.
What a great way to welcome next winter than snug inside Inuvik's very own theatre. With a box of popcorn in your hands, let the action on screen take you to another place.
And for what dreams are made of, as the coming pipeline has indicated, if you build it, they will come.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
Should First Nations' governments use the regulatory process to further their political agendas?
That's one question that arises as public hearings on a Mackenzie Valley pipeline take centre stage in Fort Simpson next week.
A recent example: aboriginal groups in the Deh Cho essentially convinced regulators to conduct an environmental assessment on Imperial Oil's winter geo-technical program. That delayed the project for a year.
Although the majority of contracts for the geo-technical work had been awarded to First Nations and their partners, Liidlii Kue First Nation Chief Keyna Norwegian expressed public disappointment that the most lucrative contract went to two companies from Hay River.
Norwegian then went on to say that industry seemed to doubt the First Nation's ability to have the geo-technical program called up for a environmental assessment. That is exactly what occurred, and Norwegian said industry should take note that what the First Nations say is what happens.
The message was implicit. Had Imperial Oil played by the rules that the First Nations set out, a crippling delay by environmental assessment wouldn't have been in the cards.
Now the pipeline itself is on the table.
LKFN councillor Dennis Nelner argues that the First Nations need "a hammer," and the regulatory process is that very tool. It's one means to ensure industry recognizes aboriginal authority and negotiates what is seen as a fair deal by all parties, he says.
Roland Semjanovs, of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, doesn't take kindly to the idea that his organization is being used as a pawn. If that's how the regulatory process is being used, he invited a representative of any group involved to convey that rationale to the review board.
Barring a candid confession to board members next week, Semjanovs acknowledged that the board cannot question every speaker's motives. In all fairness, the First Nations do submit valid questions and concerns on the environmental front. Absolutely they do. But until self government becomes a reality in the Deh Cho, the regulatory process can be a vehicle for aboriginal groups to leverage their positions.
Regardless of the political battle of wills, the average person should still feel free, if not obliged, to add their two cents at next week's hearings. A project of this magnitude doesn't come along very often (this one has been on the drawing board for the past three decades).
See you there.
For those who read this week's Fort Simpson Village Council briefs package, even though Coun. Owen Rowe's name is prominent it's not a sign of favouritism. He was easily the most vocal of the councillors present on Monday evening. The minutes from the meeting will verify that.