Yellowknife (Dec 01/04) - A new national study shows that NWT's non-aboriginal residents don't care about aboriginal issues, but most people think the politicians are swell.

Only 22 per cent of non-aboriginals living in the NWT thought improving the quality of life for aboriginal people was a top priority, the survey says.

Michelle Stanners, from the Canadian Unity Council says aboriginal issues are important to a little more than one in five of the NWT's non-aboriginals. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

The numbers are not much higher for Canadians generally at 29 per cent.

Aboriginals in the Territories, however, have a different take on the subject with 73 per cent of aboriginal people polled saying their quality of life should be a top priority.

The survey comes from the Portraits of Canada 2004 study -- conducted by the Canadian Unity Council -- and presented to Yellowknife City Council, Monday night, by Michelle Stanners.

"I don't think Canadians are the least bit aware of what the situation for aboriginal people is," said Stanners.

The Canadian Unity Council bills itself as a non-partisan organization, dedicated to studying public attitudes and Canadian institutions. Most of their funding comes from the federal government.

The survey also says NWT residents are more confident in their political leaders than practically anywhere else in the country.

The Portraits survey reports that 67 per cent of 100 NWT residents polled indicated that they have a "great deal" or "some confidence" in their political leaders.

The only jurisdiction to poll higher for confidence in their leaders was Nunavut at 74 per cent. The lowest was Quebec at 39 per cent.

Northerners' trust in politicians likely boils down to their relative accessibility when compared to those elected in southern jurisdictions, Stanners says.

"They're there, you see them on the street," said Stanners of Yellowknife's -- and the North's -- small-town culture. "People know the people who represent them."

The touchy-feely attitude toward politicians isn't pan-territorial, however. Only 46 per cent of those polled in neighbouring Yukon felt confident in their leadership, she noted.

At the end of her presentation, city councillor Kevin O'Reilly inquired about Northerners' views on taxes.

NWT residents, according to the study, are the least concerned group in the country -- at 47 per cent -- when it comes to paying federal taxes.

"It might help people make up their minds when we are deciding our next budget," said O'Reilly.