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The suggestion that a remote section of Wood Buffalo National Park could be converted into a whooping crane viewing area is one worth pursuing.

Such a site could attract far-flung bird watchers who would flock to the area to catch a glimpse of the rare species.

The important thing to remember, however, is these birds are rare and protection should be paramount. Back in the 1940s the whooper was on the brink of extinction. Loss of habitat caused by the destruction of prairie wetlands to make way for agriculture all but wiped out the birds. At the time the migratory flock was estimated at a mere 15 birds.

As a prime case study for human-caused extinction, the American and Canadian governments signed an agreement that led to the development of a national recovery plan.

It's a plan that has shown tremendous success. In 2004, the migratory population had jumped to 213 birds and last week News/North reported that number to have grown to a new high of 266.

Human intervention has been a key component to the birds' rebound and a testament to the whooping crane's versatility.

Non-human threats such as hurricane Katrina, which luckily killed only three captive whooping cranes, but could have been much worse, demonstrates how vital it is to reduce threats to the birds.

In that vein, developing the birds nesting area into a tourist attraction must be done after careful review. A review that is conducted with the protection of the whooping crane as its foundation.

Presently, the whooping crane nesting area is in a section of Wood Buffalo National park closed to the public. Rightly so, according to the Government of Canada website, Wood Buffalo National Park is the last remaining natural nesting site for whooping cranes.

Careful study should analyze what affect any human presence will have on this sensitive and up-to-now isolated nesting site.

If it is deemed that controlled human activity in the area will not have a detrimental affect on the birds then perhaps creating a viewing area could benefit both the birds and NWT tourism.

Raising awareness about the plight of the whooping crane can only help to rally more people to the cause of protecting the birds' population.

The NWT has an important responsibility as the last refuge of the whooping crane. It is a calling we must treat with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

Five more nurses have graduated from Arctic College, bringing the total number of Nunavut-trained nurses to 18 since the program began five years ago.

Each is a treasure more precious to the territory than gold or diamonds.

As one graduate observed, Inuktitut-speaking nurses can interact with elders without translators, lessening the risk of misunderstandings.

However, the number of graduates from the program is not enough to meet the nursing needs of Nunavut. In addition, the college has had problems staffing teaching positions in the program.

There are endless hurdles to be surmounted by Nunavummiut on the journey from grade school to a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Students in the rigorous academic program in Iqaluit may be far from home, holding down jobs and raising families. They may be the first in their families to attend post-secondary schooling.

Each graduate deserves congratulations and thanks for making this great effort and these sacrifices in order to serve Nunavummiut.

What goes up must come down.

The law of gravity may soon apply to beverage containers in Nunavut. Pilot recycling programs are in progress in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, and another is now underway in the Kitikmeot.

It seems nonsensical that so much money and energy goes into transporting so much packaging north to Nunavut, only for it to wind up in a landfill on the tundra.

It makes more sense to ship it back south from whence it came. Ironically, one of the biggest obstacles to doing so is the cost of shipping, something which didn't seem to be a barrier when it came to bringing up cases upon cases of pop and beer. The Government of Nunavut should use its influence in negotiating recycling shipping terms with barging companies, which vie for lucrative sealift contracts.

There is currently an incentive in place that pays people five cents for each can turned in for recycling. A deposit system will require legislation, which Nunavut plans to have in place by 2010.

Recycling programs take time, energy and money, but they pay off by extending landfill life by diverting waste and the reuse of valuable metal resources.

We hope people in the Kitikmeot embrace recycling like the people in Rankin Inlet have done.

There are a few things that summers in the Deh Cho and the rest of the Northwest Territories are particularly good for. One of these items is construction.

As soon as warmer weather rolls around, construction projects ranging from home renovations right up to entire buildings kick into gear. With only so many suitable months available in the North, contractors donÕt waste any time getting down to work.

Around the Deh Cho, construction projects are blooming like flowers. The largest is arguably the Deh Cho Bridge project on the Mackenzie River near Fort Providence.

The progress being made on that site can be seen daily as heavy equip- ment and workers set the stage for the construction of four piers.

In Fort Simpson work is ongoing on the new territorial government building. There is also a giant trench working its way down 99 Street and around to 100A Avenue as the village tackles its major summer project of replacing sewer mains.

In other Deh Cho communities there are undoubtedly other projects also underway. With all these construction pro- jects on the go, the summer is also a very good time to recognize the importance of training Deh Cho residents to work in the trades.

Construction projects canÕt move forward unless they have skilled trades people ranging from electricians to welders, carpenters to plumbers.

The importance of training in the trades is being recognized by the Deh Gah GotÕie Koe First Nation in Fort Providence.

The band is taking steps to ensure that its members have every opportunity to apply for the jobs on the Deh Cho Bridge project.

Many of the jobs, however, require skilled labourers including welders and carpenters. Most of the band members who have that kind of training already have jobs in other areas, said Moe Barriere, the economic development officer for the band.

Barriere said heÕs trying to convince some members who live out- side of the community they could return and live in Fort Providence for three years while the bridge is under construction.

The shortage of tradespeople is also evident in Fort Simpson. With so many projects underway at once the smaller ones are finding it difficult to attract the workers they need.

Anyone who is looking for a career path with a bright future neednÕt look any farther than the construction projects in the Deh Cho. While the Dehcho First Nations talk about building capacity to manage selfgovernment, the whole region also needs to consider promoting the trades.

The Deh Cho needs to build its capacity in this area so that residents can reap the benefits of job opportunities on projects being built in their communities.

How much can one take before being pushed off the edge of rationality? Only days after writing an editorial about irresponsible kids and their spray-can habits, I'm hunched over a keyboard, sweating out my frustrations about the state of this community.

Last week, I actually read online that people were being shooed away from coming to Inuvik because of the reckless behaviour of our kids. Samuel Hearne secondary school was hit again by a group of unknown vandals.

This time, the damage is in the neighbourhood of $50,000. That number is an early estimate and I'm sure the final tally will be staggering.

If you haven't seen what those criminals did to the shop class, music room and foyer, be thankful. For someone who grew up respecting that institution and eventually graduated from there, it honestly hurt me to walk through the school after the damage was done.

When I got in, there had already been three days of cleaning crews in and out of the site, taking out debris and trashed materials. What a bloody shame, that we have a community so keen on development and growth, but it has such a pathetic foundation of family values.

I took a drive down by the school a few weeks ago, when the crews were busy boarding up the windows for the summer -- a safeguard against broken windows and unlawful entrances.

Poor Samuel Hearne, why do you have such a bum rap? Maybe the youth of today, armed with their wikipedias and online information, don't like what Sam Hearne did with his life and are taking it out on his namesake school.

Probably not, though. I think we've got some kids with some real issues that might not end so quietly next time.

Our community is celebrating its 50th anniversary next week and we're wasting resources on cleaning up after some juvenile delinquents? Just like the workers who spent all week scrubbing paint stains, or picking up shattered glass, I'm extremely upset about this situation.

I shuddered when I walked into the new music room at the school, because I covered the story when they got all their new instruments in from the south. Now, what will become of the community band, or the coffeehouses or the music course?

It's a shame for those who were actually getting good at their new skill, because now it's most likely delayed or even worse, cancelled. I'm sure the school board is going to be reluctant to purchase all those expensive pieces again.

Going deeper into the problem with our misguided kids, I keep coming back to the feelings of resentment and jealousy. The kids responsible for this need some serious help with their growing social issues.

Town council was going to look at revising the curfew at its meeting on Wednesday night.

Something has to be done.

There was a lot of misplaced frustration taken out on poor old Sam Hearne school this month.

For shame, Inuvik, for shame.

While there's still a way to go before Oct. 27, there are some interesting rumours floating about concerning Nunavut's upcoming general election.

And there are some skirmish lines already drawn.

Legendary hockey coach Toe Blake once said, "Predictions are for Gypsies," and that quote often holds better for politics than sports.

That being said, the political dominoes could fall in such a way this coming October that Nunavummiut will remember 2008 as the year a group of female candidates took control of a number of major positions within the territorial government.

As with most organizational conjecture, there's no better place than at the top.

The rumour mill is running red hot with speculation concerning Iqaluit Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik's designs on earning a place in history by becoming Nunavut's first female premier.

I'd be the last person to suggest Premier Paul Okalik would shy away from a fight.

But not knowing which riding Sheutiapik may be considering, her potential candidacy could be the reason behind the rumours of Okalik leaving the Iqaluit West riding and running in Pangnirtung.

Things won't be any easier for Kugluktuk incumbent Joe Allen Evyagotailak if Millie Kuliktana decides to seek his seat in October.

The executive director for Kitikmeot School Operations has 20 years of experience in the field of education, and is renowned for her organizational skills and straight-forward approach to dealing with issues.

Keith Peterson in Cambridge Bay is another male incumbent who may be in for a tough battle if Michelle Gillis decides to throw her hat into the territorial battle.

The first female to be elected as Cambridge mayor, Gillis has strong connections to the New Democratic Party (NDP) through serving on its federal council representing the Nunavut riding and helping in the formation of the NDP Aboriginal Commission.

Closer to home, the worst-kept secret in the Kivalliq this past year was Rankin Inlet Mayor Lorne Kusugak's plan to contest Levinia Brown's riding of Rankin South/Whale Cove.

If that battle does come to fruition, it may be one of the more interesting ones.

Brown has held a number of important profiles during her tenure and is widely respected among Nunavut's female population.

Rankin voters who support Premier Okalik would also, in all probability, support Brown through association.

Kusugak, on the other hand, is one of the most popular mayors in Rankin history and is highly regarded by both the working class and the community's elders.

The deciding factor in this riding could very well turn out to be the Whale Cove vote.

On the ghosts of elections past front, Jack Anawak is rumoured to be looking at Steve Mapsalak's Akulliq seat, while Joe Kaludjak has not ruled out running in one of the two Rankin ridings.

And to top it all off, one John Todd has apparently been approached about returning to Rankin and offering his services in the October election.

All in all, Nunavut's 2008 election could turn out to be one for the ages.