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Tlicho communities scored a tremendous victory when they were granted self-government. Part of that agreement gave the Tlicho government power to set legislation for how municipal governments operated, elected their councils and conducted business.

For more than a year the Wekweeti hamlet council has been short three councillors, operating with two councillors and the chief. Unlike other hamlets where vacant council seats can be filled by appointment, Tlicho communities must fill their council seats via election.

Three attempts have been made to hold byelections in the community but each time no one has stepped forward to fill the void.

This is very disappointing. Self-government for the Tlicho people was an important step towards self-determination, coming at the end of a long road burdened by political obstacles.

Now, Tlicho communities must use self-government for the purpose it was intended - to improve Tlicho life.

But democracy cannot function without the participation of the people. If no one steps forward to help lead they might as well have left their fate in the hands of the GNWT and its Department of Municipal Affairs and Community Government.

Citizens of Hay River were irked last week by a description of their town in Lonely Planet's travel guide. The entry painted Hay River as a community that doesn't have a lot to offer. It goes on to say what it does have to offer can be found better showcased in other communities.

Understandably, the community isn't happy with the entry and fear it will drive tourism dollars away.

As a small Northern town, Hay River has amenities that many other communities don't. Its industrial and commercial sector has created a thriving business community complete with many stores, including a fashion boutique and multiple restaurants.

Hay River is the true gateway to the North. As the hub of commerce along the highway, visitors will find it a dynamic community of close-knit neighbours.

There are areas in town where buildings sit empty, remnants of former success. As those structure await a second lease on life they have fallen into disrepair.

These areas are not unique to Hay River. Similar scenes can be found in Yellowknife and Fort Smith. In Yellowknife they are called historic sites, in Fort Smith they are not as predominant.

Perhaps there is more Hay River can do. One uncut jewel is the river running through the town. Visitors often remark they can only catch a glimpse of it through the trees but the high sandy river banks on the way into town are a bone fide tourist attraction.

Maybe Hay River would benefit from better marketing and promoting its golf course, one of the territory's best and a location that received barely a nod in Lonely Planet's harsh description.

It seems odd that such a negative focus was placed on Hay River while the negatives in other communities were either ignored or spun into positives.

It's true that Hay River could do more to improve the look of its problem areas, but Lonely Planet's description is unfair and reads of an overly-negative bias born from bad experience or a hasty visit.

Although overall complaints against the RCMP were down last year, more of those who made complaints chose to do so through the civilian organization that oversees the RCMP rather than the RCMP itself.

This means more Nunavummiut are aware of the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP and its purpose, and this is a good thing.

The commission acknowledges in order for the RCMP to be held truly accountable, the public need to feel free to file a complaint.

Cultural and language barriers impede this. Living in a small, remote community where one encounters the same police officers daily also makes this a difficult thing to do.

It's not surprising many Inuit would have second thoughts about taking a complaint to the local RCMP detachment.

Inuit have historically had a difficult relationship with the RCMP. Police officers were often the sole representatives of the federal government in communities, and as such the responsibility fell on them to implement the misguided and often shortsighted policies of the day.

RCMP officers are also human. Humans have a natural tendency to protect their own and police forces are tight organizations.

Having the RCMP investigate itself leaves it open to accusations of bias.

But many Nunavummiut aren't even aware they can lodge a formal complaint about police conduct.

In last week's issue of Nunavut News/North, one Iqalummiut couple told how RCMP had entered and searched their home without displaying a warrant. They had not filed a complaint with the RCMP or the commission because they were not aware they could.

Obviously the commission and the RCMP have to work harder to make people aware of the existence and role of the complaints procedure.

In the past year, the commission has established an aboriginal outreach program, setting up relationships with six friendship centres across Canada, including the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre in Yellowknife.

Setting up an outreach program in Iqaluit should be its next step.

For the public to trust that complaints have been handled properly, the rulings will have to come from somewhere other than the RCMP. The civilian-run commission should handle all complaints. That must be the next crucial step in the evolution of justice in Canada.

The decision by Health and Social Services to charge all but low-income and aboriginal seniors for Northern medical care was roundly met with opposition last week, with good reason.

Yellowknife is home to a concentration of seniors who will be affected by the changes. Residents of the NWT's next biggest community, Hay River, also voiced their opposition - driving home the point that our elected representatives are in fact not "representing" anyone in particular.

What they appear to be doing is undertaking a plan that will cover the territorial budget deficit at the expense of our oldest citizens.

As MLA for Range Lake in Yellowknife, which neighbours the territorial hospital, Health Minister Sandy Lee should know better than to pass such legislation.

Unfortunately, the health minister did not have a chance to argue the government's case to seniors last week at a meeting organized by the Yellowknife Seniors Society.

Indeed, Lee was asked not to attend out of a fear -- in seniors' society president Blake Lyon's words - that she would become a "lightning rod" to an angry audience. Instead, the only NWT cabinet minister in attendance, Bob McLeod, ended up taking the brunt of criticism.

The meeting proved to be a one-sided session in which several Yellowknife MLAs and a city councillor joined frustrated seniors to rail against Lee and the government, without the benefit of her presence to explain the changes and the rationale behind making them. Not inviting Lee was a baffling decision, suggesting the senior's society was unwilling to hear her arguments, putting priority on complaining rather than pro-active discussion.

Brought into effect over a year ago, the legislation has little chance of being reversed, unless MLAs block the budget.

The supplementary health care benefits program, to be implemented April 1, calls for households of seniors earning less than $40,000 a year to cover all their medical expenses. Seniors made it known at the public meeting last week that it is not possible for them to live on their own anywhere in the territory on $40,000 anyway.

Neighbouring provinces have more complete health care coverage. Our story last fall on an offer by Alberta health care to cover the expenses of a Northern amputee, and the NWT's sudden response to cover that patient at the last minute highlighted this. Does this mean seniors will be forced to move, abandoning their life in the North when they have already committed to staying?

To hit our lifetime residents who have roots here, know the realities of life here relative to the rest of the country, and are ready to give back their lifetime of knowledge, sends a signal that the government is thinking short-term, showing little consideration for the future of the territory.

Staff who worked in Dehcho Hall are almost finished moving their offices into the new government building in Fort Simpson.

As they pack up the last of their work supplies, turn off the lights and close their office doors one last time it's also a cue for the rest of Fort Simpson to say goodbye to the building. Dehcho Hall has had a 50-year history in the community during which time it touched the lives of nearly every resident in some capacity, but it's time to let the building go.

While the demolition orders haven't been signed yet, hopefully they won't be too long in coming. This sounds harsh, but it's the kindest, and most practical, way for the hall to end its service.

The Department of Public Works and Services has a disposal policy to follow that will decide what happens to the building next. The building will be offered to any government department or agency that's interested in running and occupying it. Considering that some government staff have been clamoring to leave Dehcho Hall for years, no one is likely to speak up.

The building will then be offered to the public. Over the years there have been a number of ideas about how the hall could be utilized. At one point the idea of a technical trade school was even bandied about.

Although many organizations would like to have the space that Dehcho Hall offers, few likely have the necessary funds to purchase the building, complete the necessary renovations and pay the operating costs. Closing the building is a better option than having it slowly slip into a state of disrepair.

A decision about the hall's end needs to be reached quickly.

One option that should be avoided is having the building sit vacant for any extended period of time. The structure would undoubtedly become a magnet for vandalism. The exterior of the building would become littered with a variety of tags and some enterprising people would probably also find a way inside.

The building has had a long history and has avoided the death knell many times. In 2003 closure was slated for 2006. Although a bit delayed, the end has finally come.

The hall will be remembered by residents of Fort Simpson and the Deh Cho region for a variety of reasons.

For some it's linked with happy memories of graduation ceremonies, pancake breakfasts, favourite library books and children's programs. For others the hall still provides flashbacks to the time when it was called Lapointe Hall and served as a residence for children attending school in the village.

Whatever mix of memories people link the hall with, it's time to lay them to rest along with the building. Dehcho Hall has provided a long history of service to the community but it's time to let it go.

It seems that our youth are getting a chance to vent their frustrations and give the rest of the North an update on their situation.

It was brought to my attention that on Feb. 2, youth from Inuvik will be given airtime on CKLB radio for a two-hour discussion that will touch on topics such as drug and alcohol abuse, bullying and other hot topics that are affecting our young people.

This could not come at a better time, for many reasons. We're nearing the end of the fiscal year, with many organizations and businesses looking for ideas on how to spend next year's budget.

It's prime time for youth groups to lobby for sponsors and gain some exposure for their programming.

Kudos to the Inuvik Youth Centre, CKLB and all other organizations that are putting this event together.

It's the support from groups like these that pushes the issues forward.

Without an open forum for discussions, how will we hear what the youth are saying?

As a generation, they seem to have clammed up, mostly speaking among themselves, taking on their own responsibilities and taking charge of their own lives.

While it's good that younger generations are bonding together and eliminating peer pressure and bullying, it's equally important that older generations also be in the loop.

As hard as it can be to hear, there are still many barriers that exist between the adults of the town and the school-treading folk.

During the upcoming radio forum, I want to hear the young voices expressing their distaste for the wicked ways of the older generations.

If they have a gripe with the way things are, the only thing to do is talk about it and seek change.

The times are changing and we must change accordingly.

I encourage all parents and adults alike to tune into that broadcast, because it should serve to be an eyeopener for anyone who don't believe how in-tune our youth are.

Not only are younger people in our community seeing what we do, they are also starting to take up our bad habits.

Even though the kids of our community are about to blow the whistle on our lifestyles and society, it's not too late to work for a solution.

As stated earlier, I'm eager to hear how youth will take advantage of such an opportunity.

We could be on the cusp of a new age, one without boundaries. Imagine a world where everyone was honest with each other and was considerate of others' feelings.

The youth of Inuvik are on a roll as of late, so let's support them to keep the momentum for the rest of the year.

Cigarillos have become trendy among Canadian youth - and Yellowknife is no exception. The same size and shape as cigarettes, they come in sweet, fruity flavours and have catchy names.

The Alberta/NWT division of the Canadian Cancer Society's (CCS) latest campaign aims to turn people - particularly young smokers - away from cigarillos.

One brand of cigarillos, Prime Time, is sold individually, retailing at less than $2 per cigarillo. With the low price, plus packaging that somehow escaped Health Canada's warning signs, they are an attractive alternative for youth who don't want to - or can't afford - an entire pack of cigarettes.

Qui Phon, owner of Reddi-Mart on 50 Street, said the cigarillos are kept behind the curtain with all other tobacco products. She said as far as she knows, youth haven't been into the shop looking for them.

But somehow these products - which come with no warnings - are still making their way into the hands of under-aged Yellowknifers.

Now, these youth aren't stupid.

They know the risks involved with smoking. But with a product like Prime Time cigarillos, packaged like candy and as cheap to buy, it's easy to underestimate the risks involved.

Why are there large, graphic images of cancerous lungs and rotten teeth on packages of cigarettes but nothing visible on cigarillo packages?

Health Canada needs to treat all tobacco products equally and ensure prominent warning labels appear where they are needed - on ALL cancer causing tobacco products.

Even if one doesn't believe in climate change, it's hard to imagine even the most gas-guzzling of drivers will continue running their vehicles needlessly for hours at a time after all the carbon-neutral talk.

There are two reasons for that: First, the horrible shock last year when gas pump prices in Yellowknife pushed past $1.60 a litre.

Secondly, because of city council's efforts to beef up the city's idling bylaw.

Even if some drivers disagree with council, people are bound to think before letting their vehicle sit there and belch away their hard-earned dollars.

Coun. Kevin Kennedy recently asked municipal enforcement whether it was possible to attach information about greenhouse gas emissions and idling impacts to warnings bylaw officers tack onto idling vehicles. Such information will probably do more to reduce idling than the threat of tickets.

It remains to seen how issuing fines will result in compliance when it's -40 C. Enforcement will not be easy. How many people have been fined for littering under the littering bylaw? We do expect more drivers will avoid wasting gas when it's say, only -20 C.

Kennedy complains that the warnings look too much like parking citations. That's not a bad thing. People will be grateful to discover it's just a warning. That will encourage them to take note they were caught idling. To avoid a real in ticket in future, they had best to turn that ignition off.

It's not often we use this space for a little told-you-so, but in this case we're willing to make an exception.

It was only a few short years ago I wrote in this space that it wouldn't be long before the Northwest Passage became a viable - and ultra-lucrative - shipping lane, which would add as much value to our tundra turf as the riches in gas, oil and minerals believed to be under us.

A day was coming when sabres would rattle and hard-hitting questions would arise concerning Canada's claim to the Arctic.

The number of readers took the time to guffaw at my notion on the passage, while even more let me know the international community recognizes Canada's claim to the Arctic and its waters.

Today, federal Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon tells us our Arctic sovereignty is under no threat, even if some guy named President George W. Bush took a swipe at our claim as one of his final acts as leader of the most powerful military nation on the planet.

Then there's the European Union, which certainly hasn't been acting like it recognizes, let alone supports Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic lately.

Our friendly neighbours to the south have long felt the Northwest Passage is open to all, and they've been eyeballing energy resources in the Arctic for just as long.

Now Mr. Bush wants to see the States increase its presence in the North.

But no worries, says Cannon, because the good old U.S.A. still asks for permission before entering our waters.

Then again, vampires have to wait for an invitation to enter a home too.

The European Union shares the U.S.A.'s opinion on the passage and wants access to Arctic resources decided by agencies, not by anything so mundane as simply living here.

But there's still nothing to worry about, as we're going to have a sit down and lay out the what's-what with the U.S.A., Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark and a big cuddly bear named Russia which isn't in hibernation anymore.

And, don't forget, it wasn't all that long ago we sailed out to a couple of little frozen islands in warships way more powerful than the average American canoe and brazenly planted our Canadian flag (that ought to show them, eh?).

The feds have to stop the wishful thinking and step up Canada's efforts to protect our Arctic sovereignty, both with an increased military presence and by investing more in Nunavut and the NWT.

In case the feds haven't noticed lately, our world is in resource, economic and political turmoil these days. Simply having a relative few thousand of us hearty souls living in the neighbourhood just won't cut it anymore.

We need to get bigger and stronger in the North, and we need stronger industrial ties to the south - and we need them soon. If not, the annual sealift may take on a whole different meaning.

And we may have difficulty understanding our new Northern kinsfolk, what with their European accents, southern drawls and all.

Maybe it's time for the feds to seriously rattle that around for a while.