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Yellowknife Catholic trustees will hunker down later this month to mull their options now that they've lost an appeal of a court decision allowing non-Catholics to run in board elections.

The speculation is that they will take their case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. The other, smarter option is to call it a day and get back to focusing on providing their students with quality education.

Their ongoing battle with the territorial government over the non-Catholic trustee issue has proved to be a needless distraction that overshadows the board's good work - once the envy of Yellowknife.

Up until the fall of 2006, when the Catholic board, led by former chairperson Shannon Gullberg, attempted to shut out non-Catholic candidates, there was barely a blip of bad news coming from the Catholic school district.

Parents, both Catholic and non-Catholic, raved about their programs. Enrolment was literally through the roof and the district's budget was deep in the black.

Today's news describes falling enrolment, cuts to teachers, bitter bickering between themselves and the public school district and the territorial government. The current board may argue these setbacks have nothing to do with their court challenge but the fact is the court case shaped public perception of a board more concerned about a person's religion rather than quality of education, Catholic or otherwise.

Even worse, their stubbornness in insisting on only Catholic participation on the board has given Michael Miltenberger, the cabinet minister planning to merge education boards, his strongest playing card.

Catholic trustees should ask themselves: Is their district better off today than it was in 2006? Back then, even with a non-Catholic trustee on the board, no was telling them they couldn't practice their religion.

How ironic will it be then if Miltenberger uses the decision that came about as a result of their lawsuit as an excuse to scrap their board altogether.

On Dec. 22, the temperature in Yellowknife ranged between -20 C and -30 C. That day, Turk Chan and a handful of other people waited 45 minutes at the bus stop at Stanton Territorial Hospital before realizing the bus wouldn't pick them up.

They didn't know the schedule had been changed for the holidays, and to avoid throwing the schedule off by five minutes, the hospital stop was skipped.

How many others were left out in frigid temperatures waiting on buses that wouldn't show up? Public works did advertise the new schedule on the radio and online, but the simplest method of communicating the change - putting a sign up at the stop - was never done.

It is jaw-dropping that despite all the money the city pays consultants to make the bus system better, such a simple step was overlooked.

That said, skipping a hospital stop at any time of year shows another flaw in the bus system. It is the stop at which a bus would most likely pick up a sick passenger or a person with a disability, and it is inexcusable to leave these people out in the cold.

If stopping tacks on an extra five minutes to the bus route, so be it. Should a schedule appear at every stop noting the time changes made, it would be less of an inconvenience to patrons to wait a few minutes than it would be to spend the better part of an hour waiting for a bus that isn't going to show up.

Thanks for the help
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News - Wednesday, January 07, 2009

I've mentioned many times in this space it would be very difficult to produce a truly regional newspaper every week without the help of numerous people across the region.

That's why I always like to start the new year with a tip of my hat to all those who help make this publication the Kivalliq's newspaper.

There are really not enough thank yous I could send to accurately illustrate how much I owe Leonie Aissaoui in Repulse Bay and Gord Billard in Arviat for all the great material they've sent me throughout the years.

If there are educators in the Kivalliq who take more pride in the accomplishments of their students than Aissaoui and Billard, I've yet to meet them.

For all the photos and time spent answering my endless stream of questions throughout the past year, I humbly thank them both on behalf of our readers across the region.

Also, in Arviat, I have an ever-growing debt of gratitude to both Lynne S. Rollin and Nadine Lamoureux at the Mikilaaq Centre.

Both of these ladies send some great photos my way during the year, and a number of their shots from the annual snowmobile races in Arviat were truly jaw-dropping.

Noel Kaludjak has been sending us photos and helping us identify people in Coral Harbour for a number of years now, and his help is always greatly appreciated.

If only I could convince him to increase the resolution of his photos, we'd really be rockin'.

Although a lot more demand has been placed on his time since becoming a daddy, Glen Brocklebank in Chesterfield Inlet still makes the effort to send us photos from his community and, in particular, Victor Sammurtok school where he teaches.

Contributions from our smaller communities are appreciated in a big way here at the paper.

In Baker, numerous people at the Baker Lake Youth Athletic Association, Kyle Seeley at Sport Nunavut and rec co-ordinator Leo Lareau send me photos from various sporting and community events which I greatly appreciate.

I would also like to send an all-encompassing thanks to all the teachers, coaches and RCMP members across the Kivalliq who send in the odd photo and story lead throughout the year.

Space does not permit me to thank each and every person who sent me a photo in 2008, but rest assured, your efforts are appreciated.

There are also people right here in Rankin Inlet who realize their local newspaper editor can't be everywhere at once, and even gets to take a day off every now and then.

Folks like Doug and Karen McLarty, Page Burt, Tyrone Power and Cindy Lottes always come through for me in a pinch and I deeply appreciate their help.

And, finally, for answering my multitude of e-mails throughout the year when I have to track down a name to put to a face – a huge thank you to Leo Ussak elementary school co-principal Sarah Ayaruaq for saving my bacon many, many times.

I look forward to serving the Kivalliq for my 11th year in 2009 and wish everyone good health, happiness and prosperity in the new year.

As 2009 begins, the NWT and the world stand on uncertain times. As the global economy struggles it will take leadership to guide the territory towards success and productivity.

The question is: does the NWT have the leadership necessary to shield its people from economic uncertainty? If this past year is any indication the answer is a resounding no.

Premier Floyd Roland has demonstrated he and his cabinet are ineffective leaders. Our long awaited devolution deal has fallen by the wayside and hardly a peep on the issue has been heard from the premier's office.

If it wasn't bad enough, Roland's clout with Ottawa is weak at best and his character came into question at the end of the year. The man who campaigned on family values is now embroiled in a scandal involving an affair with a legislative assembly staffer.

If Roland is to continue as the leader of this territory he needs to step into the public light and be more accountable to the people.

This government is quickly gaining the reputation of a political dictatorship that does as it sees fit without seeking the support of residents.

Case in point: Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger continues his emperor-like reign over the territory, tossing out the democratic process while decreeing government policies as if his position has granted him divine right. His board merger plan, which came without consultation, was presented with no real forethought. Already the plan has been adjusted following legal posturing by the French school board. Similarly, the Catholic board is prepared to fight the constitutionality of the merger. We question the ability of one board to manage three massive areas of responsibility - housing, education and health -- with any efficiency.

Economically, the NWT is struggling. The GNWT has been unable or unwilling to curb the rising cost of living in the NWT. This year, the NWT was the only Canadian jurisdiction to experience a population decrease. Longtime Northerners have stated they are going south because they can no longer afford to live in the North.

That means less money for the NWT from Ottawa. Compound that with the mines slowing down to compensate for economic uncertainty and the Joint Review Panel again delaying its report that would kick start pipeline development - and the NWT becomes less and less attractive. Our government has too long ridden the coattails of economic prosperity and now that it has to actually employ some creativity and ingenuity to keep the territory running, our leaders are showing their ineptitude.

What the NWT needs now is economic stimulus. That can only be obtained through jobs and finding ways to attract people to the North. Instead the GNWT is finding ways to reduce jobs, scare away people and has done little to fight for more money for the North. The JRP twiddles its thumbs and devolution is cooling on the back burner.

What the territory needs in the new year is strong leadership. So far our current premier is getting a failing grade in that department.

As we enter 2009, some are forecasting a bleak period in the global economy.

The new recession has triggered cutbacks by mining companies, especially in exploration and development. Economic uncertainty may cause everyone - companies, governments and individuals alike - to tighten their purse strings.

Despite Nunavut's distance from the events that triggered this market meltdown, it will be affected by it in the new year.

Less money will be spent here by mining and oil and gas companies on exploration. Fewer tourists and sport hunters will be willing to pay the high cost of travelling here. The various streams of federal funding Nunavut depends on may dwindle, despite the presence of an Inuk in cabinet.

These are sources of revenue Nunavummiut rely on.

All this may mean life in Nunavut's remote communities may become more of a struggle in the next year than it already is.

Skills, however, are recession-proof. A drop in the stock market won't take away your ability to fix an engine, start an IV or repair a furnace.

Nunavut needs people with skills — nurses, mechanics, accountants, general contractors — the list is very long. For years the territory has relied on people from other provinces and countries to supply these skills.

Some training programs exist in many communities, and more educational opportunities are available through a flight south. A Grade 12 diploma is necessary for many of these programs. That's available in every community and all it takes to get that is commitment and hard work.

Spending time with elders is also a good way to learn skills vital to life in the North and to gain knowledge to pass on to future generations.

Consider learning a new skill this year. If you already have a few, consider teaching them to others.

Education is the wisest investment there is. It costs time, energy and money but the rewards continue for a lifetime regardless of stock prices.

The beginning of every new year is widely seen as a time of optimism and opportunities. It's a time to make resolutions and turn over a new leaf.

In Fort Simpson, levels of optimism are running high among a group of residents who are part of a proposed geothermal project. This group is hoping to prove that there's enough untapped geothermal energy beneath the village to provide electricity to meet all of its residential and commercial needs.

Fort Simpson, according to the preliminary research, is sitting on a "positive geothermal anomaly" which, in the case of this project, means a geothermal jackpot. Apparently underground temperatures in the area increase per kilometre at twice the average rate found in the rest of the continent.

In theory, if tapped properly, water that's heated naturally underground could be the village's primary source for electricity within two years.

However, there is a catch - the price tag.

The feasibility study will cost approximately $485,000, not to mention the approximately $40 million needed for the final product. Both of those numbers are substantial and enough to cause more than a few second thoughts.

Yes, the price tag is big, but so are the opportunities.

The high cost of electricity in the village is always one of the first complaints to be raised at community meetings

Average residents are feeling the squeeze on their budget as the costs of electricity rises.

This project is a way residents could take constructive action to address the problem of high electricity costs. Airing concerns is one option but this project is a concrete step.

Although the price of diesel fuel may rise and fall in the short term it's unlikely prices will fall in the long term. It only makes sense for communities relying on diesel power generation search for other alternatives.

Residents need to learn how they can get involved in this project at any level. They also need to let the village know if this is something they should be supporting.

The geothermal project should be explored. The worst that can happen is the test holes fail to find sufficient temperatures, the project has to be scrapped and $485,000 is gone. At least the village will be able to say it tried.

If, however, the study is a success the project could mark this new year as the start of a promising time for the village.

As the new year starts, it's common to look back at the past 12 months and reflect on the things we've seen and done.

After spending the past week frantically typing to catch up on overdue work and reading up on the past year, it's obvious this community has been through a lot.

We've experienced devastating fires, emotional reunions and first-rate celebrations.

Our 50th anniversary summer welcomed a lot of old faces home, if even just for a short while.

Looking back, this was a year of growth and prosperity for the people in our community.

Much-needed services like the Inuvik Food Bank, Gwich'in Treatment and Wellness Camp and the homeless shelter are growing -- thanks to generous local support.

The community mourned the loss of some good people this year, testing the bond we share as family and friends.

Hopefully we have learned valuable lessons from these tragedies and some will be avoided in 2009.

In the past few months, the issue of littering has been at the front lines of coffee shop talk and dinner table discussions.

We've identified littering is a serious problem in this town. Hopefully, when the snow melts this spring, we won't have to wallow through knee-deep piles of trash on our daily adventures.

With the start of a new year comes a lot of change. Some people make plans to lose weight, quit smoking or to drop other vices.

Whatever your resolution, make a choice to be a better person.

If this community can kick its bad habits for good, there is no telling how far we can go.

The newspaper report a large amount of cocaine was seized in Yellowknife, exposing its already obvious plight with controlled substances.

How far are we from being a haven for hard drugs?

Industrially, 2008 was a poor year for the region. Talks of reduced exploration projects and companies threatening to pull out of the area don't help an already hurting morale for the business community.

Maybe by this time next year, we could have the pipeline report from the Joint Review Panel -- It's nice to dream.

Because of the delays to the pipeline project, families have fled the North to seek opportunities elsewhere.

My thanks to those families that didn't bail out. Just keep treading water and don't hold your breath waiting for development to boom in the region.

There are plenty of opportunities here for someone who is willing to make a difference.

Getting involved with the youth is a great way to pave the streets of our future.

By arming the younger generations with skills they can use, we're helping everyone.

Hopefully your holiday was a good one, because it's time to pull up your socks and start the new year with some momentum.