Three Western Arctic MLAs are urging youth in their communities to pay more attention to traditions and less to fashion trends.

"It disturbs and saddens me when I see the younger generation taking more pride in a jacket with a company or sports logo than in a moose-hide vest," said North Slave MLA James Rabesca on Tuesday.

Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger and Nahende's Jim Antoine also spoke of the importance of moose hide, and moose-hide clothing, to Dene tradition.

The statements came during celebration of Heritage Week across the North.

GNWT workers aren't that down on Donny Days, according to a survey conducted by Yellowknife North MLA Seamus Henry.

Henry told the legislative assembly Wednesday that 55 per cent of the 157 people who responded to the survey said they would like the mandatory five-day leave to continue.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents reported they left Yellowknife over the Christmas season, when the days off are taken.

Responding to questions from Iqaluit MLA Ed Picco, Economic Development Minister Stephen Kakfwi said regulatory reform legislation will be before the house some time this year.

Kakfwi said the regulatory reform secretariat is now gathering input from those who have to deal with government red tape.

When that input is refined, a bill will be introduced incorporating all of the changes, instead of legislating each individually. The goal is to stream the regulatory approval process for projects in the NWT.

Yellowknife South MLA Roy Erasmus said he was mistaken in saying De Beers director George Burne was surprised there are office towers in the NWT capital.

"Upon reflection, I must admit it was another diamontaire who was not familiar with Yellowknife's modern buildings," Erasmus told the legislature.

Erasmus told the assembly Monday that Burne made the comment during a GNWT fact-finding mission to Antwerp and London.

The Yellowknife MLA, however, stands by his statement that Burne said aboriginal people lacked patience to be good diamond cutters and polishers.

Erasmus said other members of the delegation confirmed for him that it was Burne who made the comment about aboriginals' unsuitability for diamond cutting and polishing.