It is certainly easy to tell who's organized in this town. Last week at an open meeting to discuss proposals to build a road running North from either Yellowknife or Rae-Edzo, those who objected to the idea in principle far outnumbered those in favour.
Mind you, only 35 people showed up.
Given the debate over where this imagined road might start, you would think that more people with a vested interest would have turned up.
Mayor Dave Lovell, a man with a vested interest, had the most insightful perspective on the situation. He pointed out at the meeting that while the Western Arctic debates the environmental issues and the communities squabble about where the road should begin, the Kitikmeot Corporation and a private logistics firm have made serious headway on putting a road to Contwoyto Lake from Bathurst Inlet. That road would entirely circumvent the communities around Great Slave Lake.
Most of the objectors at the meeting raised environmental concerns. And they are right to do so. If an all-season road goes through, the land will be changed forever. The relationship between people and wildlife will change. The global experience when this happens is that the wildlife loses.
And so the North finds itself once again weighing much-needed job opportunities against the preservation of the world's last true wilderness. That debate is far more crucial than where the road starts.
Those with the greatest stake in the maintenance of the land, the communities of the North Slave region, have yet to give their views.
The debate always seems to be reduced to an either/or discussion. Either jobs or wilderness. Perhaps more exploration into the employment possibilities offered by the world's fastest-growing industry, tourism, is in order.
A needs and feasibility study is due next month. Maybe then the debate will widen.
The issue of carbon monoxide poisoning is not something that should be taken lightly or ignored. It is a very real danger.
Today, homes are much more airtight than they used to be, which is good because it saves on heating bills. But one of the drawbacks is that not enough of the bad air is escaping.
Many people may scoff at the carbon monoxide issue, not believing it is a real danger. Many may find it interesting, but then they'll forget all about it tomorrow.
But think about this: one of the dangers about carbon monoxide is you often don't know it's there until it's too late. A detector warns you that it's there.
And that could save your life.
People First would be an apt name for a theatre troupe, because theatre is ultimately about ourselves.
People First, however, is the name of a group working in Yellowknife to ensure people living with disabilities have an equal chance at life's opportunities.
Last Saturday at St. Pat's high school, theatre activist Ben Nind led six performers from People First in an evening of storytelling through music and movement, entitled First Living Colour, that demonstrated that theatre is an equal opportunity discipline.
In front of an enthusiastic audience perched on the rocks in the school's atrium, the group worked through a series of narrative vignettes that incorporated rhythmic movement and some very inventive puppeteering. Tracy Riley, who surely qualifies as one of our natural resources, provided the percussive thread that stitched the show together.
The joy that the group brought to its performance spread like a happy virus, sweeping the audience into the world it had created on stage.
The result was an evening of pure pleasure, and the applause that followed the show was as sincere as the work that had gone in to it.
The tradition of theatre is the telling of our stories to one another. People First ably demonstrated that there is a place for all our stories, and anything less diminishes us all.
Editorial Comment
Glen Korstrum
Inuvik Drum
Since the demise of Co-op Taxi, I had some discussions with people about whether monopolies are good for Inuvik residents.
Some say it is because there will be only one number to call so quicker service will come from drivers joining forces because they will respond more quickly to calls.
Others say two companies offered residents who call for a cab a choice so they can reward the company that gives the best service.
What seems to be the most likely conclusion once the Taxi Commission reviews its bylaw and eliminates the freeze of 20 vehicle permits is that another company will emerge.
Tensions and distrust exist between the drivers -- a situation never conducive to team spirit.
But while Inuvik's most recent monopoly is taking shape, it could be worth taking a look at other area monopolies and asking whether there is good service.
Years ago, when I worked in a convenience store, along with other standard customer-service gems, we were told to greet each customer as they walked in the store.
Other store staff obviously can't do this but I still expect eye contact and a hello from cashiers.
Every time I do not receive this from area cashiers, find them slow to notice they have a customer or find mistakes on the receipt that then takes a long time to get sorted out, I wonder whether the business would survive if there were competition.
Theoretically at least, when competing businesses are eager for patronage, workers are more on their toes. More is expected of them because shoppers can actually take their dollars elsewhere.
Many Inuvikmiut discuss how tourism is the industry Inuvik's future depends on for dollars in an era when governments are less able to spend.
What is at the root of tourism promotion is good customer service.
So, as competing taxi companies merge, drivers can make their mark and earn more than another driver while helping to spark tourist interest.
All it takes is consideration of passengers.
Sunwatch
It's easy to tell a popular feature when it's missing and calls abound about what happened to it.
Sunwatch is like that.
I hear that the 1999 sunwatch times are in the process of getting to the Drum, but so far they have not arrived.
The segment has not been cut and will be reinstated as soon as it arrives.
In the interim, all you sunwatch enthusiasts may be interested to know that this week in 1994 had six hours and 14 minutes of sunlight on Feb. 4 and seven hours and 16 minutes of sunlight by Feb. 11.
And though the colder temperatures are keeping area hunters and Ski-Doers inside, at least there is lots to do to keep busy.
While last weekend had an exciting regional hockey tournament and the Super Bowl, this weekend promises to be just as entertaining sportswise with NWT championship figure skating at the Midnight Sun Arena.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum
This past weekend, three Edmonton Oilers alumni -- Al Hamilton, Bryon Baltimore and Brian Benning -- and former NHL goaltender Pete Peeters visited Fort Simpson to put on a hockey clinic and play in a benefit game.
It was amazing to see the effect that those celebrities had on local youth. There's a pretty good chance that 99 per cent of the kids never saw Al Hamilton or Bryon Baltimore play in an NHL game, they simply aren't old enough to remember. They may remember Brian Benning, who retired in '96, and they might have heard of Pete Peeters, a quality goaltender for the Flyers, Bruins and Capitals. Regardless, the kids went berserk at the opportunity to get autographs, shake hands and exchange a few words.
They don't necessarily have to know what position each guy played, the number of games in his career or how many goals he scored. To them, all that's important is that these are former professional athletes. The foursome once played in the National Hockey League, and making a living by virtue of one's athletic prowess is the dream of many a child.
Of course, there were also many adults who had a sparkle in their eye as they greeted the visiting Oilers alumni. Some were parents, grateful that these players were taking the time to interact with their children and offer skills development. Others recalled their childhood dream of lacing up their blades at the Northlands Coliseum (or more likely Maple Leaf Gardens or the Montreal Forum). Now, they were being introduced to a few guys who had the rare ability to perform at the most elite level.
Sports is one of life's great diversions. For those of us who don't make a living off them, sports events are a great way to exercise, socialize and relieve stress. They can teach us about discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play.
Often, when we're not engaged in sports activities, we're preoccupied with the pros on television. We relish our right to criticize, idolize and envision ourselves in their shoes.
Despite the controversy over players' salaries and media scrutiny of their private lives, we live in a glorious sporting era. We've been fortunate enough to watch the great ones such as John Elway, who earned his second Super Bowl ring on Sunday, Dan Marino, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa.
Yet, when arguably the greatest basketball player in the history of the game retires, he himself helped to put it all in perspective. During his retirement press conference, Michael Jordan started off by offering his condolences to the family of a slain Chicago police officer. That policeman's death served as a reminder of where our priorities ought to lie. Jordan, blessed with immense talent and a superior work ethic to hone his skills, was paid extremely well to play a game.
There are many people in our own communities who will never receive one-tenth of Michael Jordan's seasonal income over the course of their entire working lives. They may contribute countless hours performing selfless deeds, yet they will never attract throngs of excited kids nor thrilled adults. Whether they be police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, coaches or volunteers, we shouldn't forget that those people are there for us on a daily basis.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
In the words of Denis Bedard, president of the NWT Hockey Association, "The request was important, appropriate and easy to accommodate."
The request Bedard was speaking of was that of Amauyaq Lindell, son of recently deceased Jon Lindell of Arviat, to have the NWT's under-17 hockey team at the Canada Winter Games this month in Corner Brook, Nfld., wear black shoulder patches to mark his father's passing and to commemorate his tireless and dedicated work on behalf of amateur hockey in the territories.
The request was indeed an important one. All too often the efforts of dedicated individuals such as Jon Lindell to help further our young athletes' endeavours go unheralded. Such dedicated individuals are often few and far between and he will be sadly missed.
The wearing of the black shoulder patch shows how much Jon's efforts meant to these kids and the NWT Hockey Association. It will also further serve to remind the players of how much Jon accomplished on their behalf and that there are people out there who care very much about their futures and well-being.
Perhaps there is no other place in this great nation of ours where it is more important for our younger generations to know there are many of us who care about their futures. There are people out there who are willing to go the extra mile for Northern youth, who give freely of themselves and their time with little or no recognition.
The gratitude these special people receive is in the smiles of the youth they help. Every time a Northern athlete raises his or her hand in triumph, an amateur volunteer stands somewhere in the background with a smile as wide as the athlete's.
And, when our Northern athletes don't win, those same volunteers know they afforded them the opportunity to compete and, more importantly, they afforded them the opportunity to learn, to grow as individuals, to understand the value of hard work and being able to look in the mirror and know you did your best.
Study after study, such as the one recently conducted on the Arctic Winter Games by doctors Samuel Lankford and Larry Neal of the World Leisure and Recreation Association, show indisputable significant social benefits to the athletes who compete in amateur events and the communities and volunteers who are involved in various aspects of hosting and team preparation.
Hopefully, the black shoulder patches worn at the Canada Winter Games will serve as a constant reminder to our young athletes how much can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.
Hopefully, it will show all our Northern athletes at the Games just how many people care about who they are, where they're going and what they will accomplish. Sometimes, knowing there are people out there who truly do care, can be the greatest gift of all. And, sometimes we need to be reminded. Thanks Jon.