While the world seems eager to parcel itself into smaller political pieces, the driving economic force is one of global vision, where political boundaries are irrelevant and the value of trade is what matters.

A case in point is our home turf, North of 60. The division of the former NWT into two separate jurisdictions as only served to intensify the determination of people on both side of the line to strengthen the ties of commerce.

Canadian North recently arranged for 10 business representatives from the Western Arctic to fly to Iqaluit as part of their Northern Enterprises trade mission programme.

The economic future of both territories will depend on a strong commercial connection. However, the free market is not a forgiving place. Because Nunavut is seen by some as an business opportunity waiting to happen, the NWT can expect stiff competition on projects. Other provinces have also made their presence felt in Iqaluit, looking for business opportunities.

The NWT needn't be intimidated by the likes of Ontario and Alberta. The western Arctic has Northern expertise, understands Northern needs and can deal with Northern problems.

As a rule, southern companies doing business in the North have a lot to learn about the challenges of Northern living.

For Nunavut the NWT represents a market that is familiar with their products. Our mutual history means that the connections run deep and are often personal. Links like that can't be discounted when doing business.

Canadian North's gesture will help that strengthen the bridges between the two territories. Both sides stand to benefit from solid commercial connections.

It is our hope for both territories that the legislators on both sides will put as much effort into building business relationships as the private sector has. It is in everybody's best interest.

OK, so you've got a computer - like the song says, that don't impress me much.

The fact that somebody managed to hack into and take over the Government of the Northwest Territories' website last week poses no end of questions, but two immediately spring to mind: does this thing have no security at all; and why would anyone want to or be bothered to.

If it's impossible to secure these things, perhaps websites aren't the best way of promoting or advertising the GNWT. Maybe we should get off the web before we wind up with something more embarrassing than CIA links and a couple cheap shots at former members.

As for the individual doing the hacking and all others of that ilk - for the sake of everybody, get a life or at least find another hobby. May we suggest fingerpainting?

As frightening as it must have been for two Hay River residents to be trapped in their car while a black bear crawled over it, there is another aspect to the story that is perhaps even more disturbing.

Debbie and Jim Belrose spent several hours trapped in their car, which had broken down, just the other side of Rae-Edzo.

They tried to flag down half a dozen cars and, here's the disturbing bit, no-one would stop and help.

According to Debbie, one car did stop, but the driver and passenger refused to get out. They promised to call Debbie's uncle in Yellowknife. That was about 10 p.m. and the call was made: five hours later.

Have we in the North become so timid, paranoid and self-absorbed that we can't help someone in trouble?

If so, it defeats the reason many of choose to live here. We might as move south and rejoin the rat race.

The decision of whether to establish a PCB incinerator in Iqaluit is difficult, but not impossible.

Given that the PCB in the North must be disposed of, there remains the question of what to do with it. Which leads directly to the question of which is safer and more efficient: establishing an incinerator in Iqaluit or shipping this dangerous contaminant to existing facilities in the south.

Given that most of the PCB in question are at abandoned air bases along the Atlantic coast, the obvious answer is to ship the contaminated material to existing incinerators in Quebec. The shipping routes are clear and it would save the trouble and possible hazards of moving the stuff around Nunavut.

It also maintains Iqaluit's environment and safety. Some development just isn't worth the possible hazards.

Our hats are off to the 37 students who went out to Kitchener, Ont. to represent team NWT/Nunuvut in the National Skills Competition -especially the three who brought home medals.

All too often the trades programs are overlooked by young people, who are dazzled by the thought of university degrees.

The trades in the south so largely underrepresented, we are now seeing shortages in many good-paying and secure fields.

Programs like this skills competition are a great chance to showcase the talents and pride these craftspeople take in their work.

I doubt there was anybody who attended the District Education Authority's annual general meeting who was unaffected by what they learned there.

The issue of suspensions has been in the spotlight lately. This is one of the reasons the DEA decided to gather up these facts. Apart from an article written well over a month ago, neither the board nor the schools had done much to defend themselves. I'm glad to see they finally took the steps to. The facts and figures presented by member Arlene Hansen were astounding.

They're also pretty hard to argue with.

More than 160 suspensions of more than 80 students; more than 50 per cent of those suspensions were the result of behavioural problems; 27 per cent the result of violent behaviour, which included throwing a desk and hitting a teacher. Hansen was right on the money when she said it was her opinion the policies were, in fact, too lenient. Most schools are supposed to have a zero tolerance policy towards violence. It should be no different for Northern schools.

According to the statistics, one student had seven suspensions. Seven! And that student is still in school. I realize every student has a right to an education, but with seven suspensions, chances are he or she isn't getting much of one. Maybe public school isn't the answer for that individual?

Hansen said, based on her findings, she could only come up with the conclusion that there is a serious lack of respect in this community for teachers and, it would seem, the school system in general. She's right. It's a lack of respect among students that causes a large part of the behavioural problems.

Even worse, though, than the lack of respect from students is the lack of respect from parents. Teachers should be able to count on parental support. There is very little of that going around. I'm sorry to point the finger, but I think somebody should.

This is not a problem restricted to this community. This is an international problem -- perhaps even worldwide. Who knows? As I mentioned in a previous editorial, my dad was a teacher. I know from talking to him that he and the teachers at his school experienced the same problem -- a lack of respect from both students and parents. This isn't something I just formed an opinion on 12 hours ago. I've felt this way for a long time now -- long before I moved North.

I'm not saying teachers or the school system is perfect. But they do their best. They are trying to provide an education for our children. We should be backing them 300 per cent!

Anyway, if anything, let's hope that these statistics put an end to the many complaints. Let's hope parents realize from this that, for the most part, the schools are more than justified in their decisions.

Just call me Pearl

Imagine my surprise (and embarrassment) when I became part of a story I was covering this week.

Yes me. I was covering the dress rehearsal of East Three -- The Story of Inuvik when, to my horror, I was asked to go on stage to play Pearl the Waitress. It was during the Greasy Slick scene, which I'm sure many of you around town are familiar with.

I was totally taken by surprise. An actress I'm not, a fact that probably doesn't come as a surprise to the other people who were at the rehearsal. Just ask the lady I was supposed to throw a glass of water on. I whimped out and missed her by a mile! But the last time I was involved in the theatre was a Grade 6 school performance. Let's just say I didn't get a standing ovation.

Anyway, I will admit it was kind of fun. But don't expect a repeat performance.

Months of hard work destroyed in a thoughtless act that probably took all of five minutes. An individual or group of individuals ran roughshod through the Thomas Simpson school greenhouse last week, pouring fuel over the plants. It really is a shame.

It tends to make one somewhat cynical when they embark on a project to enhance the community. There's always the question in the back of one's mind whether some vandals will target the efforts, rendering them futile. It doesn't happen that frequently. Then again, it doesn't have to. Major setbacks such as the one that occurred at the greenhouse can be enough to make us somewhat wary, a little hesitant to devote significant amounts of our time when someone could very well ruin it in a fraction of that time. We want to shelter what we can, keep an eye on it because we know there are a few bad apples out there who will take advantage if given the opportunity.

It's similar to when we were children. An entire afternoon could be spent constructing a snowman or snow fort. By the next morning we would often find it demolished by some hooligans, who undoubtedly had a good laugh while quickly toppling the day's work.

As we grow older, the ante goes up, though. The greenhouse project involved countless hours, a lot of sentimental attachment and considerable money. It wasn't cheap either to replace the panes of glass at Fort Simpson's Northern Store, due to somebody shattering the doors. The windows at Deh Cho Hall also seem to be a popular target. Bompas school's Dene camp has been struck a few times and has apparently been turned into a makeshift bar on occasion. Sometimes, the destruction takes on a hint of a vendetta as it did for a local businessman earlier this year. A few of his properties and vehicles were vandalized to the tune of close to $40,000.

Who would do such things and why? Most often, those questions aren't easily answered. The primary suspects are often underprivileged children. That's not to imply that they necessarily come from poor or destitute homes.

While covering court proceedings in Yellowknife, I learned of a couple of youth who broke into abandoned buildings and a bus and camped out there. It was pointed out by the boys' appointed lawyer that they came from "good homes." Asked by the judge why they committed such actions, they didn't come up with any extraordinary reasons. They "just wanted to." He seemed stumped by their indifference, but warned them to clean up their act just the same. If their home environment supposedly isn't lacking, what would compel them to run away?

Whether the vandals in our community are dealt with by the police or by a community justice committee, hopefully they come to realize how much sorrow and disappointment they have inflicted on others. Somehow, they have to be made accountable for their actions. More often than not, these individuals, capable of committing much worse crimes, are frustrated and crying out for help.

It's important to remember, though, the majority of people in this community are working for its betterment. As disheartening as they are, we can't let the setbacks stop us from striving for that objective.