Crimes against women are as old as civilization itself, so you would think the problem would be under control in 2000.

It's not, and we should concentrate more on educating politicians. After all, they are law-makers and men have historically been at the top of the power pole.

Yellowknifer Mary Beth Levan went to Kosovo to educate women about politics. She also heard their stories of rape, torture and murder.

Unfortunately, she was not shocked by what she heard.

"Women in the North have experienced the same things, the same trauma," said Levan.

Northern politicians should meet regularly with women's groups, health care and social workers who have first-hand knowledge of the impact of violence.

Of every 1,000 women in the NWT, 20 checked themselves into a women's shelter in 1997/98, compared to four women nationally. Sexual assault in the NWT is six times higher than the national average.

Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent expressed regret that the GNWT has not achieved its goal to eliminate violence by the year 2000. While such a goal is unrealistic, obviously the politicians still have a long way to go.

How far became apparent when two Nunavut cabinet ministers stepped down this fall after legal problems stemming from incidents against women.

Women's groups denounced Premier Paul Okalik for not taking a stand. But how could he after admitting he doesn't even know if Nunavut had a problem of widespread violence against women?

"It's a topic for the Department of Justice," he said.

Violence against women is a topic for everyone, but especially those in power. Part of their job is to enact legislation. That will be tough if they are unaware what's happening to their people.

It's not surprising that the jury at this week's inquest into the suicide of a psychiatric patient at Stanton Regional Hospital recommended the number one need to secure the ward was more money.

The inquest was called after psychiatric patient Alf Ivarluk, who was under close supervision, managed to hang himself with a shower curtain on Jan. 7.

The jury's recommendations did not in any way blame Stanton medical staff or the hospital itself. Nor should they have.

Clearly the two nurses, who are still haunted by this unfortunate incident, did all they could.

The jury's recommendations that the GNWT provide more money to renovate the ward so it has proper monitoring devices makes sense and should be supported.

Thanks to the fund-raising efforts of Yellowknife chicken enthusiasts, Tim Sewall and Todd Burlingame, the Yellowknife Learning Centre has $30,000 more in the bank.

The third annual fund-raiser, the Joe McCaw Wingfest, in memory of its co-founder who died last year, proves that a little bit of fun can go a long way in supporting an important organization.

The Yellowknife Learning Centre is a non-profit school that offers special needs education and has helped hundreds of Yellowknife students.

Thanks to the Wingfest, the centre can now expand to accommodate the scores of students who will one day benefit from this important school.

Inuvik residents have made their choice.

Deputy Mayor Peter Clarkson will take over the mayor's chair next month.

After the results were in, Clarkson made some comments that echoed a common theme during the municipal election. The mayor-elect said that while the town has made some progress, it really isn't ready for the anticipated oil and gas boom.

Certainly, as was said during the recent all candidates forum, the next few years should be interesting.

One thing that was good to see was a turnout around 50 per cent among eligible voters. In 1998 the turnout was about 35 per cent. It's a good sign that residents want good representation in town hall. It could also indicate that once the new mayor and councillors take office, residents will follow their decisions closely.

While it's true a town does not grow without leaders, it's equally true that leaders need a lot of support to do their job properly. The more people take the time to weigh the issues and candidates, and then cast their ballot, the better.

After assuming office, the mayor and councillors need to hear from people. They need to know about the issues which concern people.

Another election coming up

Another example of democracy in action is coming up this Sunday.

The Inuvik Youth Centre is holding an open house, during which an election will be held to select a new youth committee to advise the youth centre board.

More is riding on this weekend than meets the eye, as the youth centre has been closed for about three weeks now. Organizers cited one reason for the closure being a lack of input from users on what kind of a centre they wanted.

The new committee will replace one that has ceased to function. Armed with ideas from this committee, the board will be able before long to re-open the centre.

As many as 50 young people might use the centre on a given night. It provides a safe place to hang out with friends, shoot some pool, watch movies and other activities.

One member of the board, Tracy MacPherson, said she does not usually receive much input from the community, although many people have commented on the closure and have asked about what led up to it. MacPherson said aside from a new youth committee, the centre needs adults to either sit on the board or help out in other ways.

Rose Betthale-Reid's conundrum isn't unique at all. Many First Nations people were born and raised in one community and now live in another. (Read her story on pg. 10.)

The question is who is responsible to meet the needs of those now living elsewhere? The town in which they now reside? Their hometown? The GNWT, the federal government or the Deh Cho First Nations?

The value of training should not be underestimated. It goes a long way towards building competency and confidence in a community. By helping one we can help others who come to rely on that person for a service. Not to mention that a trainee sets an example for others to follow.

Betthale-Reid's chosen profession as a counsellor is a worthy one indeed.

Yet with limited training funding comes delicate decisions. A trainee who remains in a community brings promise -- but no guarantee -- that his or her skills and talents will benefit those in the community. At the same time, those who live abroad, as in Betthale-Reid's case, may continue to help those in their home town to a lesser extent even while away.

The bottom line is that Betthale-Reid found another means of training funding. It's not an ideal situation because she had to put up the money first, but she will be reimbursed through the GNWT's student financial assistance program. Those who are on employment insurance can apply to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for assistance.

The GNWT's stipulation that a course be successfully completed in order to receive a reimbursement serves to encourage a greater sense of commitment and responsibility. Like any kind of training, that too is a good life lesson.

Ideally, when the Deh Cho First Nations, with visions of greater programs and services, will form a public government with even more training dollars identified. In the meantime there are other avenues.

Finding a partner

With indications that industry will be making further inroads into the NWT in the near future, leaders in Wrigley and Tulita are promoting private investment as a means to attain a highway extension. In Fort Providence industry partners are being considered to build a bridge over the Mackenzie.

If big companies are so eager to move in and extract resources from this land they should help pay for the accompanying roads and other services.

Changes?

With all the customary election buzz about the need for change, it's interesting to analyze the results of Fort Simpson's municipal election. Three of the four council incumbents who ran again received more votes than any other candidates. The fourth was also re-elected. As well, the mayor-elect is a former councillor.

Yet, as one candidate pointed out, there were approximately 1,600 ballots cast in the name of change while only about 800 votes were endorsements of incumbents.