According to at least one expert's estimate, every caribou shot by big-game hunters in these parts is worth $3,400 to the NWT economy. Other experts say there are about 350,000 caribou in the Bathurst herd. Add to that the 130,000 members of the Porcupine caribou that drop in on the Mackenzie Delta each winter.

In theory, then, we Northerners have a renewable natural resource worth $1.7 billion at our disposal.

Of course, they're not all at our "disposal." Such calcuations prove little, beyond the folly of trying to describe the natural world in purely economic terms. But it does give you something to ponder, the next time you see a caribou, whether through the sights of a rifle, or a pair of binoculars.

People are amazing. And wonderful.

Especially Gordon Stewart and Terry Chang. They are our latest heroes for their efforts in running to the rescue of a woman they found beaten and bleeding in Yellowknife's downtown.

In the midst of a tragic situation, the best side of human nature came to the fore.

All of us would like to believe we would do the same, but do some soul-searching. How many of us have seen someone stumble down a sidewalk, probably drunk, and bash their head on the concrete. And then watch from afar.

In this instance, Stewart and Chang rushed in after a violent incident, likely more intent on helping the woman than worrying about their own safety.

That makes them special.

Live theatre is one of the most powerful public forms of expression. The noble tragedies and comedies of the Greeks, the mystery and miracle plays that transformed epic biblical tales into celebratory pageants for medieval Europe, and Shakespeare's eternal writings -- these drew the multitudes together.

A playwright like Tomson Highway knows the compelling force of live theatre. When he turned to the stage to mythologize for all time the complexity of life on Canadian reserves, he joined a long line of writers who transform specific realities into timeless truths.

Aboriginal theatre has been markedly absent on the Yellowknife stage for a decade. Is Gail Cyr's staging of Highway's The Rez Sisters a sign that aboriginal theatre in Yellowknife will be resurrected? We hope so. Life isn't all British farce, Anglo-Canadian comedy and American drama.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

If Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk has any aspirations of one day becoming a federal minister, or, for that matter, the first Inuit prime minister in Canadian history, we hope he was taking notes this past week while sharing the spotlight with Brian Tobin.

The federal industry minister and former premier of Newfoundland could instruct a course on the art of politics at any major university.

And Capt. Canada was at his very best during his brief stop in Rankin Inlet to sign an agreement to provide Internet access sites to seven Nunavut communities and acknowledge the official opening of the Canada-Nunavut Business Service Centre in the hamlet.

For with Tobin, politics are an art form.

This is not to take anything away from Tobin's effectiveness as a politician. His past record speaks for itself and we here at Kivalliq News will not be surprised if those who shook Tobin's hand at the Siniktarvik Hotel were shaking the hand of a future prime minister of Canada.

Tobin uses his Newfoundland heritage and natural charm to project a grassroots image.

In political circles, he has the enviable ability to come across as one of the people, the guy next door. The small gathering at the hotel got a brief, yet powerful, glimpse of that ability when Tobin made a point of setting aside his prepared speech in favour of "speaking from the heart," just as those gathered in the room with him were obviously doing.

And the charismatic leader was almost moved to tears by the performance of well-known Nunavut elder Mariano Aupilardjuk.

There was another lesson to be learned from Tobin during the gathering. When the minister spoke of Canada, he spoke of Canadians -- all Canadians. Although in Nunavut, he did not feel compelled to separate Nunavummiut from the rest of the country, as did his territorial counterpart.

He spoke of the development of Nunavut in partnership within the federal government and always in the context of all Canadians. Unique as Nunavummiut, yes! But, first and foremost, unique as Canadians.

A point a number of our territorial leaders should also make more frequently. For 'tis better to partner with Capt. Canada than to tug on his cape!

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

Civil debate seemed to be the norm during the 18th annual general assembly of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

About 60 delegates and many onlookers trooped into the Aurora College gym day after day for four days (one more day than originally planned).

There was a lot to talk about. Certainly much was said about the need for, and plans in the works for, economic development -- especially pertaining to oil and gas.

A real sense of optimism was in the air, as the Gwich'in seem poised to take some big steps forward in their journey towards economic self sufficiency.

Delegates raised concerns about possible future directions the Gwich'in people could take. More than once the need to retain links to the land, and teach young people the ways of their ancestors, was spoken of, often with passion.

In keeping with that theme, delegates passed a motion in support of efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, thus trying to protect the Porcupine caribou.

Young people were not forgotten at the assembly either, though some youth delegates argued they are indeed forgotten the rest of the time in their communities.

One of the most poignant moments of the four-day event was when a youth delegate gave an emotional speech, imploring those present to assist the young people and elders in his community.

The need for unity was stressed again and again during the assembly, and it appears more than just lip service was paid to the concept. Delegates treated each other with respect, both during debates and after.

The GTC has undergone a lot of changes in the past year. The group's development corporation has been set up as a business, for one thing, and the four chiefs have assumed a more direct role in the management process.

More challenges face the GTC and beneficiaries in the coming year, as self government negotiations continue on, and the Gwich'in assume a 51 per cent share in a new company whose purpose is to provide oil and other oilfield services in the Gwich'in Settlement Area.

As the assembly drew to a close it seemed perhaps the Gwich'in were more ready than before to face the challenges before them, as they seek to help all their people share in the opportunities and wealth available.

This year's annual assembly has come and gone, but the memories it instilled in those who attended shall remain.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

It's only been good fortune that has kept somebody from perishing in a fire in Fort Providence or Wrigley over the past few months. With a shortage of volunteers, those communities are ill-equipped to deal with a house fire.

Making things more desperate, the water pump on Wrigley's only fire truck hasn't been operating properly for months. Somebody has to act fast, whether it's the GNWT or the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation. Lives are at stake.

Because there's been no major fire, there's been no sense of panic. The gravity of the situation hasn't hit home. But there surely would be an outcry if an individual, or worse, an entire family, died in a blaze.

Hopefully the warehouse fire in Fort Providence opened some eyes. With only six trained firefighters in a community of over 700 hundred people, a catastrophe is in the offing. As occurred Saturday, there's bound to be occasions when two or three of those six volunteers are away from the community or unable to respond.

With no meetings, training or practice taking place, how can firefighters be expected to combat a fire in an organized and effective fashion? The dependable few who remain on the department simply cannot spare a few minutes after arriving at the fire scene to talk things over and formulate a plan.

The other problem is that when there are so few volunteers, burnout quickly becomes an issue. If a heavy burden is placed on a person's shoulders for too long, he or she will likely walk away.

Communication necessary

It appears there has been a severe breakdown in communication in Fort Providence. Although the fire department has been deteriorating over the past year, nobody took notice or sounded the alarm. Either somebody dropped the ball or the message, as important as it is, simply never got through. There have been three changes in municipal leadership within the past six months. That lack of continuity probably hasn't helped matters.

In Wrigley, things are just as bad, if not worse. With only four reliable firefighters showing up for training, the community is in dire straits. Fire Chief Ed ten Brinke should be given credit for attempting to recruit youth in a supporting role.

Enough can't be said about the importance of proper training. Average people on the street may mean well when the try to jump in and help, but without a thorough background, they only put themselves at risk, if not others.

The cost of honorariums for the firefighters may have to be weighed. If a plea for help goes unheard, perhaps it is time to offer some compensation for an invaluable service. After all, lives will undoubtedly be lost if nothing is done.