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Some may scoff at awarding a $5,000 prize to an artist for designing new trash cans, but imagine what eye-catching creations would do.
They would spruce up downtown and other areas of our city, generate conversation and help make Yellowknife that much more unique.
As for solving the garbage problem? Don't expect litterbugs to stop their bad habits just because the cans look nice. That will take time and constant effort. And a lot of civic pride.
Premier Stephen Kakfwi's mid-term cabinet shuffle has left all but one cabinet minister with new responsibilities.
New ministers will be overseeing four major portfolios -- justice, transportation, municipal and community affairs, and resources wildlife and economic development.
It makes sense that Weledeh MLA Joe Handley has been given the transportation portfolio. He, as finance minister, was part of the team that spearheaded the now-shelved road toll and is probably the best choice to work on a new strategy to raise money to fix our roads.
That should be one of his top priorities over the next few months: coming up with an equitable method of paying for the work our roads so desperately need.
If city council released a Christmas CD, its own version of Silver Bells would go something like this: city sidewalks, busy sidewalks ... and on every street corner you hear, "Clear the snow, clear the snow."
Surely city council would seek public input before making final selections for its CD, and it must do the same before passing a bylaw to fine residents who don't clear snow from sidewalks.
We don't need an expensive study or plebiscite. The city can include a questionnaire in the next water bill and on its Web site. Let taxpayers decide if they want to keep shovelling and salting or give the city the go ahead to take care of the job.
The hunters at last week's public meeting on a new Wildlife Act for the NWT made some good points. They want to make sure residency requirements, proposed "buddy hunting" and new bag limits are sensible and manageable.
Unfortunately, most of their presentations to the departmental officials at the meeting were tainted with a hostile attitude. Their complaint? They haven't had enough opportunity to contribute to the process.
And that, we have to point out, is simply not true. While the deadline for public comments is next Wednesday, the process began more than 18 months ago and is now into its second public-comment round. Plus, there will be another chance to have a say when a legislative committee studies a proposed bill next year.
Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News
We encourage everyone around the Kivalliq Region to attend their community's Remembrance Day service this Sunday, Nov. 11.
The ongoing problems in the Middle East since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States illustrate just how fragile peace in our time can be.
Each and every day of a peaceful existence is a wonderful gift to be deeply treasured. We do not enjoy that gift accidentally, nor does it come without a price. Thousands upon thousands of our fellow Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our relatively peaceful existence.
Looking at the chaos around the world today should give us even more reason to stop and reflect upon just how lucky we really are.
Our veterans from the last great war are aging. It won't be all that much longer before none remain to remind us of the horrors of war. That makes honouring our veterans on Remembrance Day even more important.
Take a moment this week to look at the little poppy on your collar and reflect upon its meaning. Silently give thanks to the men and women who died on the battlefield so that we may live in peace. Quietly pray that none of our children ever have to witness the same horrors to preserve our way of life.
But, most of all, vow never to forget. Never forget how valuable our way of life truly is. Never forget the price paid by so many to keep our nation great and our society free.
Vow to never forget how many people around our planet have never known the true taste of freedom.
Never forget the atrocities that can be committed against our fellow man when freedom fails and oppressors rule.
Hopefully, as a people and a nation, if we never forget our past mistakes we will never have to repeat them. As we gather together this weekend to remember, our greatest allies in avoiding the horror of war in the future is our fear. Our fear that ... Lest we forget.
Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum
Gift certificates and a well deserved pat on the back were handed out recently.
About 100 people turned out for the Town of Inuvik Volunteer Recognition Event at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.
The event was particularly appropriate since it occurred in the midst of the first Live to Give Volunteer Symposium. Delegates from as far afield as Colville Lake to Sachs Harbour took in the event, and got tips on things such as team building and planning.
This is also the International Year of the Volunteer.
Though doubtless most volunteers would say taking part in an event or an organization, and making a difference, is reward enough, it's nice for them to get some kind of official acknowledgement.
Volunteers play a crucial role within most communities, and that certainly holds true in Inuvik. They help put on meetings and events at the rec complex and Ingamo Hall and other places, and help run many organizations, including the local army cadets and girl guides.
It's nice for them to hear that their absence would be felt.
Sharing the experience
Speaking of showing appreciation, a dinner was held at the legion on Sunday evening so that the 1st Inuvik Scouts Group could thank all those who helped 16 members attend the 10th Canadian Scout Jamboree this past summer in Prince Edward Island.
A definite highlight was a slide show of photos taken during the event, many of which were snapped by the scouts. Images ranged from people sliding along ropes into the ocean, to people sightseeing, and of course, worn out scouts snoozing away.
Commentary on various aspects of the trip was provided too, adding further proof that such brief events can leave lasting memories.
Counting down to the games
It won't be long now before athletes from all over the North compete at the 2002 Arctic Winter Games.
Over the next few months regional trials will take place, including many in the Delta, as young people seek the chance to take part in a truly special event.
Hopefully the athletes will bear in mind that while winning is nice, what's really important is trying their best, and representing their community well, whether at regionals or the AWG.
It's worth noting too that the trials and Arctic Winter Games are definitely very volunteer dependent.
Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson
The hue and cry for a nurse in Wrigley should evoke sympathy.
It would be most reassuring for residents to know that a trained medical professional in the community could address medical concerns within minutes. Instead, symptoms are usually relayed over the phone to Fort Simpson, more than 200 kilometres away. If urgent, a medevac flight is arranged.
The same situation exists in Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Kakisa and Trout Lake. None of those communities have a single nurse.
As much as we may sympathize with these communities, the reality of the situation is that recruiting nurses has proven a real chore in the North; not only the North, but across the entire continent over the past few years. The Deh Cho has been fortunate, for the most part, with only a few of its positions vacant at times.
Unfortunately, in the battle to attract nurses, resource-rich Alberta has been offering a very handsome package and has a distinct advantage. Other nurses have gone south to the U.S. where extremely generous salaries and benefits are provided.
Although Deh Cho Health and Social Services (DCHSS) achieved a surplus in its last fiscal year, it is not able to apply any of that unused funding towards additional incentives to attract nurses to this region. Doing so would violate the Union on Northern Workers' collective agreement, DCHSS chief executive officer Kathy Tsetso said.
This nursing shortage is a problem that stands to get much worse, according to an American news feature. It stated that aging "Baby Boomers" are supposed to require peak nursing care by 2010. That coupled with the fact that enrolment in nursing programs has dropped substantially in the U.S. over the past five years is the formula for a medical crisis.
Yet there seems to be a glimmer of hope in a nurse practitioner program offered through Aurora College in Yellowknife. It's not a panacea, but it would surely ease the minds of people in communities who have no medical personnel to turn to at the moment.
Deh Cho Dr. Shane Barclay is an advocate of the nurse practitioner program. The program has nine students enrolled, as it is in its infancy in the NWT. However, the example in Newfoundland is one the NWT could certainly follow. There, nurse practitioners can order blood tests and X-rays as well as prescribe certain drugs. Just as important, they also provide reassurance.
Having someone with some medical knowledge and training in our smaller communities would be an important first step in countering our nursing crisis.