Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 16/02) - The cabinet minister who spearheaded a failed drive to rename the Northwest Territories is attempting it again as premier.

In his annual address in Hay River last week, Stephen Kakfwi emphasized that the decision to revisit the great name debate was made by the entire assembly.

"A major challenge still facing us is to find a name for our territory, our home. It is a challenge that we must address together, as we seek to assume control of our future, our resources and our land, and to continue the work to develop a unique identity for ourselves." - -- Premier Stephen Kakfwi, during his address to the territory, Jan. 10 in Hay River.

But finding a new name for the territories has been an issue near and dear to the premier's heart for years.

Though Kakfwi was unavailable for comment for this story, shortly after being named premier he said: "It's got to be done." The Northwest Territories "is not a grown-up name," that it was a name that did not suit the modern NWT.

The 1996 debate over a new name ended with overwhelming support for keeping the name Northwest Territories.

Identity debate

This time around, the debate will focus on "defining and implementing a new identity for the NWT," according to Great Slave MLA Bill Braden.

Braden and Nahendeh MLA Jim Antoine are charged with the task of making recommendations on a name change to the assembly in March.

"I don't want to say anything is off the table," said Braden when asked if the name Northwest Territories was an option. Speaking as Great Slave MLA, Braden later said he believes it is not possible to establish a new identity without a name change.

During the first renaming debate, Kakfwi said he preferred that the name Northwest Territories be left off the ballot in any public vote.

Braden said he and Antoine intend to allow as much public input as possible, possibly even a plebiscite or referendum.

Time is needed

Yellowknife mayor Gord Van Tighem gave a qualified "no" when asked if he was in favour of a name change.

"For the sake of renaming to have a new name, I don't see it," Van Tighem said. "If we can work diligently towards coming up with a new name, and that becomes a program over the next three to six years, then maybe."

Van Tighem said that amount of time is needed for a smooth transition from a marketing perspective. A lot of money, he said, has been spent establishing images such as those evoked by the phrase, 'Northwest Territories: within reach but beyond belief.'

Liske likes Nahendeh

Ndilo chief Peter Liske said he had not given much thought to the name issue but believed the territory should be renamed. His first choice is Nahendeh.

In 1996, the name debate sparked a tongue-in-cheek campaign to rename the territory Bob. In fact, Bob was the public's second most popular choice.

Then, Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes was in favour of keeping the current name. Now, Ootes said that with budget slashing, public service cuts and division behind us, and a rosy future ahead, the time is right for a new name.

When the territory achieves provincehood, Ootes said, the name Northwest Territories will need to be changed. He pointed to Canada's other two territories, which have dropped the term territory from their names.

"I think everybody in Canada is familiar with the name Nunavut, and what's that taken, a year or two," Ootes said.

Ootes highlighted the need to establish a new identity by referring to the origin of the Northwest Territories flag. He was executive assistant to commissioner Stuart Hodgson in 1969 when the current flag was chosen from among entries from across Canada.

After a committee pared down the number of entries, it took the five appointed and seven elected members of council 67 seconds to select the flag that symbolizes the NWT today, Ootes said. The flag was designed by a Manitoba youth.

Name change no joke

Though against a name change at this time, Van Tighem said he does not want to see the debate again turn into a joke.

"I don't think we should make a game of it or a joke of it," Van Tighem said. "If we're going to do it, do it seriously."

Braden noted that the only distinct symbol the Northwest Territories has established since division is its new mace.

While Bob remains an option, Braden said he anticipates it being less of a consideration this time around.