To the United States, getting natural gas from Alaska to the lower 48 has been made into a national security issue.

So they're prepared to do almost whatever it takes to get the gas out.

That includes a host of subsidies. They have guaranteed a minimum price for Alaska gas, offered to exempt the Alaska Highway pipeline from billions in taxes to help raise the $17 billion needed to build the pipeline.

It's a mighty big carrot to tempt companies to push the project forward.

In Canada, we see oil and gas development as a business opportunity.

We talk about jobs and creation of wealth. In the North, we see a Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline as a way to wean ourselves off a subsistence lifestyle.

Now that exploration is paying off in significant new gas finds, it's time for the federal government to put its weight behind the Mackenzie Valley line.

A recent report suggests the project is good for all of Canada: 53,000 jobs and a $56-billion boost to the country's gross domestic product.

While a pipeline down the Alaska Highway will also provide Canadian jobs and wealth, it comes nowhere near the bang provided by the Mackenzie line.

Even so, the Canadian government is sitting on its hands. Its support of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline has been lukewarm, saying it wants to wait and see if the project will actually go ahead.

Ottawa must now get off the fence.

The Mackenzie Valley pipeline group has moved to the project definition phase. The gas boom is driving the NWT economy to new heights -- a 20.8 per cent growth in the gross domestic product in 2001.

It could all fizzle out if there's no pipeline.

While no one wants taxpayer-funded subsidies, there are steps the federal government can take.

Aboriginal groups may need loan guarantees to shore up their one-third share of the pipeline.

For two years, the territorial government has sought $250 million for infrastructure development and training to get Northerners ready for the jobs that will come. That money has to start flowing now so our roads, schools, hospitals and people are ready for the real boom that's to come.

And Ottawa must not put any financial backing behind the American pipeline, even though Yukoners stand to benefit. Its priority must be getting Canadian gas to market.

That's in the best interest of every Canadian.

Nunavut's appearance at the bottom of the list on recent mathematics tests of Canadian students made headlines across the country, as well as in our own pages.

But the poor performance came as no surprise to teachers, who know only too well how hard it is for the territory's youth to keep pace with national standards.

The biggest obstacles to understanding math are language and culture. Of that there can be no doubt. Many Nunavummiut students simply don't have the vocabulary or reference points necessary to understand the questions posed in math texts, which are, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, produced in the South.

If Nunavut is ever to realize its dream of a workforce representative of its population -- 85 per cent Nunavummiut is the goal -- these hurdles must be cleared.

But because language and culture are the essence of who we are, they cannot be swept to the side. In other words, our children face the daunting task of learning both Inuit and Southern ways.

It won't be easy, and it may not seem fair. But fluency in both English and Inuktitut, familiarity with both traditional and modern ways, are necessary minimum standards we must set for our youth.

Given the economic limitations of a territory of fewer than 30,000 people, the only way to meet those standards is to recognize that it will take time.

For many, it will mean more years spent in elementary and secondary grades before qualifying for trades schools and universities.

The conventional notion of kindergarten followed by 12 years of grade school may not be the best way to organize the educational system.

Creativity and patience, from teachers, students and parents, are perhaps our most valuable assets when it comes to building a future for Nunavummiut.

In a shameful attempt to block its employees from enjoying union representation, the K'atlodeeche First Nation on the Hay River Reserve has launched a legal challenge to the jurisdiction of the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

The majority of about 50 band workers have applied to the board to certify the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) as their bargaining agent.

The First Nation is arguing the Canada Labour Code "infringes upon their indigenous and treaty rights to self-government" under Section 35 of the Constitution.

It's a bogus argument, one that's wasting the time of the NWT Supreme Court. The Union of Northern Workers, a branch of PSAC, already represents aboriginal workers at Evergreen Forestry and Nats'ejee K'eh Alcohol and Drug and Treatment Centre on the Hay River Reserve.

Aboriginal workers have every bit as much right to unionize as other workers and their band employers have the same obligations as other employers. Section 35 is not intended to supersede the equality provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

As the days pass following the release of Nunavut's 2002-2003 fiscal plan, critics are left wondering if the budget is indeed, too good to be true.

Nunavummiut listened in awe last week as Finance Minister Kelvin Ng announced a series of tax cuts while championing increases in spending on desperately-needed government services. The goal, he proclaimed, is to stimulate spending, while giving residents the services they've been demanding for the last four budgets.

Sporting new kamiks made for the release of the budget, Ng also forecast the government will end up with a surplus of $1.6 million for the current fiscal year.

By all accounts, he appears to have managed to formulate a magical, near-perfect budget.

And yet, as is crucial to our financial survival, critics are already standing up to accuse Ng and the bean-counters of creative accounting. After all, expenditures do outweigh revenues by $14.4 million. But as the books show a $50-million surplus from last year, Ng's decisions appear to be for the best.

There are those who will suggest that Ng should have left the taxes where they were and put a freeze on program development. They say he could have banked the surplus for a rainy day. But Ng seems to be thinking that spending is needed now on services that might advance our lot in the future.

Nunavummiut are told that tough times lie in wait for the territory. When those days arrive, Nunavut Tourism won't receive additional funding and the new Elder's Council may suffer. Other services and programs will surely face difficult decisions.

It's important, then, that available dollars are used while they are available. Saving for a rainy day is advisable, but not if the money can be used today to generate additional spending tomorrow.

Ng may be gambling a little with this budget, but at least his work finally strays from the status quo and reflects the priorities of Nunavummiut.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

Rachel Siusangnark's difficulties this past year in combining sports and school work is a common problem for many athletes across Canada. Top athletes often have to travel to tournaments and qualifying events. It's yet another example of the sacrifices they make in pursuit of excellence.

However, there are those who can give our athletes a helping hand, especially when it comes to keeping up their academic standing while pursuing sporting interests.

Parents have the job of doing what they can to ensure their children study and keep up with their assignments while travelling. Being aware of what's expected of your child, as far as their school curriculum goes, is the starting point.

Make a point of sitting down with your child's home-room teacher before they head out on the road.

Ask about where they are with their school work, and any projects, tests or exams which may be lurking on the scholastic horizon shortly after their return. Make sure they take any and all material that will enable them to devote time to studying and completing projects while they're travelling. And, upon their return, sit down and discuss what they did concerning their school work while on the road.

Teachers can also help athletes who have to travel during the school year. It's a tremendous boost to an athlete when their teacher takes the time for a little one-on-one conversation to ensure they're keeping up with the rest of their class.

Nunavut's school system is lagging behind the rest of the country when it comes to setting minimum academic standards athletes must meet before being given the OK to travel. In short, athletes not making the grade academically should not be permitted to take time away from school to pursue sporting interests.

It's a tough stance, and one that's not overly popular with athletes, parents and coaches -- but it invests in the student's future, which has to remain our top priority.

Coaches, such as Eddy Sandy in Rankin Inlet, have stood up to criticism in the past when they've refused athletes permission to travel who were not keeping up with their scholastic efforts.

Concerned coaches also help their athletes by taking the time to speak with their teachers. Coaches who find out what's expected of their athletes while on the road -- and ensure they spend the proper amount of time on their school work -- help them further develop both their personal and educational skills.

And that's the type of concern that's remembered for a lifetime.

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

The new turbine generators that are to be installed at the recreation complex represent some good forward thinking on the part of the power corporation and the town.

We have some unique features in this town and the abundance of natural gas and the lack of heat are two that can work to cancel each other out.

As well as saving tens of thousands of tax dollars over the next years, we will also be getting a cleaner source of heat and electricity.

As accessibility to natural gas comes to communities up the valley they will be looking to tests like this one to plan for their futures.

The North can use more of this type of ingenuity and it seems like the power shift is finally coming from the top down.

Let's hope it doesn't stop here. Wind and solar energy are some other interesting alternatives to the dirty diesel power that's long ruled the North.

Dancing in the dark

The people who assembled for Monday's discussion on exotic dancing were a vociferous but, considerate crowd.

There were obviously some strong emotions felt in the room, but people pretty much kept their tongues civil and much was learned.

Bar manager Anna Mae Fairley learned that there was some firm and vocal opposition to exotic dancing in Inuvik.

The other 36 people there learned some new respect for Anna Mae -- she faced a lot of hard questions and had an answer for them all.

As a manager, she's managed to increase profit by 40 per cent in just two months.

She's employing a dozen people in town and the business thrives as the only pub outside the hotel group.

What we all learned, is that there are no laws to regulate the business.

I hate to see government trod on the free enterprise, but perhaps some form of regulation is in order.

Inuvik's gone from bingo games and bake sales to crack cocaine and wet wrestling in a just a few short years and it's come as a sudden shock to many people.

Every town that ever became a city has had to deal with these issues and I guess these things are all part of growing up too fast.

The transition could be made easier if there were some clear laws governing vice set out in the Municipalities Act.

In periods of boom, town councils don't have time and resources to examine and legislate over every business licence that's applied for. Council shouldn't have to drop what they're doing to appease anyone or any group who may opposed to a particular business.

Guidelines, rules or examples on how other municipalities have handled these situations would save towns thousands in legal fees and person hours.

As well, citizens and reporters of every burgeoning town wouldn't have to go to Monday night meetings when the Bruins-Habs' game six was 1-1 after two.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

Warrant officer Floyd Powder's enlistment pitch to students at Thomas Simpson school last week came at a poignant time, on the heels of a tragic accident that killed four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

That misfortune seems to have galvanized the campaign to see improvements to the Canadian Armed Forces' budget. Reports in the national media Tuesday indicated that the federal government is planning to review the Canadian military, and will include public consultations in their assessment.

A recent Liberal decision to purchase two new government jets for $101 million to cater to the prime minister and Cabinet ministers has drawn harsh criticism. It's little wonder when the military is forced to use aging Sea King helicopters that are notorious for their mechanical problems. Add to that news that the federal government's investment in two used British submarines have been placed in dry dock for inspection for cracked hull valves. This amounts to a poor perception of the federal government's priorities.

When Canadian soldiers were being deployed to Afghanistan, word got out that they had to rely on American airlifts for transportation. Canada's limited Air Force couldn't get the job done.

It's been well documented that many soldiers have chosen to rejoin the ranks of civilians, putting their military-imparted trade skills to work for better salaries, higher wages. To counter that, the Forces have begun offering $10,000-$20,000 signing bonuses to specific tradespersons who enlist.

Over the past year, there has also been a renewed effort by the military to recruit new soldiers. Movie previews in theatres around the country have included a brief Canadian Armed Forces promotional video with all the glamour of a Hollywood trailer.

Despite the largely second-rate weaponry and equipment, there definitely seems to remain a strong sense of pride that comes with serving the country. It was evident in Warrant Officer Powder's presentation on Friday. It is palpable in military veteran Peter Dimaline's poem devoted to Canada's fallen servicemen.

Throwing money at the problem won't eliminate deaths -- not from combat, not even from friendly fire. War in our era is a different animal with all the technological gadgetry, but the bottom line is lives are still at stake.

When the federal government takes a look at what it all the roles it expects our nation's military to perform in the face of crises, it must dig a little deeper into its pockets. Even the most loyal soldiers can't persevere with so little at their disposal.

Mike's filling in

Mike Bryant will be taking over the reporting duties at the Deh Cho Drum for the next four weeks while Val and I are away on vacation. Mike, a long-time Yellowknife resident, is also known as the Fishin' Technician. You'll likely notice him carrying his rod and reel along with his notebook and camera.

We'll see you again in late May.

A story in last week's News/North on Dolorosa Nartok's late son included an incorrect reference to his first name. The correct name is Gilbert. We apologize for the confusion.

A story headlined "Hockey Night in Yellowknife" in last week's edition of News/North contained an error. The Con Mine Cougars captured the Yellowknife District Hockey Association senior men's league championship in 1963-64. The story reported that the Giant Grizzlies won the title.

News/North regrets the error and any confusion it may have created.