Did Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew attempt to discourage sexual assault charges from being brought against Prime Minister Jean Chretien's son Michel?

The mother of the 18-year-old woman who made the complaint clearly believes she was pressured by Blondin-Andrew to go a different route than the courts when Blondin-Andrew phoned her three times.

Only Blondin-Andrew can say what her intent was in her conversations with the woman and she's not talking publicly, except through her lawyer. He says Blondin-Andrew did not try to stop the family from going to the police but acknowledges he doesn't even know what was said.

We do know that Blondin-Andrew is very close to the Prime Minister who elevated her to the cabinet post she now enjoys. The Prime Minister's son has stayed in her home.

We also know the Prime Minister is in the battle of his political life to keep the leadership of the liberal party. Having his son brought before the courts on sexual assault charges could only add to his troubles.

Add this powerful mix of careers and national politics to the problem of families coping with alcoholism, cultural conflict and upheaval and you have a familiar Northern story thrust on the national stage.

Yes, individuals must be held responsible for their actions, but it must also be recognized other destructive forces have been at work in the North for several generations, alcohol being one that can take hold in the womb.

While we know such tragic Northern stories can have no winners, as we see in the stories we cover, more and more there emerge healthy survivors.

The public will decide what they believe occurred between the complainant's mother and Blondin-Andrew. Yellowknifer has presented both sides of the story as completely as circumstances permit.

But what must not be forgotten are the needs of the two young people - the complainant and Michel Chretien - who now require justice, protection and treatment.

Their families should not be judged on either their past or present status but on their willingness to face the challenges ahead.

Earlier this month, after 17 months of consultation and review, the Canadian Human Rights Commission revised its drug and alcohol testing policy and concluded job-related drug testing is generally not acceptable.

The commission rightly reasoned that employment drug testing, whether it is pre-employment screening or random post-hire examination, is a flawed concept because available drug tests do not measure impairment, how much was used, or when it was used.

In Yellowknife and the rest of the NWT, the revised policy will immediately apply to federally-regulated industries such as telecommunications -- think NorthwesTel -- Crown corporations, federal departments and chartered banks.

A potentially much larger impact could be waiting down the road if an inter-provincial Mackenzie Valley pipeline is constructed. The commission says that may fall within its scope, as well as cross provincial-territorial trucking between the Northwest Territories and Alberta and British Columbia -- commercial activity that will increase in the years ahead.

Testing can only accurately determine past drug exposure. Therefore, a drug test is not a reliable means of determining whether a person is -- or is not -- capable of performing the essential requirements or duties of their position, the commission found.

At stake in the struggle to formulate any sensible and fair policy on employment drug testing, is the need to balance workplace safety against the requirement that employees not be discriminated against on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination. And disability, or perceived disability, for employees with a previous or existing dependence on drugs, is a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canada Human Rights Act.

The commission has struck the right balance.

Editorial Comment
Nathan VanderKlippe
Kivalliq News

One of the odd twists of democracy is that we don't really want it to work completely.

Although the system's basic premise is the empowerment of the individual to decide personal fate, in reality a pure democracy boils down to the will of the majority. In some circles, that's called the tyranny of the majority -- the ability of the largest group to triumph unmitigated over those with differing viewpoints.

Quite clearly, such a system could lead to vast suppression of minorities. To counter that, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifically protects the rights of a number of minorities.

It also guarantees equitable, non-discriminatory treatment of all Canadian citizens -- including those with physical disabilities.

But in many corners of the country, that isn't possible. Whether due to penny-pinching, lack of concern or just plain ignorance, people with disabilities often suffer an unduly difficult access to the things the rest of us take for granted.

That's true in Rankin, too. Wheelchair ramps aren't always shovelled in winter, forcing some people with disabilities to call ahead before coming to a store. A number of places around town don't have smooth access from wheelchair ramp to indoor hallways. Elevated thresholds are difficult to navigate in a regular wheelchair, nearly impossible in a heavy electric wheelchair.

Some people have difficulty using their own homes, which were built for able tenants. Without extra wide doorways and accessible washrooms and kitchens, even a home can become a never-ending obstacle. As with most problems, part of the solution lies in accessing funds. Money can be used to help people with disabilities renovate their homes and make life more comfortable. One hopes that the newly-formed Association for Community Living will have success accessing funds -- and successfully put them to use. The association is showing some promise by turning to the community before it does anything else. That demonstrates a praiseworthy commitment to meeting people where they are at, instead of imposing solutions.

But wholesale acceptance of those with disabilities is a societal task. For businesses, that can mean making stores as accessible as possible -- not simply to meet building code requirements but as an act recognizing the dignity of all persons.

For the rest of us, that can mean recognition that, as Johnny Ittinuar said, "I'm just an ordinary guy in a wheelchair."

One thing is clear: life will never be as easy for those with disabilities as for those whose bodies function perfectly well. The plain fact is that walking to work is easier than rolling a wheelchair down the road.

But that doesn't mean society can shirk its responsibilities to those who are disabled. Because in an ironic way, protecting minorities is really protecting democracy at its purest: recognizing the fundamental importance and dignity of each individual and levelling the playing field for each of a country's citizens.

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

I had a great time getting to know some of the artists who gathered here for the Great Northern Arts Festival and it was well-organized but I felt the entertainment arts were not well-represented.

There are a handful of local musicians who represented the town well with sitting in, but the evenings were sorely lacking in things to do for the visitors.

I really have to hand it to the tolerant Inuvik audience who politely sat through Tom Jackson's performance, applauding and even laughing at the painful prop gags he started his show with.

Myself and a colleague from the National Post were not quite so tolerant and made a hasty exit after I snapped a few photos.

There needs to be a separate focus on evening entertainment for the festival that should include a variety of musical and performing arts of the same calibre found in the gallery.

No peace in the valley

Monday's public meeting over the proposed elders housing at Happy Valley Campground certainly had council rethinking the site selection of this sixplex.

This issue grabbed my attention when I first came to town and I knew it was going to be a contentious issue. That's why I made sure to be at the meeting with cabinet ministers Jim Antoine, Roger Allen and town council on April 8 at 10:30 a.m.

I was there on time and so were a few business people, but the mayor and the ministers were long gone. Apparently, the meeting was pushed forward, but no one thought to notify the press or the public. It stank of a backroom deal to me at the time and it still stinks today. Said and done, the construction and servicing of this building will cost about $2 million in tax dollars and another $2 million more to replace the campground. Add on the $800,000 that RWED spent on developing the campground and you get a cost to the people of nearly $5 million to house six people. This public meeting should have been held. With the elected officials there to answer why it makes sense that six people will get publicly funded houses at the sake of losing a public resource forever.

Granted, this campground doesn't make a lot of money, in fact none of RWED's campgrounds are intended to. They are operated to break even and to encourage travellers to bring their dollars into our businesses. Tourism is not a big part of the economy, but it won't get any bigger either if we tear down rather than build up.

Some business people here are taking a lot of heat because they are taking a stand on this issue. There is talk of greed and disrespect and that has no place in this argument.

Respect begets respect and people should have a right to stand up to defend their businesses and their children's futures without being insulted. Julie Morrison spoke of traditional decision-making and how decisions should be based on the outcome seven generations in the future.

Anyone saying 'no' to this project is not saying 'no' to the elders, they are saying 'yes' for the next seven generations.

There are six elders who would like to spend their golden years on the same piece of land they tramped out of the Delta mud to call home 40 years ago. That's a very nice sentiment, but what will that piece of land mean to the next seven generations of elders?

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum

By this weekend, they'll be off ... planes carrying athletes heading for the North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg.

Twenty-five teams are scheduled to participate in the event -- more than 6,000 athletes and close to 1,200 coaches. Participants will not only come from most Canadian provinces and three territories, but also from several American states including Florida, New Mexico and New York.

For those of us who have gone on such road trips, think back to how exciting they were. There may be a little apprehension thrown into the mix, but most of the athletes will be readily immersed in their surroundings and actively engaged in socializing.

Competitively, the North is at a disadvantage. This is nothing unusual. With a small pool of athletes spread out over such vast tracts of land, there's little or no opportunity for the teams to practice together.

There are those who believe the territorial government should make funding available to ensure NWT teams can workout as a collective prior to the games. The GNWT has coughed up $270,000 this year to help cover expenses for the close to 200 NWT participants in the games. If team fundraising doesn't generate enough to allow for full practices before the games, then that's the way it goes.

The NWT has acquitted itself well in many national sporting events over the years. The right attitude heading into the North American Indigenous Games is that of midget girls soccer coach Val Gendron -- demand 100 per cent effort and "whatever happens, happens."

There are valuable cultural and social aspects to these games, which occur every four years. If the NWT's athletes bring home medals, it is really just a bonus.

Blacktop headaches

Fort Liard is getting it's main street chipsealed. That's great news for residents who are tired of bouncing around in their vehicles, particularly after a solid rain creates potholes and pitted roads.

The down side to chipseal, and more recently to pavement, as Fort Simpson has found out, is that some drivers have a penchant for squealing their tires at late hours. There are those who, although few in number, insist on waking up the neighbourhood with their irresponsible antics.

The advent of chipseal may also been seen by some motorists as a green light for drag races, putting the pedal to the metal.

Fortunately, as the blacktop is being laid a new protective services officer will be on duty in Fort Liard. It is a position that hadn't been filled over the past year. So if any leadfooted driver decides to make a nuisance of himself, the protective services officer can deal with him. If the leadfoot reaches the point of reckless driving, there are RCMP members who can lay charges as well.

For everyone else, enjoy the smooth ride.