Now that the fight over health care funding has come to a satisfactory conclusion, we have one thing to say to Prime Minister Jean Chretien: Thanks.

We mean that with all sincerity. Without the Prime Minister's ignorance, at least lack of understanding, the North would never have hit the national stage.

Indeed, Chretien's actions have united the Northern territories as never before.

Let's recount what happened.

Premier Stephen Kakfwi and his territorial and provincial counterparts struck an informal agreement that the territories should receive an extra $20 million each.

That would make up for the extra cost of providing health care in the North.

When they got to Ottawa to meet with Chretien, they found the feds unwilling to budge from the per capita mantra.

Angry, the territories walked away from negotiations.

Their tough stand generated more than headlines across Canada.

It caused a wave of anger to sweep from the Yukon to Nunavut.

Northern MPs jumped into the fray in a most uncharacteristically public way.

Bound by party and cabinet loyalties, they faced reprimand if they spoke out against the government.

Still, they rolled up their sleeves, set up meetings and did the political dirty work that's unfortunately necessary to accomplish anything in Ottawa these days.

The real heroes, however, are premiers Kakfwi, Okalik and Fentie. They stood their ground and served notice: the North will no longer be ignored.

Unfortunately, it took a major national crisis to put our real needs front and centre. Chretien himself admitted in the House of Commons that per capita funding doesn't work in the North.

Yet it took a major campaign to get the promise the premiers won yesterday: $60 million and plans to study how to solve the per capita problem on a long-term basis.

Still, while the health battle may have been won, there are many battles still to fight: education funding, infrastructure needs and economic development.

We can't wait for round two.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

And, in some cases, what appears to be a desperate measure is, in reality, a calculated risk.

There will be more than a few political pundits maintaining that Jack Anawak got lucky with the fallout after Premier Paul Okalik removed his portfolio last week.

We beg to differ.

What happened last week was evidence of one more ace up the sleeve of a veteran political warrior.

And, politically speaking, it was a stroke of pure brilliance.

Two weeks ago, outside of Anawak's last stronghold in his Rankin Inlet North riding (local elders), the MLA's popularity was at an all-time low among his constituents.

During the past week, petitions have been started in support of Anawak, with everyone from Mayor Lorne Kusugak to potential election foe Tagak Curley having voiced their displeasure over Okalik's decision.

In one fell swoop Anawak has gone from being almost off the political radar screen, to being the most talked about politician in Nunavut.

Make no mistake about it, Anawak knew very well what the ramifications of speaking out against the PPD's move to Baker Lake from Rankin would be after that decision was reached in cabinet.

He's been around far too long not to have realized it, especially with the somewhat strained relationship he and the premier have been enduring for the past while.

He also knew, if he played his cards right, he would be viewed by his constituents as a champion of the people -- the old warrior rising up to defend their dreams for a different type of government against a power-hungry premier.

Anawak must now work hard to hold onto his regained popularity until it's time for voters to go to the polls.

As for the premier, he's busy lobbying behind closed doors to have a non-confidence motion tabled against Anawak when the legislative assembly reconvenes March 4.

If he doesn't get the 10 necessary winks to oust Anawak from cabinet, the premier will face an in-house crisis of his own.

Anawak has taken a potentially career-ending situation and turned in into a political rejuvenation.

His title, be it minister without portfolio or MLA, for the rest of this government is immaterial.

In fact, he would be better positioned to voice the concerns of his constituents simply as an MLA for the rest of the term.

What matters most to Anawak is that he positions himself for another election win so he can continue to voice those concerns.

Editorial Comment
Terry Halifax
Inuvik Drum

Denny Rodgers didn't wear work boots, running shoes or even moccasins to unveil the Town of Inuvik's 2003 budget.

Instead, he wore a pair of Hush Puppies, to quell the voices of residents for and against the town's proposed new dog pound. Mincing few words, he explained this initiative was not going to be the SPCA's, but the town's, and the figure of $200,000 was not cast in stone.

While tempers flared and people voiced their opinions, the public was, overall, respectful. The situation the town is faced with cannot be solved with a proposal from any one interest group, however well-meaning and passionate about their cause.

Bylaws and town initiatives cannot be written or planned on the sometimes fleeting or transient wishes of one group, one person.

Linda Eccles has done so much for the animal population of Inuvik and it is appreciated, but the town cannot simply hand over a cheque or the keys to new building on that basis. Procedures have to be followed in spending tax dollars. A request for proposals regarding a contract is issued and anyone can bid on that contract. Likely Eccles is the best person to run the shelter, but what happens if she moves?

Last year, the town had to buy a street sweeper, because the previous contractor decided he didn't want to sweep streets anymore.

Street sweeping is one thing, but protective services is quite another and the town has to look out for the interests of the public for the long haul.

Pipeline HQ in Yellowknife

It was three years ago that DIAND Minister Robert Nault promised to bring DIAND jobs North from Ottawa-Hull.

That's yet to happen, but perhaps putting the new pipeline office in Yellowknife might be a bit of a payback for the folks in the capital city. Certainly the experiments of decentralization have failed miserably in the North, but that's not what this is about.

Putting a pipeline office in Yellowknife is tantamount to putting a wheat pool in Inuvik, but try and convince DIAND of that. They've been running the North (or is that ruining?) from Ottawa-Hull for years and that's not about to change.

This new office for Canada's pipeline will run from capital to capital; siphoning off the revenue of the Delta to a few bureaucrats in Yellowknife on the way to Ottawa or Hull.

Cloudy cafes

The smoking petition seemed to draw a pretty favourable response from council. It all but looks like a done deal and I think that's a good thing. While on vacation, I was on a plane that had still had ashtrays on the arm rests. The guy next to me and I got to talking about how attitudes have changed over smoking.

I remember standing over fresh produce in the grocery store with a stinky smoke hanging from my mouth and we both recalled when the whole plane was a smoking section.

It's a metamorphosis that's long overdue in public places, but I think council should leave the licensed establishments alone.

Going to a bar is a choice made by adults. They know that drinking and smoking are not healthy lifestyle choices, but it is their choice. If I were a bar owner, I would certainly take offence to government telling me how to run my business.

Prohibiting smoking in bars will only drive drunks onto the streets and I think we get quite enough of that here already.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum

The Mackenzie Regional Youth Conference was a lot of fun.

Many students, not surprisingly, were preoccupied with catching the eye of members of the opposite sex. There was plenty of posturing and giggling.

Yes, there were a few students who wandered off when they should have been in a session. There were a few others who didn't pay much attention to the presenter(s). But there were also many youth who gained new knowledge, skills and self-confidence.

In particular, the girls who took part in the modern dance workshop with Jennifer McLeod seemed absolutely enthralled as they learned a choreographed routine. The whole scene resembled a pop band video or one of those "we're going to make you a star" television shows.

The majority of the sessions wisely had the students involved as active participants rather than just sitting and listening. They built cardboard sleds (or chariots), skied, played soccer and made masks and necklaces.

The conference didn't go without a hitch, but it was surmounted. Friday's keynote speaker, author Myron Wolf Child, cancelled at the last minute due to illness. Principal Jane Arychuk asked Grand Chief Michael Nadli to stretch his opening remarks into a keynote address. Nadli acquiesced and the beat went on.

Timely reminder

Dennis Nelner's tour of Deh Cho communities to discuss an impending Mackenzie Valley pipeline should turn community leaders' thoughts into actions. Although still years away, the project may seem distant but it will be upon us in a relatively short time.

Political and business battles remain to be fought. The formation of a Deh Cho Economic Corporation has been a logical step, but so much more remains to be done.

Smoke no more

One aspect that never arose in the Drum's three-part series on smoking and butting out was weight gain.

Many people who throw away the cigarettes wind up packing on the pounds. Dr. Peter Selby pointed out that nicotine is indeed an appetite suppressant. In addition, many ex-smokers feel strong impulses to reach for a sugary substitute to cigarettes. Dr. Selby advised that low-calorie, low-fat snacks such celery sticks are the best alternative. Starting or continuing an exercise program is also important, he said.

He added those who use nicotine-replacement methods, such as nicotine gum or the patch, generally experience less weight gain than those who do not use those products.

So the argument that excessive weight gain, at some point, becomes a greater health hazard than smoking need not exist. If enough willpower and discipline can be summoned, both battles can be fought at once.

Before closing on the smoking issue, my thanks to all who took part in the series.