Fort Smith (May 26/03) - Most of the territorial cabinet gathered in Fort Smith last week for two days of meetings.

The visit to the South Slave was the latest in a series of meetings the cabinet has held outside Yellowknife over the last several years.

"It forces ministers to get out of their offices," said Premier Stephen Kakfwi, adding sometimes it seems all cabinet members do is process paper.

"I don't want to be a premier who sits in his office," he added.

Kakfwi noted such visits give communities a chance to meet ministers and express local concerns.

While in Fort Smith, the cabinet and senior staff held in-camera sessions, but other meetings were held with local people and organizations. For instance, there were visits to PWK High School and the Western Arctic Leadership Program.

A meeting was also planned between Finance Minister Joe Handley and local aboriginal organizations to continue discussions about possible hydroelectric expansion on the Taltson River.

"Those kind of opportunities are very important," said Michael Miltenberger, the Thebacha MLA and minister of Health and Social Services.

A public reception was also held at Northern Life Museum.

At the reception, Mayor Peter Martselos welcomed the ministers with open arms, literally. He gave Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jake Ootes a bear hug just after announcing the minister's department was providing $40,000 to help with improvements to the museum. That is in addition to about $125,000 in annual funding to the museum from the GNWT.

Martselos invited the cabinet back to Fort Smith at any time.

The mayor noted there was an economic benefit from the dozen or so people in the GNWT delegation, explaining the visit helped restaurants, hotels and other businesses. "Every little bit helps."

In the past, such cabinet meetings have been held in Fort McPherson, Inuvik, Fort Simpson, Hay River and Rae, and the whole Legislative Assembly met in Norman Wells in 1989.