Which one of them, or someone else, wins, depends on much backroom dealing, promises and alliances.

That's no way to elect a premier. At least with federal or provincial party politics, you know who the leader is going into an election. That way, you can cast your vote, in part, based on your choice for prime minister or premier.

Consensus works well for government in the NWT, but all voters should have a direct say on who will be the next premier.

Our informal Internet poll supports this proposal with 74 per cent of those who responded saying they'd prefer a direct vote for premier.

It is a concern that the premier would always be elected from Yellowknife, but would that be true? Stephen Kakfwi came from the Sahtu and was popular around the territories.

Nellie Cournoyea would have been a strong candidate in a territories-wide election, too, and she's from Inuvik.

The premier could pick his or her own cabinet with an eye to the regions. That's a process that is now followed, but should be formalized.

By electing a premier at large, we could look to candidates who can promote a vision for the whole territory, not just their particular riding. That's the challenge we lay at the feet of our incoming government -- strike a committee to see if it's possible, perhaps even hold a territories-wide referendum.

Each Nov. 20 in Canada, children, their parents, child care workers, business owners and political figures take to the streets and march for National Child Day.

You could shrug your shoulders at this, and think it is a waste of time having children marching in the streets with banners.

The little kids cannot understand why they are marching, and the public just gets annoyed at the puzzling traffic jam, as they think, 'Hey, if Santa Claus is not at the end of this parade, then why the heck are we watching this?'

Other people may think the small children marching with their caregivers and parents are certainly adorable, but also that they could all too easily get hit by a car or a truck out there. What is the point? Marches should only be for grown-ups and Santa Claus parades.

But there was at least one significant event on Nov. 20 that made the day more interesting, before anyone left for work that day, and realized it was in fact National Child Day at all.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, the man whose music many people in their 20s and 30s liked at one time, was arrested on child molestation charges.

The details are still unfolding.

Many people are outraged at the coverage, thinking it is too much, too overblown. But the fact is, the timing was eerily good for National Child Day.

Child abuse experts, concerned parents and police officers specializing in child abuse issues were suddenly the only people anyone wanted to interview.

Discussions around dinner tables around the world on Nov. 20 were fast and furious about these kids being allowed to hang out with a celebrity who has been accused of abuse.

Suddenly, all talk was about children, and their safety.

A good thing emerged from a sensational story.

In Iqaluit we marched, even though the city was hit by a blizzard that shut schools down.

It wasn't all that cold. But there were concerns about the kids. But they marched anyway. They got attention. Many of them sang, and whistled, not minding the blowing snow like adults tend to. This was beautiful.

And hopefully, people were not outraged at the traffic jam, or the little ones carrying banners. Hopefully people went home and talked about children, and their place in the world.

That is all the parade was really trying to accomplish.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

It was interesting to hear Coral Harbour's Bruce McKitrick talk about Joseph Nakoolak's attempts to start a wrestling club in Rankin Inlet.

You see, one of the main problems with various programs across our region is that they're individually driven.

Our minor hockey programs have been run by the same small group of volunteers for years.

Cadet programs drift in and out of vogue, depending on who is available in a community at any given time.

And we're just now starting to see movement with our Girl Guides, away from the stronghold of Rankin Inlet.

Too many activities have all their eggs in one or two baskets.

And, if the baskets go, they take the eggs with them.

What makes the Nakoolak situation worth watching is that he's an example of how our programs should work.

Well coached and dedicated for years in Coral, Nakoolak strove for excellence in every meet he attended and his love for the sport was easily recognized.

By starting a wrestling club in Rankin, not only is Nakoolak staying active in his favourite pastime, he is giving something back to the sport that has given so much to him.

Make a difference

We have no shortage of people who want to play the games or enjoy the activities, as long as somebody else does all the work in setting them up.

One of the best-kept secrets in our region is the tremendous amount of satisfaction one receives from doing their share.

Be it a smiling face on a hockey rink, with a soccer ball, shooting hoops, winning a drill competition or reciting their lines -- the opportunity is there for you to help improve our kids' quality of life.

Talk is cheap

What I really wonder about -- when I hear of an organization or an activity in danger of going under due to a lack of volunteers -- is where are all those people who cry about the lack of opportunity whenever we lose one of our precious youth to suicide?

Where are all those voices who say it's so important for our youth to learn about life skills and tradition, once the clock strikes five?

Or, to take it a step further, where does everyone go when they find out there's no honorarium for being involved?

We applaud Nakoolak for his efforts, as well as the small group of people across the region who do so much for our kids year after year.

Lip service can be a wonderful thing, as long as there's someone around to buy into the rhetoric.

But, this year, why not make a difference and exchange words for action?

Trust me, it won't just be the kids who will benefit from your involvement.

Editorial Comment
Jason Unrau
Inuvik Drum

Since I arrived in the territory more than a year ago, whenever the topic of politics came up, there was never a shortage of praise for the consensus-style of government the Northwest Territories embraces.

With the absence of political parties and the resulting partisan politics, the political process moved much more smoothly and agreeably, many would say. Even the very word 'consensus' suggests such an atmosphere.

In theory, another plus is the members' freedom to vote with their conscience in the legislature, without being beholden to toeing the "party line". Admittedly, it all sounds very utopian.

However, when it comes to selecting a premier, the legislative waters become cloudy. While it is done by secret ballot, among elected members of the legislature, the establishment of support for one candidate or another undoubtably plays a role in future cabinet postings. The allegiances formed during this period of lobbying can and, more likely than not, does spill over into subsequent sessions.

And what the voters are left with is a defacto-party system where those who don't toe the line risk being left on the sidelines. Hardly a 'consensus' style of government.

The inimitable Premier Stephen Kakfwi proved this a few years ago when he warned MLA Michael Miltenberger to 'get with the program' or risk alienating his Thebacha riding.

Unfortunate for Kakfwi that his advice to Miltenberger became a matter of public record, but telling nonetheless of how the business of territorial politics works in the NWT.

Granted, there are bigger fish to fry in the upcoming 15th Legislative Assembly than revamping the system of government. And as far as possible premiers go, Inuvik is sitting in a good position to have one of its own in top spot for the next four years. Both Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland and Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen have declared their candidacy for the premier's office, joining Weledeh MLA Joe Handley in the race.

Nevertheless, with Prime Minister-in-waiting Paul Martin talking parliamentary reform, now is as good a time as any to stimulate discussion on whether or not the territory's own system could use some revamping.

For starters, MLAs should not be allowed to declare their candidacy for premier until the election is completed and all of the MLAs determined. The system as it is can offer an unfair advantage to incumbent MLAs attempting to maintain their seats. Why vote for candidate (y) when candidate (x) has previously worked with a potential premier?

Barring the introduction of political parties, a second general election for premier might be an option to allow for the people to elect their leader. This way offers the potential for a more legitimate consensus style of government as MLAs would have to work with the people's choice, rather than that of the power-players in Yellowknife.

However, some argue that were such a scenario to exist, the number of voters in Yellowknife would almost certainly assure a candidate from the capital an unfair advantage. And those in the outlying communities certainly don't want to encourage further 'centralization' of government.

To get around this concern, perhaps a second round of voting in each riding could take place, in which constituents would empower their MLA to cast his or her vote for a premier candidate.

While no system of government is perfect, there is certainly room for improvement in the territory.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum

As we are in the midst of National Addictions Awareness Week, some relevant thoughts come to mind. First off, a tip of the (cowboy) hat to Gilbert Fantasque for having the courage to speak publicly about his battle with the bottle. The article can be found in this week's News/North addictions supplement.

Outside of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, some people don't care to discuss their demons. Their decision is to be respected.

However, it is valuable to have people candidly reflect on how detrimental addictions can be and how to seek help. To Gilbert's credit, he is not only is working towards his ninth year of sobriety, he has made a point of helping elders with various chores. He's also willing to offer moral support to others who find themselves mired in the same sorry predicament in which he found himself earlier in his life. There are profiles of others in the Addictions Supplement who are also prepared to reach out to others, but the key is that each addict must want that help.

On another note, there's periodical criticism of Deh Cho Health and Social Services when nursing shortages arise. In Fort Providence, there was only one nurse on staff for several weeks. It was a temporary situation, but it's a sore point for the community. At the same time, the Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation's drug and alcohol worker position sat vacant for two months, and is only expected to be filled this week. Just as having one nurse instead of three is unacceptable, so is failing to provide a service as crucial as addictions counselling.

It's also worth mentioning that Deh Cho Health and Social Services is planning to have a couple of mental health specialists working in the region soon. That's been a long time coming, and it should be a welcome relief to the region's alcohol and drug counsellors and social workers.

Finally, sometimes it seems that the purpose of NAA week is to draw attention to alcoholism, the effects of which are highly visible. Let's remember that people can be addicted to many things: food or dieting, gambling, drugs (including prescriptions), smoking and so on. Each is destructive in its own way. National Addictions Awareness Week is about recognition of all these conditions. The battle against them and the toll they take on people and their loved ones goes on year round.

In Wednesday's edition of Yellowknifer, it was incorrectly stated the NWT Arts and Crafts Guild is looking for a new home. In fact, only the pottery wing of the guild is looking for a new space. Yellowknifer regrets the error.

In the Nov. 19 edition of Yellowknifer, Legion manager Lorne Power was incorrectly identified as Neil Power. We apologize for this error.