Yellowknife (Mar 10/04) - "Speak softly and carry a big stick," is sage advice that has been conveyed through generations.

In the NWT Legislative Assembly, that big stick is a 12 kilogram mace. It's a bronze cast of a narwhal tusk, comes topped with a snowflake crown, golden orb and is studded a 1.31. carat diamond and 33 gold nuggets.

Tony Whitford was Sergeant-at-Arms in the NWT Legislative Assembly from 1996 to mid-1998.

The person who gets to lug that stick around is the Sergeant at Arms. Until recently, that job fell to Nicole Latour-Theede. She's left the job and now the hunt is on for someone to replace her. The Legislative Assembly recently issued a "Request for Proposals" from people interested in taking over the post.

It's a mainly ceremonial job, but comes with tremendous significance, said former MLA and Speaker Tony Whitford, who was sergeant at arms for 2.5 years.

"Historically, in Great Britain the Sergeant-at-Arms was a guardian who carried a big club used to protect the King from the public," he said.

Today, that person ceremonially leads the way by carrying the mace into each day's session of the legislature assembly -- a symbol of his or her authority to protect the Speaker of the Assembly.

"And the Sergeant-at-Arms looks after the mace, which is an instrument of authority," he said.

Recalling his years in the position, he said today it involves being head of chamber security and overseeing the pages who work there.

With only 14 Sergeants-at-Arms in all of Canada, Whitford said the position also exalts chamber authority in a ceremonial context.

"It was a very interesting and rewarding position, being able to carry on the protocol of the position.

"I also had the opportunity to attend three international conferences for Sergeants-at-Arms -- one of them here in the North," he said.

While once very recognizable in the position because of the attire -- special hats, jackets, sashes, waistcoats, tails and trousers with stripes -- today, more conservative dress is worn.

"Here in the North, they generally require a dark blazer with a grey skirt or trousers," he said.

Nevertheless, when the shout of "order" is heard during the procession into the chamber, there is no mistaking the authoritative voice of the NWT Sergeant-at-Arms performing his or her duties.

If you're interested, better hurry. The deadline for submitting your proposal is March 22.