Yellowknife (Nov 12/04) - Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew said territorial groups should take full advantage of national crime prevention money, lest the federal government decides to do away with the program.

Blondin-Andrew made an announcement of $480,000 to support 22 territorial community-crime prevention initiatives through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, Monday.

The projects include everything from a women's sewing circle in Wha Ti to an on-the-land healing program in Lutsel K'e -- all mainly designed to keep youth active and out of trouble.

Blondin-Andrew said she is worried the federal government might kill the program if it doesn't receive enough interest when the next funding cycle rolls around.

She said the current program is at the end of its five-year funding cycle.

"If people don't say anything about (national strategy) programs ending, the government figures, well, it's done its job, it's run its course, don't worry about it," said Blondin-Andrew. She said she hasn't heard any word in Ottawa about the program's potential demise, but she has been "around long enough to know that it happens."

"These things just have a tendency to be forgotten and then you wake up one day, it's gone, and everybody is screaming, but it's too late," said Blondin-Andrew.

Blondin-Andrew said the 22 programs currently operating in the NWT are a "very innovative" approach to tackling teen crime.