Yellowknife (Nov 19/04) - The Yellowknife Catholic School Board hosted visitors over the weekend in an effort to renew contacts and share ideas on their position as the only faith-based board in the territory.

Marilyn Welsch, president of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association, and Patrick Maguire, acting executive director, toured YCS schools, met the board and students, and had an informal meeting with Education Minister Charles Dent.

As superintendent Kern Von Hagen explained, the experience and strength of their southern neighbours are valuable assets to Yellowknife Catholic Schools.

"We have to make sure we aren't taken for granted (in the NWT)," he said. "There are elements in play that force us to be vigilant."

A common theme among all four was that Catholic schools hold an important, but possibly unstable position in society and couldn't afford to be complacent in protecting their rights.

The fear, however remote, is that the NWT could lose its Catholic schools the way Newfoundland did, said Von Hagen.

"It isn't out of order to think that might cross someone's mind," he said.

Strengthen the relationship

Welsch said she and Maguire were there for "renewal"; to strengthen the relationship between her association and the YCS. She estimated YCS had held membership with the ACSTA for over 20 years.

"It is a support system for YCS," explained Von Hagen. "It's nice to know there's an organization to rely on."

He said the strengths of the ACSTA are in the constitutionality and legal aspects of Catholic education, as well as in advocacy and networking.

YCS chair Shannon Gullberg added that tapping into that experience helps YCS in the North.

"I don't think we can take (our system) for granted. We have to be able to protect and promote it."

Welsch and Maguire both said they were impressed with YCS's work in the North.

"I think this board has been really innovative," said Welsch.

"The community here should be extremely proud."

"I think we have a lot to learn from the board here," she said.

Maguire admired the students. "One thing that impressed me going through the schools was the amount of respectful behaviour," he said.