Hay River (Jan 03/05) - As with every turn of calendar years, the arrival of 2005 brings hope that positive changes will come with the new year.

A small sampling in the South Slave has brought about a desire for more togetherness and community involvement.

Sharon Pekok says people should work together more.

In Fort Smith, Mike Beaver hopes for unity.

"I'd like to see unity between the bands, the Metis and the town," says Beaver.

The carver says the community has got to work together for the sake of future generations. "We've got to set an example for them."

Also in Fort Smith, Cindy Plowman would like to see more people volunteer to help the community and share knowledge with other people.

The teacher's assistant and culture co-ordinator at PWK high school notes it is always difficult to get people involved in community groups. "It seems to be always the same people," she says.

Sharon Pekok of Hay River has the same idea for a better 2005.

"For me, it would be people in the community working together to make it a better community," says the program co-ordinator at Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre.

She says when there are meetings on community issues, more people should attend.

In Enterprise, Vicki Kimble calls for peace and harmony in her community.

"If everyone got along with everybody in a small community like this, it would be awesome," she says.

The well-known senior says Enterprise residents don't seem to participate in community events. She points to an early December flea market where most of the people came from Hay River and Kakisa.

Kimble says she doesn't understand why that happens. "I've been trying to figure it out for a long time," she says.

Leonard Beaulieu of Fort Resolution would like to see more power for MLAs.

"I think if the MLAs had a little more power, they might get more for people," Beaulieu says.

He says people are dependent on MLAs to help them, but some don't understand that their government representatives have limited power.