Yellowknife (Feb 16/05) - Jim Bourque, Rev. James Sperry and Sarah Simon are three names flowing into Yellowknifer this week to attach to the new federal government building.

The four-storey Franklin Street edifice will use unique heat- saving and energy generating features, so it needs a unique name to welcome it into Yellowknife's downtown.

Yellowknifers have until midnight Feb. 18 to submit names to a committee, but there are no clear favourites.

Hal Mills likes "Jim Bourque Place" to recognize a man who was "an exceptional aboriginal activist, leader spokesperson and statesman." For Pearl Benyk, the curvaceous building should be named for Sarah Simon, a 100-year-old Gwich'in elder active in the Anglican Church.

"Sarah helped many, adopted several children and was generally a servant of the people," Benyk said.

Rev. James Sperry was a "simple preacher" who was always keen to talk of promoting aboriginal culture and preserving traditional hunting grounds. That's what makes him Suzanne Wade's choice.

Another choice went for the practical.

"I suggest the name Franklin Federal Building," said Sami Zakout. "The name Franklin means a lot to everyone and is easy for newcomers to Yellowknife to tell the taxi drivers."

Here are what suggestions to Yellowknifer's phone line came up with:

• The building should be named the Tso T'ine Nation building. It's on the Tso T'ine homeland.
• The new federal building should be called Vic Ingraham. He did wonderful things for the North. He's well known and respected in the North. He built the first hotel here.
• It should be named the Big White Elephant and translated into all the different languages - aboriginal, French, English - and printed on the side of the building where everyone can see it. It's a total waste of money. Everything but a practical square corner exists in that building.
• I have two ideas for a name for the new federal building. One of them, is Ottawa North. My second choice would be Sundog. Not the Sundog Building. Not the Sundog Centre. Just Sundog.
• I would like to submit the name: the Arctica Building. Arctica has a nice ring to it and we are in the North and it's one word, it's simple and kind of covers it all. - Barbara Beck
• You should consider Darcy Arden. He's a mix of both races, travelled by dog team when he was a young fellow from Great Bear Lake all the way down to Yellowknife and beyond. Worked very long and hard in the mining industry and was on the water board for many years. A very regal fellow. - Tom Hoefer

Make your vote count!

Look at these suggestions, or come up with your own, and send your choices by Internet to the federal government: www.pwgsc.gc.ca; OR fax them to (780) 497-3669.

The winning name will be announced when the building is officially opened this year.