Rae-Edzo (May 23/05) - Plans are underway to find a new home for the Rae-Edzo post office.

The facility was scheduled to close at the end of this month, but it could be moved to the hamlet's Northern store.

"We're working with Canada Post right now. We are interested in that business," said John Bouchard of the Northwest Company.

The post office is located in the same building as the Co-op, which closed at the end of March.

But even if a deal is not reached by the May 31 deadline, Canada Post spokesperson John Caines says a temporary office will be established and service will not be interrupted.

Residents say the post office has been without essential items such as stamps or money orders since the first week of May.

"If you don't have your letter stamped already, they won't take it," said Louisa Wedzin, the community's finance officer. "It's like our lifeline."

"People are complaining, but nothing is getting done about it," said Rose Dryneck, who has been encouraging concerned friends to contact Canada Post.

Having travelled once to Yellowknife to buy stamps, Dryneck estimates each trip uses about $60 worth of gas.

When the Co-op closed, Caines says stamps and other items such as money orders - worth thousands of dollars - were removed because the location was not secure.

"Once we find a new business, then we'll put those products back in," Caines said.

Moved from the hamlet office to its current location about five years ago, elders cannot remember the community being without a post office.

"It's no good without a post office in any community. We'll have to get another place," said Alphonse Eronchi, 85.

Former mayor Dan Marion said there may be other businesses in the community willing to provide the service.

"The post office has not told anyone what its plans are. There are a lot of business people in the community that might even erect a building in the community and call it a post office," said Marion, CEO of the Dogrib Nation Group of Companies.

Rumours that Our Video store might be willing to handle the mail appear to be untrue.

"It's going to be too much for me. I'm already doing the bus depot and the lottery," said Marie Lafferty, who runs the confectionary and grocery store, which no longer rents videos.