Yellowknife (July 21/06) - NDP leader Jack Layton and his wife and fellow MP Olivia Chow arrive in Yellowknife today.

The members of parliament were to experience Northern culture and discuss the issues close to Northerners' hearts.

NDP Leader Jack Layton, left, pictured with Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington, is in Yellowknife this weekend supporting local community groups. - NNSL file photo

Joining them will be Western Arctic NDP MP Dennis Bevington.

"Issues of the North are front and centre in our party," Bevington said.

Northerners are concerned about the cost of living, land agreement settlements in the Deh Cho region and the growing issue concerning climate change around the world, and in particular, the North, Bevington said.

Bevington and the Western Arctic NDP Riding Association have arranged several activities for the pair including a Friday night fundraiser at the Elks Hall. Fifty per cent of the fundraiser's profits will go to the Side Door Youth Drop-In Centre and the Centre for Northern Families.

The money will support youth initiatives.

Chow will speak to women's and children's groups in Yellowknife Saturday morning, followed by a celebration at the Yellowknife Legion commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion.

After the weekend's festivities, Bevington will accompany the two on a canoe trip on the Nahanni River for about five days starting in Fort Simpson.

Bevington said he is hoping to attend the 36th Dene National Assembly July 27 to 31 in Hay River.

Western Arctic NDP Riding Association spokesperson Mark Heyck said Layton is making an effort to recognize the needs of Northerners by visiting.

"This will be the third time in about the last year," he said. "(Jack) definitely seems to like the North."

Heyck said the association has also made efforts to raise Northern awareness within the NDP party.

Topics discussed with other NDP organizations are increasing the Northern Residents tax credit, per capita funding for programs like day care and supporting a strong plan to combat climate change.

"The North is such a big place," Bevington said.

"I just spent a couple of days in Holman on the Arctic Ocean and it really reinforced with me the importance of people understanding all of the things that the North is."