Herb Mathisen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 9, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Norman Yakeleya, minister of transportation, told MLAs the federal transportation minister committed to doing a study on the possibility of an "Arctic gateway and trade corridor" down the Mackenzie Valley which hinges on an "over the top" marine shipping route in the Arctic Ocean.

"The importance of developing an NWT Arctic gateway will continue to expand due to a rise in the demand for imported goods, the export of Canadian commodities, climate change and technological advancement," said Yakeleya Monday.

Products could be shipped down the Mackenzie River through Hay River and then transported over ground to the south.

The project would "further develop the communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Hay River and Fort Smith as significant marine service centres," said Yakeleya.

Dene fonts

David Krutko, MLA for Mackenzie Delta, said Dene language documents are harder and harder to produce with the existing outdated Dene fonts which are not compatible with present day computer software.

"The Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute as well as the government urgently need Dene fonts incorporated into the Unicode system. That way, everyone who opens any computer program can read and write documents with the Dene language," said Krutko, last Wednesday.

Krutko pointed to a committee review in 2003 that recommended proceeding with work to modernize Dene fonts. Krutko said he was frustrated from what he saw as no movement having been made. A meeting, scheduled to look at these issues last week was put off until late August.

"With the government seriously stating their support for aboriginal languages, it needs to demonstrate action by helping to maintain and revitalize our Dene languages," said Krutko. "The time for lip service is over."

Elders need doctor visits

Concerns were raised, Tuesday, by Jackie Jacobson, MLA for Nunakput, about elders in the community of Ulukhaktok not having been seen by doctors since January. He asked Health Minister Sandy Lee to visit his constituency to see the situation and hear complaints first hand.

Lee said there have been shortages of physicians in the region.

"There are six, I believe, physician positions allocated for the Beaufort Delta," said Lee. "They have never been able to hire all six. We have about four, and we have to then use locum services for that."

Menicoche: man of petitions

In the first two weeks of session, Kevin Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh, has presented the legislative assembly with six petitions from constituents in his riding, ranging from ferry service to privatization of maintenance services at the Fort Simpson airport.

"It's the first time I have seen a member present so many petitions in such a short time period," said Speaker Paul Delorey, who has been an MLA since 1999.