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A solar telescope on top of Robertson Shaft? Why not?

This latest suggestion is one of many to come forward since it was announced that the NWT's tallest man-made structure would be torn down following the closure of Con mine in 2003.

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Some of the others include a bungee jump platform, a restaurant, a museum and an entry point to tap geothermal heat to help keep the city warm in winter. Whatever becomes of Robertson Shaft, it's clear there's a general consensus in Yellowknife to keep it out of the scrap heap.

The city wants it to stay; boaters and pilots like it because it's a beacon to help guide them back to the city; Con Mine's owner, Newmont Mining, says it wants to see the structure remain standing as a mining heritage site.

Mine manager Ron Connell said Newmont will gladly fork over money set aside for its destruction and put it towards its upkeep instead.

The problem facing the 40-year-old building and its admirers is the federal government's mine reclamation policy, which requires all structures on mine sites to be demolished and capped once they're closed.

It's clear Newmont is waiting for a viable option to free the company of its obligation to tear down the shaft. The latest deadline was supposed to see it come down this summer. It's been postponed again to next year but Newmont can't wait forever.

If NASA and the Canadian Space Agency want to take over the liability and put Robertson Shaft to good use, it would be wonderful. If not, now is the time firm up ideas and the will to keep Robertson Shaft alive.

The more parties who get involved and commit to its future - the city, businesses, territorial and federal governments - the more likely it will stay.

Edmonton has cows. Toronto has moose. And now Yellowknife will have ravens.

The latest big beautification project is a follow-up to the raven statues that have been placed on light poles in the downtown district. A group of artists have been granted the funds needed - a little more than $16,000 in municipal funds - to now create larger fibreglass ravens to be placed around town.

The city's support for local artists and for beautification should be applauded. Our artists' work is an important part of our culture and it is important they are able to use their talents for residents and tourists to enjoy.

There's been a lot of talk lately of "polishing the gem" (cleaning the city's image), and the raven project will certainly add to this.

But the mess of garbage in the downtown core won't be hidden by artwork, and the city should concentrate on cleaning up what's already covering our streets.

Those who have been seen cleaning up other people's mess as part of the downtown cleanup mission deserve a pat on the back, but we can't allow our enthusiasm to slow.

I'm going to start my first column with what might be a major confession for a Kivalliq News reporter: I don't really know anything about sports.

But while I don't have the same handle on that particular topic as my colleague Darrell Greer, I'm more than willing to learn and I sure got a head start on my softball education this weekend at the Calm Air Cup.

Right now I'm just trying to find my way around Rankin Inlet and get the lay of the land as quick as I can. On my first day picking up the newspapers, I actually ended up at the dump rather than the airport.

So if you see some lost-looking stranger wandering around, please point her in the right direction. As you read this I've got another five weeks to go before heading back home to Iqaluit, and I want to spend less time getting lost and more time actually doing stuff!

Aside from chatting with everyone I can, one of my favourite sources of information here so far has been the local radio station. That's something I seem to miss out on in the big capital city. Sure we have bulletin boards - where no little amount of commerce and communication takes place - and some radio, but it's just not the same.

What a powerful (and fun) tool it can be. Like this month, when a fisherman in Chester' spotted a shark, his first destination on land was to the local radio station there to let everyone know.

All day long here in the office, I hear messages to call family members, events listings and birthdays -- all those little pieces of information that keep a community tight and chugging along.

And then there's the wonderful mix of music. Who doesn't love a segue between Inuktitut punk rock ("Aaka! Aaka! Aaka!") and Dolly Parton's 9 to 5?

I like to think a community newspaper can play the same part - minus the sound - in getting the good stories out. That's what I strive for at my regular post with Nunavut News/North and I would love to do the same during my time here.

And hey, with travel getting so expensive these days, it's an easy way to keep in touch with what's happening in other communities without leaving the ground.

Thanks to everyone who has been so welcoming already, and feel free to drop by the office and let me know what Rankin Inlet and Kivalliq are all about. I'm up for pretty much anything.

Finally, if there are any pickers and singers out there ... I'm always up for a jam!

- Darrell Greer, the regular editor of the Kivalliq News, returns in September

One thing the Deh Cho could use more of is handgames.

After watching most of the action at the Mackenzie Days' handgames tournament in Fort Providence, I was reminded what a great activity it is.

Anyone who's been to a good handgames tournament can attest to the fact that when a game is underway there's an almost electrifying current in the room.

When a large group of experienced drummers starts playing to urge on the teams it immediately adds to the liveliness of the tournament. Handgames without drumming would be like watching an action movie without sound -- the experience wouldn't be anywhere near the same.

The beat of the drum and the singing of the drummers affects both the players and the audience. Audience members find it difficult to resist the urge to, at the least, tap their toes in rhythm with the drumming. The drumming has an even greater effect on the players who use it to time their movements as they tease and taunt the opposing team. The movements of the players are almost a performance in itself. Smiles break out across the faces of audience members when a player puts on a particularly good show as they reveal their token isn't in the hand that was chosen.

Handgames are also a great way to practise aspects of the Dene culture. Handgames combine drumming along with the game itself. Add some instructions given in Slavey and it's a self-contained lesson in culture.

Handgames are also beneficial because they teach the importance of teamwork. The whole purpose of handgames is that they foster collectiveness, said Samuel Gargan, who played on Louie Bonnetrouge's Fort Providence team during the tournament.

Although a person can be skilled at playing handgames, all their experience counts for nothing unless they work with the rest of the team. Handgames are about group effort, not individual achievement, said Gargan.

If anyone needs another reason to promote handgames there's also the fact that the tournaments bring together people from different communities and forge bonds between them. Many handgames players are quick to say they enjoy the social aspect of the tournaments.

During the summer the two main handgames tournaments in the Deh Cho happen at Mackenzie Days in Fort Providence and at the annual spiritual gathering in Wrigley. The Deh Cho certainly has room for more handgames tournaments and could definitely benefit from them.

In the past month, many of us have experienced loss, with the tragic deaths of family members and friends.

Our community also suffered the loss of respected elder Billy Day, who was instrumental in the growth of the Inuvialuit people and our region.

All of those loved ones that died this summer will be remembered for their contributions to our community and society.

Billy Day used his time on this earth to fight for those around him. He was a strong, outspoken voice in the region.

He accomplished what he set out to do: strengthen this region and ensure the Inuvialuit people stay on the right path.

Being respectful of others and caring for the people around you are two lessons that can be learned from Billy's professional life.

People like Billy Day and Victor Allen are the true heroes of the aboriginal culture. They knew how to survive on the land and how to work with the needs of others, to help teach their ways.

One of the most memorable summers of my life happened with the Allen clan at their seasonal home on Baby Island.

I was working with Victor's son Dennis, shooting some footage for a video project of ours.

Dennis extended the invitation to take me on the land and it was played off as a joke, because I didn't have any experience being in the Delta, or off a paved road for that matter.

I was as green as the trees that hung themselves over the river water, as if trying to get a drink of the silt-stream.

Victor was always there to answer a question or to give direction on what should be done next.

He taught me about being responsible because any oversight could mean a lot of lost time, especially when you're travelling by boat.

Once we got to the camp, it was obvious that Victor had also spent many years teaching his son and family about the right way to prepare a whale camp.

Dennis was barking orders at me and the whole time stayed busy himself. Everyone was always preoccupied with another activity, whether it was gathering logs for firewood, or water to drink.

Even years later, after Dennis and I had parted ways professionally, Victor and I kept a strong relationship, always looking back to that summer I got my bush-legs broken in.

"You'll have to come back out with us some time soon," Victor would tell me, promising that he would let me have more fun the next time around.

In my experiences with Victor, he always knew what he was talking about. He was the man who knew what he was doing and he cared for the people around him.

The greatest similarity between Billy Day and Victor Allen is they were devoted to helping others around them. Now, with them gone, we'll need to stay strong and keep passing their message on through the community for future generations.

The memory of these men will last forever in the hearts of their families. Their lessons should last as long in the minds of people of our region.

Yellowknifer apologizes for any embarrassment or confusion caused by the error.