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Tin Can Hill is a special place, no doubt about that, but it should not be a no-development zone.

The authors of the latest draft general plan for the city clearly think Tin Can Hill is fit for residential housing. And that's not surprising considering its vast size - 56 hectares, close proximity to existing neighbourhoods and infrastructure, and a desirable shoreline on which to build.

Some city councillors, particularly Mark Heyck, have fought hard to leave Tin Can solely in the hands of hikers and dog walkers. Heyck was successful in having references to "immediate development" removed from the 2004 general plan, but not in having it rezoned to parks and recreation.

Yellowknifer's view has always been that there is room for homes as well as trails there.

The city is already working on a road in the area to service the water treatment plant it's building. The ongoing work is bound to shock some people walking on Tin Can trails but if the city does a good job building this laneway, the rubble and slashed brush blighting the land now won't stay there for long.

The new road will be a perfect entry point for future development and surely the city has considered this.

It's land for development - not greenspace - that's difficult to find in this city.

Those who have a hard time believing this should take an extended walk through the wilderness that fills the area around Frame Lake Trail. One person who went missing there last year managed to elude detection for three whole weeks despite the sizable manhunt for him.

Allowing a moderate amount of development at Tin Can Hill will make it a safer place to visit, and it would discourage squatters and illegal dumping. That's why it makes sense to list the area for potential development in the 2011 general plan.

It's a contentious issue but it's a dialogue worth having again.

Last week, there was an election in the Northwest Territories and only 48 per cent of voters bothered to cast a ballot.

Over in neighbouring Yukon, this week's election saw a turnout of 76 per cent, about the same as always.

Clearly the biggest drag on voter turnout in the NWT was Yellowknife voters. Barely a third of them made it to the polls.

If it was a one-time anomaly it would be easier to brush it off as voter fatigue from the federal election in May; but it isn't. Voter turnout has been declining in the NWT since division with Nunavut in 1999.

Chief electoral officer David Brock suggests, however, and rather cryptically, that the turnout wasn't as bad as the percentages show in this election because the voters list has increased by 20 per cent since the last territorial election in 2007.

If true, it's a particularly depressing piece of information because it means voter turnout in post-division NWT has always been abysmally low.

This ought to be of special concern for our elected leaders if they hope to govern with any legitimacy. It's hard for them to lay claim to being the people's representatives if little more than 10 per cent of voters are casting votes for them, as was the case in many Yellowknife ridings last week.

But we also must ask Brock what he plans to do about it. As the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce pointed out, Elections NWT wasn't a very visible entity in this election. It's hard to recall many encouragements made to vote by Elections NWT in any form.

Its decision not to hold an election night event at the legislative assembly or put polling stations in the mines feeds this perception.

Politicians need to address the persistently low turnout, and so does Elections NWT.

Do you remember being a child and stumbling across something embarrassing or awkward or scary in a film, and covering your face with your hands?

It's a natural reaction, almost a reflex, which in this context acts as a protective barrier for the young.

Unfortunately, when you get older, sometimes that reflex does more harm than good. Shielding yourself from problems and pretending they're not there can have serious consequences.

Across the Deh Cho, this is the case when it comes to family violence.

Behind closed doors in Fort Liard, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Wrigley, Fort Providence and Kakisa, people are being abused.

Last week a group of local organizations in Fort Simpson banded together to try and raise awareness of this fact.

During Family Violence Awareness Week, which ran from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7, they held information booths, church services, a drum dance, a family night, a barbecue and the Take Back the Night March.

The Stanley Isaiah Wellness Centre also hosted a T-shirt painting workshop to decorate old frocks with words of encouragement and strength.

The goal: put this untouchable issue out in the open, for everyone to see and everyone to talk about.

"Family violence is huge here. It's a major issue and the thing is that a lot of people don't even realize that," said Amy Fraser-Michaud, a social worker with Dehcho Health and Social Services.

"They don't even realize that beating their wife, beating their kids – they don't even realize that's wrong. It's the norm for them."

What's even scarier is that some organizations in Fort Simpson refused to help, even after approached to paint t-shirts in support of the cause, according to Fraser-Michaud.

"People don't want to get involved, ever, and I think it's the wrong attitude to go about family violence, because it's not going to stop if you have a whole bunch of silent people," she said.

Silence when it comes to family violence isn't just a passive act; it's an active way to protect those who are hurting others.

Physical, sexual and emotional abuse will continue if people don't stand up and say something.

It's just a matter of saying "enough is enough." It's just a matter of saying anything, really.

Speak up when you know something is not right in a home.

Don't be afraid, because the negative effects of abuse don't stay within the walls of a house.

Abuse extends into every corner of a community and injects its poison into a student's academic success, a mother's ability to feel empathy for her children, a father's desire to excel at work. It puts a burden on our health-care system, education system and fuels alcohol and drug addictions.

Speaking up may make you feel uncomfortable or put you in an awkward position, but those two feelings are nothing compared to the pain of abuse.

With plane crashes seemingly happening every month and car crashes taking loved ones, its sometimes hard to focus on the good things in life.

This Thanksgiving must have been so hard for many people in the Northwest Territories with the recent tragedies affecting family, friends, co-workers and neighbours.

While many people say they are thankful for family and friends at Thanksgiving, how can this thought carry on through the entire year so that we aren't left regretting and wanting more when people are suddenly taken from us?

This may be a slightly depressing editorial, but it's meant to inspire.

How can we live with thanks all the time, appreciate what we have and let those people responsible for our joy and happiness know that they're making a difference?

Honesty and communication can help in so many situations, by solving problems but also preventing problems. Honesty in not only the failings but in the good spots, too.

It's quite simplistic to think that honesty, trust and communication could prevent such wide-spread problems as domestic violence, but maybe if we all took the time on a regular basis to tell the people we choose to love why we love them the situation wouldn't get so bad.

Thanksgiving is a favourite holiday because it's so unique. It's not tied to any religion but instead to the season of harvest. While the North doesn't really have a harvest, we can still appreciate the sentiment.

So, what we're thankful for here at Inuvik Drum, including family and friends: the opportunity to live in a country with options; the ability to travel; delicious food, though it may be close to expiring or a bit too pricey in Inuvik; making new friends; remembering friends who have a huge impact on those around them, but leave this life too soon; hoping for change; Jetstream pens; the first snowfall; the scent of fireplaces in the streets; roasted garlic hummus; learning new things; taking risks and winning; and the opportunity to meet as many people as possible through a job that is new and different every day.

While it's sometimes hard to see the good things in life when pessimism seems to take over, it's good to pause often and say a little thank you for the things that make your life worth living.

If it's a person, be sure to tell them before it's too late. You never know when something might happen, or how your thank-you will have an impact on their life, too.

The NWT shares a great deal with Albertan communities - an education curriculum, weather service, family ties and, most importantly, a reliance on Edmonton for serious medical emergencies.

Last week, Danielle Smith, leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta, said she would oppose the closure of Edmonton's city centre airport. Losing access to that facility would mean medevac flights would be rerouted to the international airport, which, when including extra distance for ground transportation to the hospital, could add 30 minutes to patients' journeys. That could be the difference between life and death.

Other leaders - municipal, aboriginal, provincial, territorial and federal - must make or keep making their voices heard to Edmonton city council, arguing against the closure.

The city may contend that it needs to prioritize its own health services and finances - it's seeking to cut $50 million from its $2 billion annual operating budget, according to the Edmonton Journal.

However, in providing health services to the North, Edmonton cannot forget it receives extra funding from the federal government due to its capital city status.

Patients in need of urgent medical care not available in the territory rely on Edmonton's hospitals and the quickest possible route to critical health services.

There can be no moral or rational justification for putting lives at risk.

The Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority has propelled its way to better its financial standing over the past year.

At its annual general meeting held earlier this month, it was announced the authority has put a $117,000 dent in its accumulated deficit, previously totaling $367,000. The financial shortcoming now sits at $249,256, with the aim being to balance the books.

Although there is still more work to do, the health body is showing signs of success due to sensible planning and money management. A prime example would be the amalgamation of three medical clinics into the one Yellowknife Primary Care Centre on 48 Street, which opened its doors in June 2010.

The health authority has made some other tough calls in the name of savings, including the decision of suspending Yellowknife's midwifery program in May, which was an unpopular decision with some residents. Despite petitions and protests outside the legislative assembly, Les Harrison, the authority's chief executive officer, stood by the choice, stating the program was unsustainable but will be looked at again in the future.

With a dent in the authority's deficit, some resources can be shifted toward other necessities, such as the management of diabetes and obesity rates, which are among the highest in the country.

Having a stronger handle on the authority's deficit will open the doors to other possibilities to improve the health-care system in the city. This will be done step by step, but so far Yellowknife's health authority seems to be on the right track to a healthier bottom line.

The jerseys were out and all manner of clothing adorned with team logos across the Kivalliq this past week as a new NHL season began.

The excitement belied the fact it was only the start of a marathon NHL schedule for one simple reason: game one featured the Habs going up against the Maple Leafs.

Very few games - playoff, regular season or international - evoke the type of good-natured ribbing seen in the Kivalliq when devoted fans of Montreal and Toronto run into each other on a game day.

That may ring even more true this year, as the vast majority of long-suffering Leafs fans think this is the year their beloved team will finally begin its move back up the standings, inching ever closer to contention for Lord Stanley's mug.

Only time will tell if that's the case, or if it will turn into yet another season of wishful thinking for Leafs fans.

One thing is for sure, with yet another rule modification concerning bodychecking, more physicality will be removed from the game.

At least two NHLers have gone on record during pre-season action to say it's going to reach the point where there will be no contact left in the game, because players will be too afraid of suspensions to actually bodycheck anyone.

Let's hope that's never the case.

I caught a bit of a spiel on Northern radio this past week, although I didn't catch the name of the man being interviewed, that had my hockey blood boiling.

Let's get something straight for guys like him.

Pretty much everyone is in favour of making the game safer to play, but not at the cost of turning it into no-contact shinny.

And, this guy, once again, used the example of Olympic hockey to make his case for how beautiful hockey can be sans fighting and rough play.

There is no comparison or example given by those who want to remove fighting and hard hitting from the game that makes me angrier than when they refer to the Olympics - and they do it time and time again.

They, obviously, believe the majority of hockey fanatics have the collective IQ of those portrayed in the cult classic film, Slap Shot.

Sure Olympic hockey is fun to watch, but it's a mirage that happens when you have the vast majority of the world's best players on six teams for two weeks.

When those who want the rough stuff removed from hockey convince the NHL to contract down to six teams from 30 - and convince the NHLPA those other 552 pro spots are meaningless - then they can bring up Olympic hockey as a fair comparison.

And any contention of removing fighting and rough play from the game will, eventually, lead to 30 teams full of Olympic-calibre players is pure poppycock.

That is, unless you equate Alexandre Daigle-type players dangling around with no fear of physical contact to Olympic-calibre athletes.

It would also be interesting to see how long people would keep paying to watch Olympic-style hockey, if that's all that was being played.

Once every four years it's an exciting spectacle, but, on an ongoing basis, I'll take the Leafs vs. Canadiens every time - at least as long as you're still allowed to knock a puck-carrying Smurf off the biscuit in the NHL.

While many Yellowknife voters couldn't be bothered to get off the couch to exercise their democratic right during the Oct. 3 election, most NWT communities made their voices heard last Monday.

Voter turnout in the capital was an anaemic 34.2 per cent while the rest of the territory seemed more engaged with 60.6 per cent of voters casting a ballot.

Where not a single Yellowknife riding was able to muster more than 40 per cent of the electorate to the polls, only two of the 10 contested community ridings were below 50 per cent. Ridings such as Monfwi and Inuvik Boot Lake had the highest turnout with 86.7 per cent and 83 per cent respectively.

As in past elections, most of the incumbents -- all but one -- were reelected. However, a few of those incumbents shouldn't see their re-election as an endorsement of their past performance but a second chance to prove they can do better.

Thebacha's Michael Miltenberger, who some have called a favourite for the next premier, not only squeaked back into his seat with an eight per cent margin over Peter Martselos, he won with less than 50 per cent of the vote -- only 43 per cent of his riding supported him; more than 77 per cent of Thebacha voters cast a ballot.

In Monfwi, Education Minister Jackson Lafferty edged out Bertha Rabesca Zoe who was hot on his heels all night on Oct. 3. He defeated his challenger by 61 votes - 10 per cent of the constituency - in the most engaged district this election.

Prior to the dropping of the writ this year, the legislative assembly was neck deep in hot-button issues, most of which stirred public dissent.

Devolution and the Wildlife Act were two of the most heated topics of discussion and mostly because the public felt a disconnect from its government.

Many argued public discussion was lacking and the consultation with aboriginal leaders and governments insulting.

Ironically, as much as our MLAs argue the value of consensus government, they seem to fail at trying to work toward agreements beyond the doors of the legislative assembly.

This next assembly has a lot of work ahead of it.

The Wildlife Act must be passed; a devolution deal needs to be forged in consultation with aboriginal governments whose land supplies much of our resource wealth; our regulatory regime must be simplified and long, outstanding board appointments made; and that is on top of the everyday responsibilities of ensuring quality education and health care.

It's time our MLAs learned from the mistakes of the past. If a Wildlife Act can't garner enough support to become law after 10 years of work, something is wrong.

There will be five new faces in the assembly this term and hopefully that will mean fresh ideas and a new way of doing things, a way that includes more respect for the people of the NWT and a willingness to bridge the gap between the GNWT and aboriginal governments.

Our government must stop spinning its wheels and remind itself who it works for and gauge their election report card not just on whether they won, but by their level of support as well.

For most people, bananas and toilet paper aren't exactly the first things that spring to mind when discussing Nunavut's growing business opportunities.

Those commodities were examples, however, provided by Hal Timar, executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, when referring to supplying a future mine in the territory. The 6,000 employees at the Mary River iron ore site are going to need those items and many others. It's an opportunity for Nunavut entrepreneurs to get a piece of the rich pie by positioning themselves to distribute merchandise and services to the booming mining and exploration sector.

There's millions or tens of millions of dollars to be had for those who can capitalize on the needs.

This is the sort of direction that is provided each year through the Nunavut Trade Show and Conference, which was held in Iqaluit Sept. 27 to 29.

It's not just the mining industry that's represented, there are plenty of networking opportunities for artists, traditional food producers, tourism operators and others.

The show is actually struggling with its own success. This year attendance was up 10 per cent from its best previous year, with 400 delegates and 100 exhibitors. It's pretty well as large as Iqaluit can accommodate, according to Timar.

That's just one more challenge to overcome for Nunavut's crafty business minds.

Best known for her heavenly singing, Susan Aglukark used her voice to speak on behalf of students while in Iqaluit Sept. 27.

She advocated a homework program while speaking at a sparsely attended meeting in the capital city that evening. The idea is for volunteers and teachers to gather in a home once each week to give students a safe environment to do their homework. The program is called Kamajiit.

The initiative she is championing never caught the imagination of residents in Cambridge Bay or Rankin Inlet either.

While disheartened, Aglukark, who was raised in Arviat, is not showing signs of giving up on the program.

Persistence and determination can make all the difference in getting it off the ground - that and perhaps a little modification.

Instead of relying on teachers and volunteers - groups that are too few in number and stretched too far already - Aglukark should urge that older students act as mentors for their younger peers. This would give the elder students a sense of accomplishment that could be rewarded with school credits or even a modest honorarium.

It might also encourage a few promising youth to embark on a path to an education career.

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