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Hay River Town Council should endorse a proposed bylaw governing the use of all-terrain vehicles within town limits.

These are powerful and potentially dangerous machines.

The NWT's latest health indicators report published in 2010 places injuries - which include ATV and snowmobile use - as the third leading cause of death in the NWT. Although the latest report does not break down injuries by type, the department's previous report listed ATV and snowmobile use as accounting for 85 per cent of that bracket.

Between 2005 and 2009, according to the Department of Transportation's annual road safety reports, there have been 98 injuries as a result of off-road vehicles and three deaths in the NWT.

A case in Fort Smith back in 2008 was perhaps the most sensational incident to occur in the South Slave in recent history. A 17-year-old girl escaped with her life after suffering serious head trauma following a snowmobile accident. She spent months in hospital recovering.

Although the GNWT does have legislation governing the use of ATVs territory-wide, some communities have recognized the need for municipal bylaws to help further control infractions and prevent injury and death.

Fort Smith enacted its ATV bylaw back in 2003 and Yellowknife developed its own in 1986, two years prior to the GNWT enacting the All-Terrain Vehicles Act.

Those short-sighted few would argue that bylaws have failed to prevent injuries such as the one in Fort Smith, but it is impossible to quantify how many accidents our laws do prevent.

Hay River Coun. Bernie Langille owes law enforcement personnel across the territory an apology for telling Hay River's bylaw officer, "Anybody who knows how to ride isn't going to stop (for law enforcement officials)," and, "It's practically a matter of honour that you've outrun a police officer on a quad."

The comments were made at a council meeting in response to a proposal for a bylaw regulating ATV use in Hay River.

For Langille to completely shoot down the bylaw officer's proposal for an ATV bylaw demonstrates a lack of awareness to the dangers these vehicles pose when not properly controlled.

Every year this newspaper reports a number of serious ATV or snowmobile injuries and/or deaths.

By Langille's reasoning, we should do away with all road safety laws and allow drivers of all sorts of vehicles to run amok on our streets and highways.

Langille seems to not understand that laws can be instructive for law-abiding citizens - letting them know what speeds and manoeuvres are acceptable in town - and also to establish penalties for reckless behaviour.

Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications with the GNWT Department of Transportation, stated in an e-mail that the department supports "any regulation and enforcement that will make more likely the safe use of snowmobiles and ATVs and the prevention of injuries and fatalities."

Hay River's Shaun Demarcke, who is with the Hay River Snowmobile Association, told News/North he is in support of an ATV bylaw, arguing that snowmobiles and quads have no place in downtown Hay River. Demarcke also disagreed with Langille's characterization of ATVers' questionable honour.

Hay River council should seriously consider passing its own ATV bylaw, which would add to and strengthen current NWT legislation. Even one life saved or serious injury prevented is worth challenging the questionable code of honour Langille seems to believe ATV users hold.

The territory needs more employment and residents need training for jobs.

The Piqqusilirivvik Inuit Cultural Learning Facility in Clyde River could bring its students jobs but low interest in the program proves the government hasn't emphasized that enough.

The school's programming centres on, and branches out from, Inuit language, culture and lifestyle. While this stream of curriculum doesn't feed directly into any one industry, many industries currently in the North, and those looking to move in, have the desire and need to tap into this knowledge.

Mining corporations, among other resource industries, could use cultural advisers to help them cross regulatory hurdles.

Openings in government departments, such as Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, would be a natural fit for graduates from Piqqusilirivvik.

As well, teaching opportunities would open up for those holding a degree from this cultural institute.

Only seven potential students had expressed interest in Piqqusilirivvik as of Oct. 5, and six of those are from Clyde River. Facility director Johnathan Palluq told Nunavut News/North the facility has room for one student from each of Nunavut's 25 communities. The government must let Nunavummiut know this program is well worth relocating to Clyde River.

The value of the program is inherent - preserving culture and language that are being pushed to the sidelines by westernized culture and business practices - but there are a variety of livelihoods to be gained from studying there.

The most recent Statistics Canada data has Nunavut's employment pegged at 57 per cent.

Every job opportunity should be promoted as should every cultural opportunity.

How often did you hear someone speak of the Anik F2 satellite prior to Oct. 6?

On that day, we found out just how reliant we are on technology; flights were grounded, phones did not work, the Internet was inaccessible, payments couldn't be made through credit cards and automatic teller machines wouldn't dispense cash.

It was a headache for many and, fortunately, not a disaster for anyone. However, it was short-lived, plaguing us for a little more than a day due to a technical glitch that could be fixed from here on Earth.

It's a reminder that knowing how to navigate on the land without a GPS unit is extremely useful. However, we live in a time when technology dominates most of our lives, increasingly every year.

With that in mind, there's a need for community and business leaders to be prepared for lengthy outages that may occur in the future.

The RCMP used a radio station to get messages out.

It was a practical adjustment, the likes of which other decision-makers need to consider so we don't have mass confusion when something in orbit goes out of order.

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.

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