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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The 19 members-elect looked happy and relaxed in the chambers of the legislative assembly Monday.

There were no heated discussions, no premiership or cabinet races to worry about - not yet, anyway. The more stressful aspects of leadership will soon present themselves, but for Monday, there was the singing of O Canada, the signing of the oath of allegiance and the oath of office and lots of handshakes, hugs and pats on the back. When all was said and done, the 19 had officially become members of the 17th legislative assembly of the NWT.

Commissioner George Tuccaro presided over the swearing-in ceremony, leading the group in the recitation of the oaths before bearing witness to the signings of oaths.

Then the MLAs, dressed in their Monday finest - some formal, some traditional - posed for an official group portrait. It was possibly the happiest all 19 members will look in that room simultaneously; some even documented the event with their own cameras.

As with all proper celebrations, there was food. The MLAs and their family and friends ate, drank and mingled in the Great Hall at the public reception that followed. The merriment led to a seemingly spontaneous outburst of chanting and the formation of a tea-dance circle, which expanded to fill the hall.

It was "a very exciting day" for Daryl Dolynny, the only new MLA from Yellowknife (Range Lake). Dolynny was accompanied by his wife, son, father-in-law and good friends.

"It's a long journey," he said. "This is something that's planned years ago and the elections are always a hard battle ... It was a team win and today's a team celebration."

New MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, Alfred Moses, was thrilled his parents made the journey to Yellowknife to witness his swearing-in.

Moses, who said he has done extensive work at the grassroots level in Inuvik, was adamant about retaining his focus through the next four years.

"I've worked with all the people in Inuvik and I told anybody, if I ever start changing in a way that doesn't bring the voices to the table here, to sit me down and let me know why I ran for this position."

Though campaigning is over, veteran MLAs Jackson Lafferty, Bob Bromley and Bob McLeod also said they would continue to reach out to their constituents to ensure their concerns are being addressed, and encouraged their respective electorates to contact them with any issues.

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