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BETTY House, an acronym for Better Environment to Transition in Yellowknife, is a women's transitional home, a facility set for development on 54 Street to provide refuge, services and training programs for women and their children. It is a place for those who need a stable shelter, those who are trying to rebuild their lives.

Both the YWCA and the homelessness coalition were wholeheartedly invested in the project with the former scheduled to own and operate the facility while the latter used $935,000 in funding from the federal government to purchase the lots.

However, as of early last month, Lyda Fuller, the YWCA's executive director, sent a letter to the homelessness coalition co-chairs stating that she was done with the coalition because of "lost confidence" that BETTY House will become a reality. In an earlier e-mail to the coalition, Fuller said her "participation and knowledge is not seen as valuable, and that as a person I am not worthy of respect."

When the YWCA throws its hands in the air in exasperation and leaves the table, the perception is that the greater good is forgotten and that personality conflicts are at the forefront.

The $6 million transitional home has been under development for the past two years and has received generous donations from organizations such as BHP Billiton, the Yellowknife Community Foundation and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

A rift in teamwork broadcasts a message of dysfunction - not a signal potential future donors want to see and not reassuring to past donors.

The homelessness coalition and the YWCA are on the front lines together. They see the problems this city faces when it comes to violence, poverty and the need for a helping hand. Fuller states the need for housing is constantly growing and she says close to $3 million more is needed for the transitional home, an amount she is doubtful will be achieved at the current pace.

Fuller, in her role with the YWCA, has aided many people in this city. Her latest move runs counter to that. Hopefully she soon sees that those who would benefit from the transitional home need efforts poured into the push for the remaining funds, not wasted on personal battles.

High-performance athletes like Yellowknife cyclist Denise Ramsden and hockey player Steve Hodges got their start in the North but it is experience gained in other locales that has played a major role in their success.

Ramsden, a 21-year-old cyclist who has won a Canadian championship and was just named to Canada's Summer Olympics team, has more stamps on her passport than many travellers.

Look also at Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association product Steve Hodges, 18, who was drafted by the NHL's Florida Panthers in June. Hodges impressed coach Dan Schofield with his intensity while playing in the NWT. However, key ingredients toward his success came through experience as an underage player representing the NWT at the Arctic Winter Games, then, with his parents' support, a move to further his hockey career in British Columbia, where he shone with the Western Hockey League's Victoria Royals.

It was their quest for greater competition outside of the North that helped them to reach an elite level.

That's why it is puzzling that players on the NWT's female 17-and-under soccer team have been denied the opportunity to show their stuff at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que., next month, although the boys team is going.

NWT Soccer Association president Ryan Fequet cites a move toward matching player development programs with the Canadian Soccer Association and making improvements so the girls can play at a more competitive level.

However, several players believe they have the stuff needed to impress scouts in Sherbrooke and feel their dreams of becoming varsity players after graduating high school are being thwarted by an uninformed decision.

Taking on higher-calibre athletes, even if the results are lopsided, is essential for Yellowknife athletes to find success and to set the stage for levels of competition at a university or collegiate level.

Would Ramsden or Hodges have achieved their success had they been restricted to local competition?

Whenever possible, Yellowknife athletes should be given the opportunity to strive for success by travelling to compete.

Chicken Little took another slap in the beak this past month with the Government of Nunavut (GN) announcing the polar bear population in the Foxe Basin appears to be doing quite well.

The GN used two aerial surveys during the past two years to put the number of bears at more than 2,500.

That number has remained fairly consistent during the past two decades and, coupled with survey data, gives rise to the fact there is still no evidence climate change is having any adverse effect on the Foxe Basin bear population.

The results come as good news to the Kivalliq, especially the communities of Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour.

The survey also shows science still has a ways to go before it starts taking Inuit traditional knowledge to heart.

Inuit hunters have been saying for years the Foxe Basin population is healthy, and, if anything, growing.

But, as we saw with the United States and its rush to ban the worldwide trade on polar bear products under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 2010, too many in power bend to political pressure and lobby groups.

When the U.S. sought the ban under CITES -- which attempts to ensure international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival -- one of its chief contentions was the bear trade is detrimental to the bear population.

And right behind that, the U.S. got into the business of predicting the future by concluding less ice due to climate change equals less polar bears in the future.

No one bothered to listen, let alone care, about what the people exposed to the population the most had to say.

That's not to suggest you should always take the word of a hunter as gospel, especially when you're talking about any species people can make big money by killing.

The often aggressive debate over how many caribou still exist on Southampton Island is absolute proof of that.

But the voices of those who truly do believe in sustainable management and have a lifetime of experience behind their words must be heard.

Led by the work of personalities such as wildlife biologist Mitch Campbell of Arviat, Nunavut is bridging the gap between traditional and modern science.

And it's a functional and co-operative marriage Nunavut desperately needs with so many Inuit and non-Inuit Nunavummiut dependant on wildlife resources for their very way of life.

It will be interesting to see what direction is taken by stakeholders such as Hunters and Trappers Organizations, the Department of the Environment and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. after digesting the survey results and discussing its ramifications.

The magic number remains at 106 right now, which is the annual quota for Foxe Basin communities.

But, in the meantime, the results are in and the survey says the population is still doing quite well, thank you very much.

That puts a smile on many faces in Nunavut and, contrary to what some in the business of climate change would have you believe, the sky is not falling.

At least not where the Foxe Basin polar bear population is concerned.

When it comes to the number of people who can speak their traditional language, the Tlicho are far above other aboriginal groups in the NWT.

Now, the Tlicho Government is taking steps to keep it that way and to strengthen the language even more; recognizing that despite its relative strength, it too has experienced a decline over the past decade.

Late last month, the Tlicho Government announced plans to introduce a Tlicho immersion program for kindergarten students with hopes to gradually begin similar instruction at the elementary level.

The idea was met with some resistance from parents who feared there would no longer be the option to enrol their children in English kindergarten, or wondered whether learning resources are adequate to provide quality instruction.

John B. Zoe, a former executive director and one-time senior adviser to the Tlicho Government, said instruction in the Tlicho language is not new and plenty of written resources exist, especially early-literacy material.

Children's books such as The Old Man with the Otter Medicine and The Legend of the Caribou Boy, published by Theytus Books and written by the late George Blondin are among the volumes that Zoe describes as "Dick and Jane" type readers.

The Legend of the Caribou Boy also includes a four-page orthography and pronunciation guide for Tlicho words.

Zoe acknowledged more advanced material will have to be developed as the immersion program evolves, but added nothing happens overnight.

Language is a major component of culture and self-identity and the Tlicho will only benefit from strengthening their mother tongue. As long as the option to choose language of instruction exists and more advanced resource material is developed to ensure quality instruction across academic subjects, the immersion idea should be supported. In the end, such a move will only strengthen Tlicho students' engagement in education and help develop future leaders with a solid connection to their culture and people.

Besides, at the end of the day, nobody has ever complained about knowing too many languages.

Health Minister Tom Beaulieu recently told News/North he is open to the possibility of signing bonuses to help attract nurses to the NWT.

Although that doesn't guarantee bonus packages will be included in the next collective agreement, it's a 180-degree shift in thinking for the Department of Health, which eliminated bonuses nearly a decade ago.

Since then, a territorial-based nursing program has been used to help fill the nursing gap. Ten years later the territory still struggles to fill nursing vacancies and reasons, in part, are the high demand for nurses, the fact other jurisdictions pay retention bonuses, and many health professionals are reluctant to commit full time to some of the territory's more remote nursing stations.

Ten years ago the health minister of the day called bonuses inequitable and inefficient. We expect Beaulieu is fully aware that the communities are inequitable in nature when comparing working conditions to other jurisdictions in Canada or even Yellowknife.

Though there are nurses similar to Aklavik's Rachel Munday, who love the opportunities that exist in her field while working in remote Northern communities, many will need a sweeter pot before committing to a place that has substantially fewer amenities than they might be accustomed to.

We encourage Beaulieu to work with the necessary departments to bring back bonuses for NWT nurses. In the long run, it might actually save the NWT money as less will be spent on travel and housing for casual nurses. If the bonuses are also attached to a time commitment of one or two years, the GNWT will also save the dollars associated with frequent turnover.

Giving credit where credit is due, one of Nunavut's most promising homegrown industries has received a substantial boost from the federal government.

An announcement earlier this month that the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency would invest $424,744 over two years in Niqitaq Fisheries Ltd. - allowing the Inuit-owned business to buy out a 49-per-cent interest held by a minority shareholder in St. John's - is helping build momentum in an industry that's just starting to get on its feet.

As a whole, CanNor states Nunavut's fisheries contribute $12 million to $14 million to the territorial economy each year and provide more than 300 seasonal jobs. Last year, Nunavut's most lucrative catch - turbot - was harvested to a total worth of between $60 and $65 million. To illustrate how much of that goes to the Nunavummiut working boats, the Department of Environment pegged the money taken home last year by Pangnirtung fishers alone was a total of $700,000.

Niqitaq, a Baffin Fisheries Coalition subsidiary, is made up of five Baffin Island hunters and trappers' organizations and three private organizations, including Pangnirtung Fisheries Ltd. It currently owns one fishing vessel, but with this federal money it will fully own one more, out of the fleet of three it operates to fish for turbot and shrimp.

The company is now fully Inuit-owned, participating in an industry that could one day be fully Inuit-driven. The turbot quota is still not fully met each year, but it's gradually getting closer. There are still battles to be fought in getting an even higher share of the island's offshore shrimp and turbot quotas, and in putting harbours in more communities, but those battles will be made easier as the industry grows more formidable.

Hopefully this investment is a sign of things to come from CanNor.

Looking at the price tag of property damage caused by fire in 2011 - much of it intentionally set - it's hard not to cringe.

Ask many Nunavummiut about the main struggles the territory is facing, and, among others, housing and infrastructure will emerge as big issues. It's difficult and expensive getting supplies here to build, and much of the existing housing is old and inadequate. It's all we have, and some people are taking a torch to it.

More than half of the $53.6 million in total losses were either human-started or relating to vehicle accidents, and the top causes of fire was misuse of fire-starting devices. Youth were largely the culprits.

Education is the key to putting a halt to this. The consequences of not learning how destructive fire can be will be millions more dollars lost, and possibly lives as well.

Lemonade stands are a staple of juvenile entrepreneurship in the summer months, instilling a sense of hard work, organization and business sense.

But for youth living at the Inukshuk Housing Co-operative, lemonade stands are no longer allowed.

Earlier this month, eight-year-old Taylor Sorenson received unwelcome news through a co-op newsletter to all residents expressing that "there is to be no lemonade stands."

Sorenson was selling the thirst-quenching drink to passersby in the neighbourhood, raking in at least $60 a day while saving for a toy she desired.

The reasons behind the sweeping decree that shut her down include a mess of Styrofoam cups allegedly left behind and a perception of a possible safety hazard when children are left unattended. The cluster of residences in question is situated at the corner of Range Lake Road and Williams Avenue, with clearly-marked, one-way traffic signs directing traffic through the small neighbourhood at 15 km/h.

There are also multiple signs indicating children are playing in the area, as one would expect children to do.

Therefore drivers must proceed with extreme caution.

Although it's important to keep a child's well-being as the primary concern, going so far as to call social services or the RCMP if a child is left unsupervised while playing - the co-op's newsletter encourages alerting the authorities - is overbearing and an unnecessary drain on resources.

Banning lemonade stands is not a way to ensure the safety of the children, but an overblown reaction to some litter.

Instead of putting the lid on lemonade through a letter, the co-op should have gone straight to the source, the parent of the child and communicated its concerns over the stand. The co-op could have taken it one step further and given a "three strikes, you're out" warning notice to those selling lemonade, stating acceptable terms and conditions.

Instead, youth are getting a glimpse of how grown-up politics can be unfair with blanket policies that stifle young entrepreneurship.

If dog owners want an attractive off-leash dog park free of SUVs and other hazards they're going to have to make it happen themselves.

That's the reality facing dog owners right now. Yellowknife does have one off-leash dog park maintained by the city but it's far from satisfactory. Tucked behind the Yellowknife Curling Club it is out of view and has a tired, dingy feel even though it opened only eight years ago.

More important than the woeful look, the town's vet has warned people their pets are at higher risk from contracting communicable illnesses at the park, at least seasonally. City staff periodically drop by to remove dog feces but not much other effort is put into the small area's upkeep.

The other off-leash areas in the city meanwhile, Tin Can Hill, Fiddler's Lagoon Road and the Sand Pits, support recreational uses such as dirt-biking and snowmobiling, which can conflict with loose dogs.

Dog owners in this city - there are 1,355 who are licenced - present a significant body of strength in political power and basis of support for fundraising efforts. In many communities across Canada interested dog owners have formed community groups with a goal of providing facilities and parks to walk their pets.

NWT SPCA president Nicole Spencer proposes an off-leash area near where the SPCA is building an animal shelter on Deh Cho Boulevard.

With a little bit of fundraising and volunteer efforts - maybe even some hired help from time to time- the park can be beautified, maintained and kept free of litter.

Maintaining the status quo promises only continued conflicts between dog owners and other residents out to have fun of their own.

Aboriginal Day has come and gone from the Deh Cho for another year.

In communities across the region, the holiday was recognized in a variety of ways that celebrated what it means to be aboriginal, while drawing on traditional practices. In Fort Simpson, the more traditional events included a fire feeding ceremony, a canoe race, a moosehair tufting workshop and a drum dance.

In Fort Providence, traditional events were scheduled to include competitions such as dry fish making, handgames, demonstrations of traditional arts and a drum dance. Similar events took place in other Deh Cho communities as well.

For those who participated in the activities, Aboriginal Day clearly becomes a way to celebrate their cultural heritage, have fun and enjoy spending time with friends, family and community members. For non-aboriginal Deh Cho residents, June 21 is a way to show appreciation for the culture they are surrounded by and to learn more about it.

Aboriginal Day for most people is a feel good sort of holiday on one of the longest days of the year. There is nothing wrong with this use of Aboriginal Day, but it could also be used to keep the flip side of the coin in mind.

While celebrating the traditional past and present achievements, June 21 should also be used to strengthen people for what is still to come. Having a national level holiday dedicated to them, of course, does not mean the struggles of aboriginal people are over.

Many of the topics that are bound to be raised at this week's Dehcho First Nations' annual assembly highlight that point.

Through the Dehcho Process and the Dehcho Land Use Plan the Dehcho First Nations and, therefore, the people of the Deh Cho are still struggling to show Canada that they have never relinquished control of the land and should be allowed to manage it and the people who live here.

Housing and education are also popular topics at the assembly. There is still a ways to come to ensure that aboriginal people have access to the same quality of housing and have the same degree of success in education as other citizens of Canada.

Aboriginal Day is a great way to celebrate what it was and is to be aboriginal, but the festivities shouldn't mask the realities and struggles that still exist.

All of the positive energy that is fostered during June 21 should also be channelled towards making sure there is even more reason to celebrate a year from now.

Inuvik students have been set free.

This year, the end of class heralds more than school letting out for summer; it means that neither Sir Alexander Mackenzie School nor Samuel Hearne Secondary School will ever again host students.

Both buildings are scheduled to be torn down this summer to make way for the new super school, which has been named East Three.

Current students seem to have embraced the change, quickly adopting the new "gang sign" for East Three (three fingers on the right hand held forward to form an E and three fingers held straight up with the left hand). They look forward to the colourful lockers, larger gym and other shiny, new things offered by the old school and for the most part don't mourn the loss of their old schools.

Among the older generations, feelings seem more mixed.

Some see the loss of these buildings as a shame, especially when it comes to the elementary school. SAMS is one of the most aesthetically beautiful buildings left in Inuvik. Yes, it is aging and has somewhat fallen into disrepair, but does it really need to be torn down?

There are also many in the Arctic for whom the building signifies residential school and all of the painful memories associated with that program. The school's closing celebrations in Inuvik June 15 and 16 were primarily a celebration of the good times had in the schools, but also had a note of the other memories formed within those walls.

"I think this is where we came to do our final healing," said a woman who travelled from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, just to attend the closing ceremonies.

SAMS was once split down the middle – and along with it most of the community – between the Anglican side and the Catholic side. Nuns patrolled the halls to ensure no students dare enter the wrong wings, and students of different religions stayed in separate residences. Grollier Hall served as the Roman Catholic student hostel, while Stringer Hall housed Anglican students.

As a residential school student, there were no options beyond being Anglican or Catholic – this was long before the days of acceptance of and respect for traditional beliefs in such Northern institutions.

There is no more need for the building as a schoolhouse. However, the loss of yet another heritage building in the community should be carefully considered – or at least openly discussed – before the final bell rings.

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