Antoine Mountain
Guest columnist
Monday, March 03, 2008

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I would like to say a word or two here in favour of the GNWT's recent show of good faith in the works for the community of Ulukhaktok.

I was very pleased to see our present government continue in its recognition that our arts community in the North is one which does need backing, financial and otherwise.

Today, when so many of our former money-making ventures are up in the air, for whatever reason, we do need to look at different ways to get by.

I do know there are many very talented people in the North for our rather small population and the quality of the art we see is far superior to those being produced elsewhere, especially with our crafts. And a lot of it, like the handmade wearable works, moccasins and other items of clothing, is a dying art.

It used to be you could buy things like caribou hide from just about any lady, but these days it is almost impossible to find it tanned properly.

I do know, too, that Minister Bob McLeod's Industry, Tourism and Investment Department has been committed for some time now to holding traditional workshops, like moose-tanning, which will go a long way to help preserve that and other art forms.

From painting right on site at one of the art galleries for many years, I do know most of the people who come into town for a conference, or something, are also looking forward to bringing back an authentic hand-made craft from the NWT, rather than the cheap knock-offs you see at the airport.

The government in this case is really showing its support in a substantial way, with $500,000 out of its NWT Business Development and Investment Corp., for the community of Ulukhaktok.

As a professional artist, I also believe this is the only way to do it, with the community going through the official process of setting up its own artists' association and then going after the money to realize their dreams.

I am hoping to promote the arts of the Sahtu for the summers and will look forward to any of this additional assistance from the government.

- Antoine Mountain is a Dene artist and writer originally from Radilih Koe'/Fort Good Hope. He can be reached at www.amountainarts.com