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What I am about to say is quite shocking, so I want you to hang on to your hats and if you have a weak heart or weak knees, sit down and brace yourself.

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, formerly INAC, had a good idea.

I know, I know. It sounds preposterous and, to some, completely unbelievable, but stranger things have happened, I have been told. I just can't think of any at the moment.

This has nothing to do with the government suddenly, and for no apparent reason, changing the name from INAC, or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Like most people, I have absolutely no idea what that is all about. However, changing the name of a major federal department is bound to cost millions of dollars when all is said and done, and that money could probably be put to better use doing something, dare I say, constructive.

The idea I am going to relate to you is not national but local. Every year, the local INAC department, or now AANDC, does some fundraising for local charities.

This year, someone came up with the idea of doing what they called "a reverse scavenger hunt." They phoned up a number of local charities and asked them for a list of what they needed. The lists were compiled and then sent out to all INAC employees. The employees would read through the lists and then donate what items they could. The items were all collected and then delivered to the appropriate agency.

It sounds simple enough and while I don't know how well it worked in practice, it was certainly a good idea. I am sure a lot of stuff traded hands. Whoever thought up the idea should be congratulated for coming up with it and all the employees or people who donated should be thanked.

This is indeed an idea that the city could learn from because a lot of stuff ends up buried at the dump, that local agencies need and could make use of. Now, before anyone at city hall blows a casket, I know in their garbage news and hand outs, they list agencies that are looking for certain items. I also know that few people read the list and even fewer act on it.

Most people just don't have time to get rid of stuff or the energy or commitment to drive around town to drop off stuff to agencies they aren't familiar with visiting. For the idea to work, the city needs not only the list but some central place for people to drop the stuff off. It could be a bin at city hall. Special bins could be situated beside the recycling drop-offs or bins at the dump beside the infamous red bins or down at the salvage area. Nice, easy places for people to drop the stuff off, with posted lists of what is needed.

Also, at the salvage area before they empty the cell, an employee should walk through and separate out any of the things needed.

Then, they need city staff or volunteers to go through the stuff collected and deliver it to the appropriate agencies. This way, a lot of good stuff that various charities and agencies in town need gets put to use and doesn't get buried in the dump.

It bothers me the disconnect between the good stuff I see going to waste being buried at the dump, and the need for those same items. We have a housing shortage in the North, yet we bury perfectly good construction material at the dump.

Kids need winter coats, yet all summer long you see perfectly good coats being buried at the dump. It is 2011. You would think by now we would have learned to do things better. Let the rallying cry be, if INAC can do it, we can do it, the city can do it and so can the GNWT.

• Walt Humphries is a well-known Yellowknife artist and prospector