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LETTER: Time to build a highway through the heart of Denendeh

Norman Yakeleya,

Tulita/Yellowknife, NT

Dear editor,

The editorial in News/North on July 9th opened with a quote from me back in 2014.

Back then I was of the opinion that to get things right, to do the right job in building a Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley to Inuvik everything might take a few more years. I was told at the time that the feds wanted to fund the highway to Tuk first, to extend the Dempster Highway, then they’d fund the Mackenzie Valley Highway completion.

Years have gone by. The Dempster is now completed. I have spoken with many, many people throughout the Valley in the last few years and I’m convinced that now is indeed the right time to complete the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

The cost of living in fly-in, or winter road access/fly-in, communities continues to rise. Many elders have a hard time making ends meet.

In this country there is a general idea that all people ought to have about the same level of access to basic services. A highway connection is, in this day and age, a basic service. Affordable groceries are a basic service.

I would have told the editor all of this if they contacted me to ask me to comment on my old position. I didn't get that call. So thank you for giving me this opportunity to set things straight.

Mahsi Cho