Into the North

              Adam's garden at Inuvik, latitude 68 degrees, with its neat rows of potatoes, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, onions and rhubarb. All of these found their way to the dining room at Grollier Hall. This garden is grown with the permafrost not far below. The seedlings are started indoors and when transplanted in early June they are protected with a plastic covering. Here potatoes are placed on top of the ground and then covered over with soil brought in from the river bank. The development of hardy, early-maturing plants, and long hours of sunshine, combine to make maturity possible before the frost comes in August. Other fine gardens may be seen at Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Providence, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Aklavik, Paradise, and other places. The area to the south of Great Slave Lake, I was told, has agriculture potential. Cattle were once raised at Fort Simpson but now meat and milk are flown in and powdered and condensed milk are used extensively. Another resource of the future could well be water in this North American continent, with the south crying out for water and whole North dotted with lakes and rivers. It is, indeed, not surprising to learn that tourists in increasing numbers are making their way to our Northland, where they can find solitude and nature unspoiled. Now, what of the main resource of any country The - the PEOPLE? natives, the Indians and Eskimos, have lived in this area for thousands of years. The generally accepted theory is that they migrated across the Bering Strait. Today, there are approximately 6,076 Indians and 9,382 Eskimos in the Northwest Territories. The Federal Government, through the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development looks after the welfare of the natives but more and more control is being handed to the Territorial Councils, which are comprised of elected and appointed representatives and a Commissioner in each Territory. In the large settlements are located advanced educational schools, with hostels. Fine modern schools, with programs up to Grade VI, are also found in the smaller settlements. In addition, the Government stands ready to assist those who wish to further education outside. Consequently, the young people from the North are graduating from universities, nursing schools, business, and communication courses. The latest news is that the establishment of an University, similar to the one at Fairbanks, Alaska, to serve the needs of the Territories is being considered. Of interest to the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada are the programs of Adult Education from Basic Elementary through to Secondary School classes, along with enrichment classes. Many residents who live in our Canadian North still depend largely on hunting, trapping and fishing for their livelihood. Fluctuation in fur prices, and changing fashions create a hardship for the people who are engaged in this vital industry. Food shortages, which have resulted from the decrease in wild life, are also a concern. During the past six years the Eskimos and Indians have been assisted in setting up co-operatives to help themselves. There are now more than 30 in the Arctic (1968 figures), including housing co-ops, char fishing, logging, Eskimo stone carving and prints, fur garment manufacturing and handicrafts. These are very important to the economy, which in addition, provide social and business experience to assist them in their transition period. The development of the resources, the extension of communications, the involvement of the natives, and improved housing for aU in the North will be among the great achievements of Canada's second century. 8