Inside the NWT Spaceship

From outside, at a distance, the territorial legislature building does look like an alien spaceship that has landed on the rocks at the far end of Frame Lake. (See Bronwyn's earlier reference and photo.) Inside, though, it's a spectacular building where functionality and aesthetics share the stage. The acoustics are amazing in this round building, that reflects the cultural traditions of the northern people and their consensus government. There are no parties here--candidates run independently in the 19 ridings. And, although Yellowknife, has about half of the population, it only has five seats so that the 32 other communities won't be dominated by this one city.

Here, our tour guide on Sunday afternoon shows off the main chamber, with its zinc wall at the back and polar bear rug just behind her. The building is filled with beautiful sculptures and paintings, including several A.Y. Jackson's of the north that were found in someone's basement. When the Legislative Building first opened in 1993, all provinces and the Yukon gave gifts. This hand-hooked hanging of the NWT coat of arms came from Nova Scotia and hangs in the caucus room upstairs, where the in camera meetings are held. It was the first gift the territory received.

The new mace is a work of art too. A 1.3 carat northern diamond sits at the top and within the shaft there are 33 tiny pebbles collected from the communities, which create a sound similar to a rainstick. I'm thinking of attending the opening of the next session of the Legislature on Wednesday just to hear what it sounds like. It will be the last session before the election coming up on October 1st.

It wasn't until the fall, right after I left in 1979, that the NWT members selected their own premier. Up until then, a federally appointed commissioner was the top guy. And the meetings were held in a room in the YK Inn on the main street, which has now been built up as a mall.