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Are you watching the big picture of the world lately? Big headlines. First it was climate change. Now it's the world food crisis. Blame the high cost of oil and gas and the new craze for biofuels that come from food products. The feds threw $2.2 billion in support for these, making farmers very happy.

The world is going to need more and more farmland to produce ethanol, and who has more land to spare? The NWT. Plus our 24-hour sunlight. The world will be looking our way. Something to think about, eh? And better stock up on rice. There is a global shortage already.

Now, let's see what's happening in the aboriginal world. One of the respected aboriginal leaders predicted last fall that he gives the aboriginals, maybe, two more years of grace before Canada and its people finally wake up to the fact that the world of aboriginals hasn't improved in 400 years. It only seems to be getting more depressing. Time for change. Get rid of reserves? Divide the land among them to do as they please? There are many who left the reserves and live in cities, doing well. They work, pay taxes etc.

Canadians watch their tax dollars and are aware of the billions spent on aboriginals every year. Then there is the residential school business of billions in compensation paid out. This didn't seem to improve their lives.

And now, another door was just opened up by the honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, exploring the legacy of abuse in residential schools. This is at a cost of $60 million, announced a couple of days ago. I don't think the Canadian people are going to put up with another drawn-out court battle that will go on for years and cost more millions. I wouldn't be surprised if the Canadians throw out the Conservative government on this Indian issue. Especially now, that they are getting militant; blockading, disrupting and barricading highways.

And now, Phil Fontaine warns of protest during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics? He is comparing the First Nations to Tibetans?! The Olympics are a world affair. Countries love and are proud of their athletes. Fontaine had better think. He could lose complete respect. Plus, protection is a way of life for some people. I'm sure they go from country to country. A big thrill.

By the way, there is a trade mission coming up in May or June. It is initiated by GNWT's Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI). ITI's destinations? High Level, Grande Prairie, Peace River, and maybe McMurray? I remember a few years ago the NWT Chamber of Commerce met in Grande Prairie, Alta., with the chambers of B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. They did the same, trying to drum up business from the south into the NWT. The southern chambers of commerce said to them: "we would love to come into the NWT to do business with you but you have no highways!" So, I think ITI had better plan more, concentrate and check out the whole territory first.

There is a world beyond Yellowknife and Hay River. They must look all the way north to the Arctic ocean. Number one on their agenda should be to work with the MAC group to help them plan and how to begin the extension of the highway to the Arctic Ocean, and the business of sovereignty.

There were mock Arctic Ocean talks reported on Feb. 20 by UBC., including Paul Cellucci, former U.S. ambassador to Canada, and Pierre Leblanc, former commander of Canadian military in Yellowknife, among the participants. Strong arguments were made on both sides.

Harper should make Leblanc head of Arctic sovereignty. We are going to have a rude awakening if we don't move on it soon. Even China is eyeing Arctic resources! Experts say China has more substantial and rigorous scientific programs for polar region research than Canada does! Crazy, eh?

- Cece Hodgson-McCauley is the founding chief of the Inuvik Dene band and will remain honourary chief for life. She can be reached at fax (867) 587-3003 or by phone (867) 587-3037.