Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Let's hear a cheer for the population of Denendeh for keeping things in perspective.

Denendeh is the heartland of the Dene Nation in what is now known as The North-West Territories. Anyways, in 1999, with the coming into being of Nunavut, the Eastern Arctic Inuit homeland/territory/province, "The North-West Territories will officially disappear off the maps. A dillema for bureaucrats: "What's the 'Official' name for what's left of the NWT after Nunavut?!"

To the majority of the population in the area concerned it's Denendeh (Home/Land of The People). It's been Denendeh for hundreds of thousands of years, since this present world began.

But it's probably, "... just too Aboriginal..., not Canadian enough..." for the Guiding Lights of the immigrant-governments. So the present territorial government decided to put some taxpayer dollars to use to hold a Referendum. Everybody in the territory would get to vote for any of a half-dozen of the bureaucrats' choices or write in their own choice. The immigrant-government thought they'd latched onto a real winner of an issue. Much safer than dealing with skyrocketing TB infections and the 5000+ families packed in houses with 2 or 3 other families because there's no housing available at all. Heck, they even had songs written about the naming and banners were bought and posters of such magnicent splendour were printed that the printers wept in joy all the way to the bank. The politicians were so busy attending "Heritage Galas" and slapping each other on the back for this great idea that several had to apply for Workers' Comp for sore backs and chronic indigestion.

But there was a party-pooper lurking in the wings. The folks at biggest radio station (as well as The Sane Majority, 99.999% of the folks up there that don't have that twisted gene that causes terminal politics) thought this whole referendum thing was just a stupid, stupendous waste of time, energy and money. So they urged voters in the Official Referendum to write in a cetain name, "... a simple name that really symbolized 'The True North Strong and Free!!'... " and By Golly! the people came through!!!

Over seventy-seven percent (77%) of the voters expressed their solemn belief that the new territory should be called... "BOB" ... !!!

Her Majesty's Government of The North-West Territories is not amused. They have declared the results of the referendum null and void, and the new official name will be chosen by government-appointed committee.

(One Member of Her Majesty's Government was overheard saying, "So there! It's our sandbox and we can play what we want." JW)