After years of hard work and two degrees under his belt, Hunter returned to Inuvik this summer to work with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, assisting in legal matters.

Tomorrow, he starts a year-long apprenticeship with Calgary law firm Walsh Wilkins. Once that's completed, and Hunter has successfully passed the dreaded bar exam (even JFK Jr. stumbled a few times on that one) he hopes to return to the IRC.

Even as a kid, Charles "always wanted to be a lawyer," he said. While other kids wore firefighter helmets and blasted no-gooders with their cowboy peacemakers, Charles dreamed of the law of the courts. "Whenever I used to watch TV and see lawyers, I thought about how interesting that life must be."

Hunter saw the writing on the wall as a youth growing up in Inuvik. With land claims settled, and a huge demand for legal consultants, Charles decided early in junior high to pursue a career in law.

Hunter won a partial scholarship at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ont., and took grades 10 through 13 there. "This was a school where everyone goes to university, so it was a great atmosphere to study in," he said.

Moving on, Hunter then earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., graduating in 1994, he then went on to University of Alberta for his laws degree, where he graduated in April.

After completing his year-long apprenticeship, Hunter plans to move back and hopefully work for the IRC. "I still need some experience," however, he said.

Did the now-25-year-old feel pressure to succeed, as the first Inuvialuit to pave that road?

Not so much. "When you're in school, you're always focused on academic stuff ... with a hundred pages to read before the next day, there isn't time."

But Hunter said "it is extremely important (for beneficiaries) to get an education, and start to manage the assets we have for the future, so that we can grow the claim for future generations. There is a strong need for (beneficiaries) with professional degrees."

Hunter sees progress in the town, and its attitudes towards education. There appears to be a "bigger emphasis" on education among people than when he was growing up here, he said.

"There seems to be a significant change in attitude ... I think a corner has been turned. We need to ensure that attitude remains."

Does Hunter see himself as a role model? It's a little early for that, he said, but "if I can be a role model, I'll be glad to help," said Hunter. "I'm eager to demonstrate that people can have the same kind of success."