by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 08/97) - If you're looking for a fun, educational and air-conditioned way to spend one of the remaining days of summer, look no further than the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

Whether you're single or married, with kids or no kids, resident or visitor, there's something for everyone.

"I liked the polar bear because he's soft," said Heather Goldsmith, 5. Goldsmith was at the museum Wednesday with her mother and two brothers. The Goldsmith family has lived in Yellowknife for 17 years, but still manages to find something new at every visit.

"When you turn around the corner, there used to be black bears, now it's a gift shop," said Jake Goldsmith, 10. The youngest of the family, three-year-old Cameron, said he liked the tent the best of all.

The tent, of course, is located in the discovery room, which, among other things, holds puppets, dress-up clothes, a small log cabin and a genuine canvas tent, just like the prospectors used to use.

Giorgia Moraw, originally from Italy but visiting from Vancouver, dropped into museum during a day-long stop-over in the capital city.

"What I like is the wildlife part -- you don't get to see the wildlife unless you're actually out hunting or something," said Moraw.

Another hit with the Vancouverite was the film on how to build a canoe. "After watching the film I would like to go on a trip up the Coppermine River," said Moraw.

The heritage centre, opened in 1979 by Prince Charles, cost $6 million to build.

It boasts displays on Dene and Inuit culture, Northern geology, exploration, the fur trade, missionaries, the Metis, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, mining, whaling, natural history and aviation.

There are also several smaller, travelling or temporary exhibits.

Chuck Arnold, director at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, said museum staff are currently now engaged in a "fairly ambitious" three-year overhaul of both main galleries.

In particular, the south gallery will be undergoing plenty of changes.

Plans are to consult aboriginal groups to fairly and accurately illustrate aboriginal culture.