Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Jul 03/98) - Inuvik joined other Northern communities by playing host to 20 heads of diplomatic missions on a Northern orientation tour June 19.

The group arrived after spending part of the day in Cambridge Bay. After staying the night in Inuvik and catching some of the Midnight Madness celebrations, the group left June 20 in the morning.

During their brief tour, the group was given the chance to see the SAMS dancers and eat Northern foods.

They also heard speeches from Inuvialuit Regional Corporation chair Nellie Cournoyea, Ethel Blake of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, MLA Floyd Roland and Mayor George Roach.

"It's important they see the right people and hear from the right people because this is a Northern orientation tour," said IRC chief operating officer Roger Connelly.

"It's to assist the heads of the diplomatic missions in Canada from other countries of the world to gain a better understanding of Canada and its peoples and its geography. So you try to make sure that people they meet are able to brief them."

The 20-member group included ambassadors from Britain, France, Israel, Ireland, Uganda, Argentina, Egypt, Rwanda, Vietnam, Sweden, Finland, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tunisia, Benin, Korea, Equador, the organization of Eastern Caribbean States and Togo.