Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 20/99) - Not many average couples can claim to have had their lives featured in newspapers on two different continents.

But, then again, when you consider how many Inuit walk around speaking with a "Kiwi" accent, there is nothing average about the husband and wife tandem of Chris and Arsene Sik Sik.

Chris, from Auckland, New Zealand, and Arsene, a Keewatin Inuit from Rankin Inlet, first met in 1969 when Chris was working as a midwife at Rankin's nursing station. The two have just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary (Jan. 10), a marriage steeped with as much uniqueness as happiness.

The couple and their three children, Alex, Paul and Stuart, have called New Zealand home for most of their marriage, but their travels back and forth between the Keewatin make for an interesting tale.

Although Arsene had travelled within Canada before, reaching as far as Newfoundland, when the couple first headed to New Zealand -- after being wed -- he had some adjusting to do.

"That was my first time really out of the North to live and it was hot," said Arsene with a laugh. "It took me two years to get used to that heat."

Arsene's recollections produce instant laughter out of Chris, who quickly recants tales of her husband's attempts to beat the heat.

"He'd be wearing T-shirts in the winter," she says, now barely containing the laughter.

"He couldn't believe it was Christmas and there'd be no snow. I'll say it took him awhile to adjust."

As trying as it was for Arsene to adjust to New Zealand, he was readily accepted by the "Kiwis," who had some rather interesting perceptions of Canada's North.

"Right off, the No. 1 question was whether we all still lived in igloos," says Arsene.

"They're pretty amazed by our food and our hunting, but, another thing, they always ask if this place is in Alaska."

Arsene's response again produces fits of laughter from Kris, who quickly adds to the Alaskan spin.

"It's strange, you know, you'd correct them and tell them it's not in Alaska, it's in Canada and they'd say oh yeah, right.' Then, the next thing you know, they'd be telling their friends to come over and meet us, they're from Alaska you know.'"

The Sik Siks had lived in Auckland since 1983, until Chris accepted a two-year contract at Rankin's nursing station and they returned with son Stuart this past August. Although there have been many changes to Rankin during their absence, some things have stayed the same.

"It's taken me a while to adjust to the cold here now, like the heat was in New Zealand. But, the first thing is, once people hear my "Kiwi" accent they want me to keep speaking," says Arsene.

"I find people are more in their own little places than ever before. There's nothing that really shocked me, the place just seems much bigger. There's not that same close-knit feeling of family or community, but some of the change has been for the better."

Chris admits there's been a lot of change, but quickly adds the friendliness of the community is still how she remembers it from her past stays.

"The biggest pleasure for me coming back was the friendliness of the people," says Chris.

"So many people still remember us and were so excited at seeing us, it was totally amazing. I had forgotten how friendly everyone could be in the North."

Arsene is enjoying being back in Rankin, although he quickly admits to missing his house in New Zealand. And, when asked where he now considers home, Rankin or Auckland, he answers with all the diplomacy expected from a world traveller.

"You know, it's funny. Before we left, I felt that New Zealand was my home, but when the time started to get closer, I felt like I was getting ready to go home again."