Melissa Vejins
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 10/99) - Enter the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre and you will be greeted by Archie Loutitt's smile.

Loutitt, who's head of security at the centre, has been living in Yellowknife for over 40 years.

"I was born in the North ... in Rocher River, a little ghost town now."

Loutitt's background consists of Scottish, French and Chipewyan heritage.

"My grandma spoke French and Chipewyan, so I learned a little bit here and there," he recalls.

Though Loutitt has worked at the heritage centre for 19 years and seven months, he took on numerous jobs before settling for this one.

"I worked at both mines (Giant and Con). One day my friend said to me 'Why don't you come work at News Of The North,' back when Colin Alexander owned it." Several months later,

Loutitt adds, "I was in the darkroom and I decided that I was going to do something else, see where things would lead."

Things led Loutitt to a government job interview.

After a series of questions, he was chosen for the job.

"I trained for a day and a half. I often asked myself, 'How do I do this?' I learned everything on the job."

And according to Loutitt, there were many challenges.

"You have to control the heat and humidity at all times ... it was something I had to learn."

Over the years, the job requirements have changed.

"To begin with, we didn't have a lot of electronics. You had to rely on your sight and hearing ... I have developed a hidden sense -- you notice small things other people overlook."

As the interview continues, Loutitt gets up periodically to check on someone entering the building. When the phone rings, he politely excuses himself and darts off to answer it.

When he returns, I ask him how he feels about diamonds being on display.

"Before they even entered the building, I had to reflect and say, 'Oh man, this is going to change things.' It is giving us the extra nudge to be on our toes. I have to work on my ability to spot suspicious people."

And that, Loutitt can.

He claims it happens on a subtle level and is noticeable in people's movements.

Having been there for nearly 20 years has given Loutitt the opportunity to meet royalty and government dignitaries on more than one occasion.

"Trudeau was here. We had a little chat. He was here to open the first Arctic Winter Games. I also saw Princess Caroline of Monaco, when she was a little girl."

Loutitt never married, but has a busy social life and tries to get out on the land as much as he can. He used to be an avid collector. "I collected different things and after a while I gave them away. I used to collect stamps, but that became too costly...so I let that go."

For now, he paints and does some photography.

"I'm a doodler, as soon as I get on the phone (Loutitt stops to show me a post-it with a beautifully detailed beach scene with palm trees) I'm drawing away."

"I quit painting for a few years. It happened after I tried mixing some paints and nothing would work. But now I do it because I like it."

Loutitt excuses himself from the interview.

"I have to open up, so please wait here a minute."

It is 10:30 a.m. and a Japanese couple is eager to come in and visit. When Loutitt returns, one can hear the sound of a flock of snow geese in the background.

The museum is open.