Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 04/00) - The Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, will be in Yellowknife this weekend, August 5-7.

Clarkson, along with her husband John Ralston Saul, will be arriving in Yellowknife, Saturday afternoon, on the first leg of her official visit to the Northwest Territories.

Her first order of business will be to attend a welcoming ceremony at the legislative assembly, followed by a private meeting with NWT Premier, Steve Kakfwi.

She will then meet with NWT Language Commissioner, Fibbie Tatti, to discuss matters of culture and langauge, particularly on how it relates to aboriginal people in the territory.

"Part of the Governor General's visit will be to meet with aboriginal persons in their communities," said Stewart Wheeler, Clarkson's press secretary.

"She just doesn't want to go out and meet them, but learn what affects their lives, the way they celebrate their culture and the challenges that they face."

On Sunday, Clarkson will be inaugurating the Ceremonial Circle by unveiling a dedication plaque, which will officially mark the opening of the downtown meeting place behind City Hall.

After the dedication she will give out medals for exemplary service to Yellowknife corrections officers and giving the Caring Canadian award to local resident, Jan Stirling.

She will then spend the afternoon meeting Yellowknife writers and artists at the Wildcat Cafe, followed by a tour of local art galleries and studios.

In the evening, Clarkson will attend a dinner at the Canadian Forces Northern Area Officer's Mess.

The Governor General leaves Yellowknife Monday morning on her way to seven other NWT communities, finishing in Inuvik, August 9.