Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Dec 14/01) - Santa Claus visited Inuvik last Saturday, while giving his reindeer a rest.

Canadian North arranged to have Santa Claus visit the Inuvik airport last Saturday. Lovelle Simon, 4, was among the many children to share what they want for Christmas. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

In keeping with its annual visits program, Canadian North flew Santa to town.

The dozens and dozens of children who flocked to the airport excitedly greeted Santa once he arrived from a visit to Norman Wells earlier that day.

The little ones then waited in a long lineup as one by one, or two by two, children sat on Santa's lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas.

Judging from the reaction of many kids, just getting to meet Jolly Old St. Nick was a big present in itself.

"The kids get pretty excited," confirmed Lise Leroux, Canadian North's customer service manager for Inuvik and Norman Wells.

Leroux said Canadian North has run the visit program for many years. This year her firm is also arranging for Santa to visit Hay River, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Ottawa.

Leroux said that often, many kids from surrounding communities travel to where Santa is visiting.

"What we also do is make sure that airlines like Aklak Air and Northwright Air also get goodie bags so that we can ship some or give some to the kids from the surrounding communities that aren't able to come to the airport on Santa's arrival date."