Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 08/02) - Japanese tour guide Satoru Kikuchi sat through three days of long talks at the Dene Nation leadership assembly and enjoyed every minute.

Satoru Kikuchi sat through three days of talks recently at the Dene Nation leadership assembly.

Despite English being his second language and almost half of the talks conducted in aboriginal dialects, Kikuchi said he found the meeting well worth his time.

"Very impressive," said Kikuchi who has been in Yellowknife for four months.

"Statements are very long and no one interferes in people's sentences."

Kikuchi attended the meetings as research for two projects he is working on in Yellowknife when not a tour guide with Raven Tours.

The Tokyo resident is here to scout for a possible television documentary on the Dene.

The project is still in the proposal stage.

Kikuchi is also here to study eco-tourism opportunities around Great Bear Lake.

He's a recent graduate of the Tokyo College of Conservation, which was founded by C.W. Nicol, who Kikuchi said is a good friend of Raven Tours owner Bill Tait.

"Nicol's wants me to plan eco-tourism with Raven Tours," said Kikuchi, whose contract ran out as a guide with the tour company April 4.

Kikuchi said he was thankful for the kindness showed by the assembled chiefs.

"I'm really impressed with their kindness and friendliness," said Kikuchi.