Gjoa Haven (June 02/03) - A Norwegian sailing ship will begin a three-month voyage June 6, retracing the Roald Amundsen's 1903 voyage through the Northwest Passage to Gjoa Haven.

Knewt Espon Soleberg of the Norwegian adventuring group Xantic, is leading the historical re-enactment of the Amundsen's three-year journey, except that this voyage will last just three months.

The assistant senior administrative officer for Gjoa Haven, Sterling Firlotte, said the community is preparing for an anniversary celebration that will greet the ship's arrival in early September.

A memorial cairn and plaque will be unveiled and two traditional kayaks are being built. The kayaks will be piloted by people in traditional Inuit garb who will meet the Norwegian ship. Firlotte expects the ship will be carrying museum artifacts that will be displayed in Gjoa Haven.

"They are putting together hard goods like harpoons, fish hooks - I anticipate there will also be some written documents," he said.

The celebration has been in the works for about five years and there are grand ideas, including a visit by Amundsen's great grandson, Paul Iquallaq, and a scuba diving exploration of the site where the Gjoa was anchored.

"It's all going to come down to resources -- human and financial," said Firlotte.

A film crew from England is doing a documentary on Amundsen and may use some of the footage from the anniversary in their film.

"The Norwegian ambassador (Ingvard Havnen) in Ottawa and his wife (Elizabeth) would also like to officially be invited to come," said Firlotte.