Rankin Inlet (July 16/03) - Sally Luttmer (Tootoo) loves the North having lived in Rankin Inlet for many years and she took time this summer to share the beauty of this unique region with her friends from the South.

Every year Luttmer comes North from Calgary where she is now living to visit family, specifically her sons Hunter and Victor Tootoo.

On her trip she takes photos that she brings back with her.

"I make an album and people who see it want to come here," said Luttmer.

"In a moment of insanity I thought I'd bring tourists up."

In all, seven people hailing from the Alberta regions of Calgary and Bergen, to British Columbia's Vancouver and Kootenay regions came North for a two- week excursion.

Their first stop was Rankin Inlet for a one-week visit.

Barry and Maida Evans were two of the visitors.

No strangers to the North the couple have visited destinations such as Yellowknife and Inuvik in the NWT.

But, this was their first trip to Nunavut.

Ann Murphy and her husband, Jim, had never been to Canada's North before.

"I think it's great, beautiful," said Ann.

Jim said he had been expecting to see seal, muskox, polar bears and caribou while here.

As of the time of the interviews no such wildlife had been encountered.

But, the group still had plans to go out on the land and take a trip to Marble Island.

Like most visitors to Rankin one thing always stands out.

"The people are very friendly," said Ann.

The seven also had the opportunity to participate in a unique Nunavut tradition.

On July 9 they joined in as residents of Rankin celebrated Nunavut Day.

Shirl Bayer, said for her that was the highlight of the trip.

She particularly enjoyed watching the bannock cooking contest.

"There were all these little old ladies out there and they were having fun," she said.

After Rankin the group headed to Iqaluit and also had plans to visit Pangnirtung and Kimmirut.