Rankin Inlet (July 09/03) - Have you ever seen a Brit drum dance? If you were in Rankin Inlet last month, you may have had the chance.

British High Commissioner Sir Andrew Burns tries his hand at drum dancing. Burns, along with a delegation of world ambassadors and other delegates, were in Rankin Inlet on last month as part of a Northern tour. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

Sir Andrew Burns, British high commissioner, took to the stage to show his finesse in the Inuit drum dance.

"I haven't done that before, it makes a good sound," he said.

Burns was among 29 world diplomats that travelled to Rankin Inlet on June 18 as part of a Northern tour. It was Burns' first trip to Rankin Inlet, but not to the North.

Two years ago he had the chance to travel to one of Canada's most Northern points, Alert. He also visited Sommerset Island. It was, however, his first time to Rankin.

"It's great fun, good humour," he said of the hamlet.

At least one person in town was excited to see the British dignitary. He is Michele Ashby's cousin.

She said it was a great coincidence the stop was in Rankin and she could connect with a family member.

Also on the tour was His Excellency Miguel Maria N'lau Puna. He is the Angolan Ambassador to Canada. Angola is located on the south-western coast of Africa.

Although he was enjoying his visit North, the Ambassador of the tropical nation did not enjoy the weather.

For most of the day, temperatures in Rankin hovered in the low teens, but dropped to around three degrees Celsius and began raining when the dignitaries arrived.

For the African diplomat, that is extremely cold.

In the cooler season, Angolan temperatures rarely drop below 20 Celsius. In the summer time temperatures are in the mid 30s.

N'lau Puna tugged meaningfully on a jean jacket he was wearing, while riding a tour bus to a site eight kilometres outside of Rankin.

"In my country there is no need to wear such things," he said.

The tour has been an annual tradition going back 30 years.

It began with Prime Minister Jean Chretien when he served as minister for the Department of Indian Affairs.

The tour is a chance to familiarize foreign diplomats with Canada's Arctic.

"They've been posted in Canada for two years and many of them never get a chance to come up North," said Lynn Pigeon, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

While in Rankin the group toured the town, were treated to demonstrations of traditional Inuit games, dance and art and had the chance to feast on Arctic Char.

Mayor Lorne Kusugak said the visit was great for the hamlet.

It provided jobs to local guides, hotels, artists and bus drivers, if only for a day. As well, it helped put Rankin on the map.

"Hopefully they will go away with nice things to say about our community," said Kusugak.