Yellowknife (Aug 15/03) - Yellowknife has a rich and diverse culture, as does the Northwest Territories.

A recent walking tour of the Capital Area Park with Nancy MacNeill, a tourism-visitor information counsellor, brought that home.

Nancy MacNeill sits behind one of the last Eastern Arctic art pieces remaining in the legislative assembly. Nunavut took most of the art when the two territories separated. - Amy Collins/NNSL photo

The Capital Area Park is a joint project between the territorial government and the city to show that Yellowknife is very much metropolitan and also has a lot of natural beauty.

All the buildings in that area were designed to accent the surrounding environment, MacNeill said.

Starting at the Northern Frontier Visitor's Centre, MacNeill said her favourite tree is the Tamarack.

It's the only tree in the North that loses its needles in the fall.

As we passed Department of National Defence Northern Area headquarters MacNeill talked about the man the building is named after. Henry Evans arrived in 1898 to help the Yukon Field Forest troops with the gold rush.

"He was such a good leader. (His troops were) always raring to go," MacNeill said.

We continued on to the ceremonial circle which was dedicated by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson in 1999.

"It represents the importance of the circle to the aboriginal culture.

"It's also a compass, with north pointing that way," she said, pointing towards the highway.

As we headed towards the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, MacNeill said each of the 33 flags marking the way represents a community in the Northwest Territories.

On the Yellowknife flag is a Latin phrase that means "many things in a small place."

The pathway to the legislative assembly is cracked and uneven.

"It's an example of Yellowknife's roads," MacNeill said.

The first legislative building was opened in 1993. Glass is used in every room, except for the washrooms and security rooms, encouraging people to enter and ask questions.

In fact, when the chamber is in session, you can see the activity from outside of the building.

However, it "is much more than just an office building," MacNeill said. It also showcases Northern art and talents.

The circular design of the conference room has excellent acoustics. MacNeill said she once gave a tour while suffering from laryngitis and the group didn't notice.

"I could talk to the wall and you'd still be able to hear me," she said.

We looked at the old speaker's oak chair that was always moved to wherever the assembly was held.

"I had a guy in the tour who used to move it around. He said it was really heavy," MacNeill remembered, laughing. "I had to reassure him he wouldn't have to move it ever again."

The last place we visited was the gallery where the public is permitted to watch the proceedings.

A bear skin rug -- donated by a former MLA who shot it defending his community -- usually adorns the floor, but it's been taken away for repairs.

"He's on a spa retreat," MacNeill joked.