Tuktoyaktuk (Aug 18/03) - The Tuktoyaktuk airport couldn't have been named after a better person.

At least that's what the more than 200 family and friends of the late James Gruben think.

James Gruben's oldest sister Millie Gruben gives her brother's statue a big hug after the dedication ceremony at the airport. - Erin Fletcher/NNSL photo

The airport -- which serves as a lifeline to the community and was the centre of the late Gruben's life -- was officially renamed the Tuktoyaktuk James Gruben Airport during a dedication ceremony Aug. 9.

James Gruben was deemed the best Inuvialuit bush pilot of his era. He died in a car accident along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk ice road in April 2001. He was 43.

James earned his private pilot's licence in 1978, his commercial pilot's licence in 1987 and started his own charter company -- Amaulik Air Ltd. -- in 1989. His determination, generosity and kindness is what he is remembered most for, according to community residents.

A life-sized bronze statue of James on the float of his plane was unveiled during the intimate ceremony.

"This statue stands here as an inspiration to each of us and to our children. It is an inspiration that if you believe in yourself and push yourself you can reach your goals," said James Lay, family friend and master of ceremonies.

"There was no happier guy than when he was heading out to his plane," remembers Lay. "He was the best bush pilot to come out of Tuk."

"He was probably one of the last pilots to know how to heat up your airplane on Husky Lake at 40 below," said Fred Carmichael, family friend, fellow pilot and president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

"It's like he's come back," said James' eldest sister, Millie Gruben, after the ceremony.

"It meant something so beautiful. Now if you really miss him you can come and see him down here."

Millie said James never forgot his sisters or his elders.

"He always made sure I was okay," she smiled, adding he would often bring her meat and take her out to Husky Lake in his plane.

The life-sized bronze statue was cast and created by Don Begg, an international award-winning sculptor based out of Cochran, Alta. It was commissioned by E. Gruben's Transport Ltd.

The statue will be continuously displayed in the airport passenger holding area alongside a commemorative plaque.