Yellowknife (Dec 20/04) - Among other things, Norman Wells is known for its wide range of residents hailing from all parts of the country.

People relocate there for work and new opportunity.

On the whole, the community is likely thankful that was the case with Sandra Guzzwell. She and her husband Paul moved to the North five years ago from Newfoundland and have never regretted their choice.

It was over a cup of coffee that Sandra Guzzwell, above, and her friends Tonya Carroll, J.F. Leduc and Harvey Pierrot came up with the idea to hold the first Santa Claus parade in Norman Wells. - John Curran/NNSL photo

"I'm from a small place called Musgravetown -- it has about 500 people," she said.

"We were trying for eight years to come up, but we wanted to pick the right opportunity and the community that suited us best."

While her husband took a job with North-Wright Airways, she signed on with Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services and spent four years splitting her time among the Sahtu's five communities.

All the while, they made their home in Norman Wells.

The various cultures present around the Sahtu always fascinated her because her mother was part MicMac and she was Metis.

"It was a part of my culture I wasn't really exposed to back home," she said, adding her move North has helped her learn about what it means. A year ago she made a professional change and now spends most of her time in her home community, but that doesn't mean she's slowed down any.

In addition to being the program co-ordinator for Breaking Down Barriers and Norman Wells Community Justice, she's a counsellor at Mackenzie Mountain school and volunteers anywhere she's needed.

She's active with Santas Anonymous, chaperons at dances, works at the Youth and Elders Centre and does "anything else the kids need."

Everyone loves a parade

Even over a cup of coffee, Guzzwell and her friends Tonya Carroll, J.F. Leduc and Harvey Pierrot don't stop thinking of ways to better their community. Recently that's what they were doing when they came up with the idea to hold Norman Wells' first Santa Claus parade.

She said the best part about life in Norman Wells is the people.

"I love having really good friends who share the same values as me," said Guzzwell.

"My mother always told me, 'There's so much hurt in the world. If you can hold on to one piece of good, eventually it will grow.'"