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INUVIK - For Hazel Maring, it's been a long and exhausting 65 years since she saw her family.

Maring was moved from her home in Aklavik when she was four years old. She was sent to Toronto, and spent the last 65 years living in southern Ontario.

Brother and sister Jimmy and Hazel Maring haven't seen each other in 65 years. Hazel was separated from her family and sent to Ontario. She was back in town last month to meet with long-lost family members in Inuvik and Aklavik. - photo courtesy of Carol Maring

She said a group of missionaries took her from her home to live with a new family near Toronto.

"I was brought up and taught that I was adopted," said Maring.

After years of confusion, Maring attempted to find the papers proving the adoption.

"I could never find the papers. There weren't any to begin with," she said.

Earlier this year Maring was given the best Mother's Day present she's ever received. Her daughter sent her a card with a note inside, telling her of the plan to return to Inuvik.

"The card said that we were taking a trip to Inuvik in the summer," she said.

Her daughter was in contact with the family members in town and made arrangements for Maring to stay with relatives.

Maring came home to Inuvik and Aklavik on July 29 to see her long-lost family members, including her brother Jimmy, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

"He's quite far along, but from what I understand he was able to recognize that I was there," said Maring.

"I always dreamed that I'd see my brother again," she said.

To get to Inuvik, Maring flew to Whitehorse, where she was picked up by her family.

On the way back south, she was given a ride back to Whitehorse.

For Maring, being away from her family and home for so long made the reunion and visit all feel strangely comforting for her.

"The people I met here and talked with looked like me and acted like me," she said.

"That is how I knew I was with family."

She laughed and said she remembers meeting people during her visit, asking if they were related.

"It felt like I came home. It was all natural and welcoming," she said.

"It completed me and filled me with emotions."

Since she returned home, Maring has fallen a bit sick and couldn't call everyone she met right away.

"I have all the contact info for everyone back home," she said. "I've sent a few e-mails since I've been back."

Maring was also able to see Aklavik again after so many years away.

"My brother Edgar brought me out to Aklavik to see the town," she said. "I recognized a few things here and there."

She saw her parent's graves and met some people at the old folk's home as well.

She said the trip was one to remember and she thanked all the family members for making the trip so nice.

"Being back in the region made me feel like I belong somewhere," she said.