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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Flat Stanley has been a busy little guy for the last three weeks, trying to soak up all that is Yellowknife.

The cut-out cut-up took it to the literal extreme, even taking a brisk polar bear dip into the Yellowknife River.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem chats with Yellowknife visitor Flat Stanley. Stanley was sent to the city by seven-year-old Daniel Raymond from Toronto, and will return to Raymond with stories and artifacts from his Northern adventure. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

"His hands went a little white," said Stanley's official ambassador Karen McMaster.

"They were a little numb for a while."

Every activity the laminated paper man does in Yellowknife is documented with stories, photos and artifacts. He is then sent back to Toronto with this wealth of information, allowing classrooms to learn about the places he visited.

During his time in Yellowknife, he's "hung-out" at Bullock's Bistro, taken an underground tour of the Ekati diamond mine, snowshoed out in the bush and even had a private meeting with the mayor.

When Yellowknifer caught up with him on Monday, Stanley clearly looked worn out from his fun-filled days.

He was sprawled out on a Bullock's Bistro table and said nary a word the entire interview, and let McMaster do the talking.

"He talks. He's a great conversationalist," she said, even though she admitted he was kind of shy.

Flat Stanley was sent North by seven-year-old Daniel Raymond in Toronto, as part of a class project.

McMaster, who has lived in Yellowknife for nearly five years, went to school with Raymond's parents and agreed to put the foot-tall traveller up for a month and give him an authentic Yellowknife experience.

The class sent 16 of the laminated paper man out into the world, which will come back with stories and artifacts from places they visited.

"It's a great, wonderful educational tool," said McMaster.

"It's a way for all these kids to learn about the places their Flat Stanleys visit."

The first thing that becomes apparent when meeting Stanley is his casual attire. He very much appeared the southern import, dressed for a Yellowknife November in a shirt and tie.

McMaster had some initial concerns. They were cured, however, by Daniel's assurances.

"I said 'Daniel, he's going North, don't you think he should wear a hat and mitts?'"

A clever student, Daniel had a quick response.

"He said, 'he's warm. He's laminated.'"

Yellowknifers have been quick to greet Flat Stanley with a smile.

On his tour of Ekati, Flat Stanley was treated just like everyone else. They even made him go through security. McMaster said with his flat belly, he went through pretty quick.

"He had no pockets to put any diamonds in," she said.

During the tour, Stanley got to sit on a small fortune: $9 million in diamonds.

"No one gets to do that," said McMaster.

Flat Stanley has also been introduced to Northern cuisine.

Daniel sent some two-dimensional pizza with Stanley, but he hasn't had any.

"He's been eating lots of caribou," she said, adding he had also tested moose, geese and duck.

"No pizza," she assured.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem took some time out to meet with Stanley on Monday, and shared some local knowledge. He said this wasn't the first visit he's had from a flat traveller.

"We get one or two a year travelling through," he said.

"Once we had one come through that was lost."

Flat Stanley hopes to do some dog-mushing and has even been invited to speak on a radio program before he leaves.

McMaster hopes to send Stanley back with some dried meat, souvenirs and even a fur. Judging from Flat Stanley's flat stature, squirrel hide may suffice.

She said Stanley wanted to acknowledge those who made his time in the city memorable.

"He thanks everybody in Yellowknife for their warmth and hospitality," she said.

Stanley ships out this weekend and McMaster said she'll miss him.

"He makes me laugh every day," she said.