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INUVIK - What do you call a Newfoundlander married to a part Inuvialuit part Gwich'in woman?

One lucky man.

Well, that's how Robert Cole of Pasadena, N.L., felt here on Saturday afternoon after tying the knot with Inuvik's own Jaclyn Firth, daughter of former chief James Firth.

Lovebirds Jaclyn and Robert Cole tied the knot in Inuvik on Saturday. Shown here at their reception at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, the couple said one of the best aspects of their relationship is the cultural differences they bring to it. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"She's a great mother and a really, really good cook. She makes great caribou soup," said Robert with a wide smile.

He welcomed the drum dances, the jigs and the traditional prayers that were so much a part of the momentous occasion and cultural celebration.

Both are fiercely proud of where they come from but they also celebrate each other's culture, considering that aspect of their relationship a gift.

Jaclyn quickly points out one such difference.

"He brings home bottled moose from Newfoundland, which is a common thing there, but it's a delicacy for us," she said. "Our yellow berries that we pick every spring, they're are a delicacy in Newfoundland. So it's those things that are interesting."

The lovebirds met in Edmonton seven years ago. Jaclyn was visiting on vacation while Robert was working as a mechanic at a diamond mine. Introduced by Robert's roommate and mutual friend, it was love at first sight, they said.

Jaclyn went immediately back to Inuvik and quit her job. She returned to Edmonton, they bought a house and have since had three children.

Jaclyn visited Robert's family in Pasadena for the first time last Christmas. Although she noticed some differences, she also noticed some fundamental similarities between her people and Robert's.

"A lot of the traditions they carry over there in Newfoundland are the same as what they carry over here," she said. "The people are very friendly. They support each other. They look after each other. And they're very proud of where they come from."

Robert, who loves trapping, hunting and fishing, agrees, pointing to the fact that many Newfoundlanders rely on fish as their staple food and also live off the land.

As far as serving the family meals, he's noticed there's a difference.

"She'd cook supper and feed me first every night," he said. "The Newfoundland tradition is the kids get fed first, then the man after. The native culture says the man needs the energy to go out and get the food."

Jaclyn, who calls Robert the best father in the world, said she's looking forward to many more years of discovery.

Robert couldn't agree more.

"It's going to be great for the rest of our lives," he said.

Wearing traditional moose hide slippers made by Jaclyn's aunt, Robert's mom Catherine and dad Herb attended the wedding and couldn't be more proud of their son.

Overwhelmed by the community's hospitality, they said it reminds them of back home. But they noticed some subtle differences such as bannock, which Catherine said is called tea biscuits in Newfoundland, as well as Eskimo doughnuts, which are called just plain doughnuts.

She said her son has a quite a catch.

"She's a beautiful girl," said Catherine.

That beautiful girl's dad couldn't agree more. James Firth said as a Gwich'in man, he had no problem marrying his Inuvialuit wife, Verna. As far as he's concerned people are people and love is love.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with a Gwich'in marrying a Newfie," he said with a laugh.

"We're all equal whether we're from Tuk or Newfoundland, or wherever. At the end of the day, two people love each other and that's all that matters."