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INUVIK - After leaving his homeland of Sudan in 1991, Amier Suliman spent four years divided between Toronto and Edmonton trying to settle down.

Though the Khartoum - Sudan's capital - native was lucky enough to land good employment, and even own two small but successful companies, he never felt at home.

Amirco Security owner Amier Suliman and his employee Sara Gardlund pause for a smile at the Inuvik Regional Hospital last month. Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Open for a new beginning, he accepted an invitation from a friend living in Inuvik to come and explore the North.

He got on part time with the Inuvik Regional Hospital to drive the hospital bus. About five months later the hospital put out tenders for a security team. Having military training in Sudan he put his name in. He recruited three more friends who also have experience. He got the job, and the rest is history.

Now a flourishing operation with several more employees, Amirco Security is still providing the hospital with round the clock surveillance. Over the past 13 years, he's provided his services to countless recreational and government groups, local and beyond. Some of his career highlights include guarding Prime Minister Stephen Harper's jet during his visit here last August. As well as being part of the security team for the Western Premiers' Conference held in Inuvik four years ago, along with the many political ambassadors, Canadian and foreign military attaches that frequent the area.

In all that time, Suliman has forged countless friendships and has come to call Inuvik home. He's even a long-standing member of the town's volunteer firefighting department.

"This town has really given me the sense that I'm home," he said.

As well, he said he notices several similarities between the traditional culture he's grown into and that of his native Sudan.

"We have the same sense of tribal thinking," he said. "I always tell people the North and Africa is the same, the only difference is the snow."

He's gone on long Caribou hunting expeditions with friends here. Living in Africa, he spent lots of time on his grandfather's farm, meaning the idea of hunting and skinning is innate.

"I love those things," he said with a grin.

It's that same communal mentality, he said, that exists with business in the North.

He hasn't stopped with his security business, and has picked up some real estate over the years. Last July, he opened the Airport Arctic Gift Shop, which focuses on traditional aboriginal art. He's purchased a commercial building on Veterans' Way, in which among other things, he's hoping to open a coffee shop/deli serving some exotic dishes, such as Arabian and East African food.

He said he has no plans to slow down, and attributes his success to hard work and a higher power.

"It's the grace of God," he said. "Secondly, I believe with any business it's attitude. You have to have good sense of what you're doing and treat the people equal. When you treat people with respect and you build up a good rapport, the job will come to you."

The hospital is also where he met his wife Sandra in 1996, at a Christmas party. She is still there, employed as manager of operations for the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority.

She thinks there are many reasons for her husband's success.

"He has a passion for what he does," said Sandra. "He loves people. People trust him. He's reliable. You see what you get, he's a very good man."