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ULUKHAKTOK/HOLMAN
The world's largest privately-owned yacht paid a visit to Ulukhaktok last week. The yacht has 165 residences and it has been travelling the seas continuously since its launch in 2002, according to its website.

It is also likely the largest ship Emily Kudlak has ever seen.

"It's big, huge," she said of the 200-metre vessel.

Kudlak, Chairperson for Ulukhaktok Development Corporation, helped organize activities for the visitors.

More than 200 people poured into the community on Aug. 26 where they were treated to a welcoming ceremony and feast on the beach. They were served Arctic char, caribou, musckox and bannock before heading to the Simon Kataoyak Community Centre for traditional activities, Kudlak said.

"I think it's really important to show the culture and how we use our native food," she said. "They loved it."

Visitors also seemed to especially enjoy watching residents use traditional tools.

"They loved watching them cut up the char and the meat using ulus and the vegetables and stuff being cut up with ulus," she said.

At the centre, they made mitts, watched drum dancing and listened to an Inuinnaqtun version of O Canada.

A group of Arctic sport demonstrators, along with the Western Drummers and Dancers, were invited on board for a tour, where they performed in the ship's theatre.

Visitors also played a round at the most northerly golf course in North America before they left.

Kudlak said cruise ship visits help boost Ulukhaktok's economy.

"If they give us enough notice we like when they come in," she said. "It benefits the community's artists and seamstresses, carvers and performers."

However, not all ships let the community know they're coming, Kudlak also said. The season's first cruise ship failed to notify the town.

"Nobody knew it was coming until it was in the bay," she said. "They walked around and did their own thing and left."

Kudlak said the visit was "unfortunate" because the community had nothing prepared for visitors.

Kudlak said she believed the most recent visit was educational for both the ship passengers and the community's young people.

"I like them being able to see all the cultural events," she said. "It not only shows the visitors, but it shows the younger generation this can still be done."

Kudlak said the community usually receives three or four ships per season.

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