"I've never seen so many trees in my life," he said shortly before giving a service in Fort Simpson last Thursday.

Idlout is the first Inuit bishop of the Anglican Church and possibly any other Christian religion. The diocese had a native candidate before but he was never elected as bishop, Idlout explained. He was selected last June and is visiting all of the parishes in the Northern diocese as part of his new role.

"I love it," he said. "It's very exciting and it's a real challenge."

Idlout visited Fort Liard, Wrigley and Fort Simpson, giving services and talking with residents.

Idlout said the Eastern Arctic is feeling a renewed spiritual life thanks, in part, to services held in the Inuktitut.

"For me it is easier to communicate with people," he said, after being asked about the benefits of being a native bishop.

Idlout had the opportunity to talk with young residents of Fort Liard and gave them some words of encouragement.

"We are living a different life these days. It's easier and we owe it to the older generation to get a good education and take responsibility," he said.

Idlout said he hopes more local people will become involved in church activities, something that he says is beginning to happen in the Eastern Arctic.

Idlout leaves the Deh Cho for his home in Iqaluit July 4 after stopping in Fort Smith and Yellowknife.

And with the imminent split of the NWT, he may not be back, he said.

But Idlout did have some wise words about the similarities and differences between people living in the Eastern and Western Arctic.

He told some Wrigley residents, "there are bears here and in the East. Here they are black and there they are white, but they are all bears."