Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 18/00) - It has been almost 30 years since her last visit and she made the most of her stay this time around.

Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson visited Inuvik from Aug. 9-10 as part of a tour of the Northwest Territories.

Clarkson, who had been in Inuvik 28 years ago, was given a vice-regal salute by Canadian Rangers and was warmly greeted by Mayor George Roach and other officials when she arrived at the Inuvik airport Aug. 9.

That evening Clarkson and her husband, John Ralston Saul, were the guests of honour at a Community Gathering. They shook the hands of hundreds of people who lined up within the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex and listened to entertainment provided by the Red River Ramblers.

"You are the 12th province or territory that we've visited since I became Governor General 10 months ago," Clarkson told the audience.

"We've got to know the country really quite well. We intend to keep that up," she said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how much of it (Inuvik) has changed, and whether the Igloo Church is still there."

At that point, someone in the audience offered, "It is."

Clarkson smiled.

"It is, I was certain it was," she said.

"You're the place that we chose in the Northwest Territories to have this Community Gathering. We chose one in each province or territory," the Governor General said.

"It's a wonderful way to come out and meet you where you are living your lives, and to find out why you are living here, how you like it. It's an exciting thing for us to do, to be with you. Thank you very much."

Brian Desjardins, tourism co-ordinator for the Town of Inuvik, helped organize the gathering and estimated between 200 to 300 people showed up.

"Talking with some of the local people who did attend the Community Gathering, they were quite excited about meeting the Governor General of Canada," Desjardins said.

He said some of Clarkson's officials commented to him on how well-organized the event was.

"It really bodes well for the community," Desjardins said. "Everything went well, without any problems, and it'll reflect well upon our community; how we can plan and get organized to accept and organize such high-profile events. They were quite impressed with our facilities, particularly the Midnight Sun Complex. It met all their needs."

On Aug. 10, Clarkson visited the Inuvik Community Greenhouse before taking part in a roundtable discussion on native languages. She departed Inuvik that afternoon for Fort Simpson.

Earlier in the week, on Aug. 8, Clarkson visited Holman and was forced to spend the night there after poor weather prevented her from going to Sachs Harbour. She visited Fort McPherson before journeying to Inuvik.