Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 12/01) - From guiding tours to cleaning dishes, Camellia Gray does it all.

Since May 3 Gray has been office manager for Arctic Nature Tours, which involves a wide range of duties, including booking tours, inventory control and sales clerk duties.

Camellia Gray says her job with Arctic Nature Tours keeps her busy. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

"It just never ends," Gray said.

During the summer she conducted tours within Inuvik, and sometimes went along with big groups to provide information along the way to Aklavik or Tuktoyaktuk.

As well, while talking to The Drum, Gray was busy washing dishes and looking after other camp equipment Arctic Nature Tours just bought.

Gray was born in Tuk but her family moved to Inuvik when she was two. She got her first taste of the tourism business in 1999 when she worked at the Western Arctic Regional Visitors Centre.

"I really, really enjoy tourism. It's never, ever boring, it's always new," Gray said.

She said all the visitors who dropped by Arctic Nature Tours this summer were interesting.

"They all had something different to say about the Dempster, or something different to say about their flight up, learning about the area."

One thing she really enjoys, Gray said, is when "people come from the south and they're so fascinated with the people, the area, and the cultures in this region, and when they want to know more about the Delta, with their children.

"You know, they just all find it so fascinating," she said.

"There's so many different questions they always ask, like when can we see wildlife. And you can't give an honest answer, it's like you just have to be prepared when you do."

Gray noted the weather plays a key part with her job, especially if poor weather delays a tour.

"We have the videos there, we have stuff to keep them occupied," she said.

"We have something else for them to do so they don't become bored or disappointed."