Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 03/01) - One of Yellowknife's most impressive annual feasts, the multicultural dinner and auction, takes place this Saturday at the Yellowknife Fire Hall.

Samantha Naidoo at last year's multicultural dinner. - Glen Vienneau/NNSL photo

A slew of volunteer chefs will cook up dishes from around the world. And although the menu is still evolving, it already includes Thai green curry, Vietnamese noodle dishes and caribou stew. The Yellowknife Islamic Centre will roast an entire lamb and exchange students living in Yellowknife are making dessert.

Proceeds from the dinner and auction will buy two specialized scopes -- small surgical tools used to perform surgery less intrusively -- for the hospital.

The scopes can be sterilized in just one hour, which means more surgeries can take place each day.

The Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation chose a "recycled" theme for the auction. Instead of asking businesses to donate items, the foundation approached the community.

"We asked people to send treasures they already have, treasures they don't need anymore," said executive director Sue Glowach.

Out of Yellowknife's closets came two fur coats, a brand new leather jacket, hand-made bowls and a full set of armour.

First-edition journals by the Grey Nuns of the North and from the Franklin Expedition will also be auctioned.

Local artist Bonnie Findlay donated an original water colour, and a family from Ontario -- who prefer to remain anonymous -- contributed two, limited-edition prints by the internationally renowned artist, Carl Beam.

The foundation is accepting advance bids from anyone, as of Tuesday afternoon, in Centre Square Mall.

However, if you haven't purchased your dinner tickets yet, brace for some bad news. "It sold out in three days," said Sue Glowach. "It sells out every year."