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Governor General returns to Kivalliq

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (May 13/02) - Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson spent two days in the Kivalliq last week as part of a six-community tour of the Central Arctic.

A modest gathering turned out at the Rankin airport to greet the Governor General and her husband, John Ralston Saul.

They were scheduled to spend 10 days in Nunavut, with stops in Rankin Inlet, Repulse Bay, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk.

She arrived in Rankin Inlet May 8. It was her second visit in two years.

Bernadette Dean, a social development co-ordinator with the Kivalliq Inuit Association, was one of about 30 people invited to a private dinner with the Governor General.

Dean said it was an honour to welcome a person of the Clarkson's status into their communities.

"She has a tremendous interest in Nunavut and visits here quite often," said Dean. "In her own way, she's somewhat of an ambassador for Nunavut."

Clarkson also met with elders and community leaders in Rankin Inlet, and took part in a square dance at the community hall.

Among the highlights of the visit to Repulse Bay was a community walk to the historical Naujat site, about two kilometres outside of the community.