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 Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson always takes the time to chat with local youth whenever she visits Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Clarkson last visited the hamlet two years ago and said her recent stop was a continuation of that visit.
The Governor General kicked off a six-community visit of the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions with her stop in Rankin on May 8.
Repulse Bay was the second stop in her 10-day tour of the North.
Clarkson told those gathered at a special dinner in her honour that Nunavut's youth hold one of the keys to meeting the challenges of the North.
"I had the opportunity to speak with students of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa and many of them told me they wanted to return here," said Clarkson.
"That's very important for the future in solving many of the problems communities face here."
Rankin hamlet Coun. Levinia Brown said the community is always surrounded by an air of excitement whenever anyone as important as the Governor General pays a visit.
She said people remember such events for a long time and the positive message Clarkson delivered touched the community.
"When she talks or asks questions about Nunavut, it always seems like they're coming straight from her heart and that's so very important," said Brown.
"You can tell she's genuinely concerned about the North and its development."
Brown described Gov. Gen. Clarkson and her husband, John Ralston Saul, as warm and easygoing.
She said it's almost like they've been Northerners forever.
"It's easy to have a conversation with her." "There's no tension whatsoever."
Brown said Clarkson is both understanding and aware of the challenges faced in the North.
"I found her to be a very good listener. She pays so much attention to the people, that everybody just adores her," she said.
"There were lots of smiling faces and laughter. That says a lot as to how the people have taken to her. It was like an old friend or family member came home for a visit and that says a lot for a person of her stature."
