Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (May 29/02) - The hamlet of Baker Lake is busy preparing for a special annual visit to the community. A group of foreign ambassadors will arrive in Baker on June 5. The visit has been taking place for the past four years.

A group of visiting ambassadors into Baker Lake this coming week is looking forward to hunkering down on the ice and trying their luck at a little fishing, just like Kivalliq residents do it. - Noel Kaludjak/NNSL photo

Mayor David Webster says there are usually about 36 people in the group, including 25 or more ambassadors.

"It's very, very formal, with two or three protocol people from the Department of External Affairs," says Webster.

"There's usually a Canadian deputy minister with the group and the rest are ambassadors from all over the world."

The ambassadors take part in cultural activities, stay overnight in the community and leave the next day.

Webster says the Baker visit is part of a tour to teach foreign ambassadors living in Ottawa a bit about Canada's North.

"We have a lot of fun with this group. It's like a class of university students who are working hard and studying. Then March break comes along and they have a chance to break loose," he says.

"That's kind of like what this is. The ambassadors get an opportunity to really have a lot of fun."

Although the Baker visit allows the group to relax, they are still ambassadors, and a high level of service is expected.

Webster says the group is "very fussy" about following proper protocol.

"They want input into what's served for dinner, people to carry their bags, wine before and during supper -- those types of things. They also give us a heads up if anyone is allergic to any kind of food or if they can't eat a particular type of food for whatever reasons."

This year's group wants to experience a Kivalliq fishing trip.

Webster says jigs will be made and hamlet staff will drill about 20 holes.

Dog teams, snowmachines and qamutiks will be at the ready.

"That way, they'll get both a dog team and a snowmachine ride," he says.

Last year, both the American and Indian ambassadors had their own bodyguards. So, it can be interesting for our residents, too. You don't get to talk to someone from India or Saudi Arabia every day here."