Rae Lakes (Dec 22/03) - The people of Gameti got an early start on the Christmas spirit with feasts and a concert last week.

"A lot of people will be travelling to other communities over Christmas," Tony Rabesca said of the flurry of fun. "This was a good time to celebrate together."

Santa dropped by from the North Pole to visit Gameti with presents for all ages. Everyone from the youngest to the eldest got a gift.

A community feast kicked things off on Tuesday. An elder dinner at the health centre followed on Wednesday.

A bus made the rounds to ensure elders made it to the event. Santa was there, too, to hand out surprises to everyone.

It was concert time in the evening at the new community hall, as students from all Grades put on a show. A certain red-suited visitor came by afterward to present gifts to all the children.

Thursday, saw the community hall doors opened for bingo, sponsored by the Gameti Recreation Committee.

"Everyone had a good time," Rabesca said, adding that the new year will be a busy one for Gameti.

The community is planning to build a traditional house as a centre for culture, ceremonies and a way to involve elders and youth in community decisions, Rabesca said.

There is still a lot to do in the early stages, including a regional workshop Jan. 23-25 to talk about the project, he noted.

"We want to get back to some of the old ways of our community and bridge the gap between our youth and elders," Rabesca said.

Another project going ahead in 2004 is the construction of a nine-hole golf course.

The basic equipment -- flags, cup holes and so forth -- has already been purchased.

"The fairways will be mostly sand, but the area has beautiful mountain scenery," Rabesca explained. "And it will be quieter than the Yellowknife golf course (with its constant racket from low-flying aircraft)."

The golf course is part of a plan to lure tourists to Gameti. The plan includes offering guided fishing tours and a campground next to the golf course, Rabesca added.

The Tli Cho/Dogrib assembly will be gathering in Gameti in August, perhaps in time to give the new attractions a good work out.

"There's lots going on!" Rabesca says.