Fort Simpson (Sep 24/04) - On Saturday, Fort Simpson residents Michael and Tonya Cazon received a phone call asking if they would host Iceland's president the following day.

The call came from MLA Kevin Menicoche who was hastily making arrangements for President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson's last-minute trip to Fort Simpson. Grimsson, who had spent several days in Yellowknife and Rae-Edzo for the Northern Research Forum, said he wanted to see "the real North."

So at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, the president arrived at the Fort Simpson airport in a Canadian Armed Forces' twin-otter.

Escorted by the RCMP, he and his two compatriots made their way to the Cazon's residence in Wild Rose Acres. There, they enjoyed a meal of moose stew, dry meat, fish, bannock and cranberries -- some of it cooked over a fire right in front of them.

"I think it's an honour to have them here. It's nice to be able to offer them traditional foods," Tonya Cazon said while momentarily standing off to the side. "Maybe there will be a good exchange, to share ideas."

Grimsson also took part in a fire-feeding ceremony and listened to some Dene drummers.

Menicoche said he was glad to introduce the president to Fort Simpson's cultural life, to demonstrate, "It's still strong, still alive."

Grimsson was then taken on a community tour, with historical context provided by Stephen Rowan and Senator Nick Sibbeston.

Rowan has led countless tours of Fort Simpson, but this was his first for a head of state, he acknowledged.

"It doesn't happen every day," Rowan said, laughing.

Felt privileged

Prior to boarding his charter back to Yellowknife, Grimsson said he felt privileged to have been exposed to traditional Dene practices. Clutching the caribou-hide drum that Michael Cazon gave him -- which he said will remind him of the people who have lived here for thousands of years, long before the Europeans came -- he added, "I was very moved with the drumming and the dancing."