Rankin Inlet (Jan 19/05) - The Kivalliq News occupies a special place in the heart of its associate editor, Mikle Langenhan.

Originally from Arviat and a former Rankin Inlet resident, Langenhan has been with the newspaper since Day 1.

Associate Editor Mikle Langenhan holds up a copy of the first front page of Kivalliq News, printed on Dec. 21, 1994. She's translated almost every edition of the newspaper during the past 10 years.

"I had a full-time job with the NWT legislative assembly in Yellowknife when I was approached by Bruce Valpy in 1995 and asked if I'd be interested in translating a new paper being started in the Kivalliq," said Langenhan.

"I said I'd give it a try and I've been here ever since."

Langenhan said she thought the Kivalliq News had a good chance of being successful because the people of the region were ready for their own newspaper.

She said the biggest challenge she faced during the early years was getting used to the style of each new editor and coping with the constant worry over getting her translations done on time.

"I'd start panicking if I didn't get my stories on time, which I still do today.

"I start thinking everyone's looking at me because I haven't finished yet.

"I always felt it was my responsibility to get the translations done on time no matter what, so I always felt the pressure there."

Northern News Services Ltd. publisher Jack Sigvaldason said Langenhan's involvement as an associate editor from the beginning was a major key to the paper's survival and success.

He said Langenhan has steered the paper through some troubled waters, helped its non-Inuit editors develop an understanding of Inuit ways, and she reflects Inuit perspective through her translations.

"Mikle is a valued member of the Northern News Services family," said Sigvaldason.

"She's easy to get along with and has a good sense of humour, which is pretty important in the newspaper business."

Of all the stories she has translated during the past 10 years, Langenhan lists the three-part Kikkik series (2000) as the one which stands out the most to her.

She said she has grown to care quite deeply for the paper and its content.

"The Kivalliq News is my baby, so I always get nervous when somebody else has to do the translations.

"I'm like a mother who has somebody else babysit their child for the first time."