Yellowknife (Apr 11/05) - Wendell Shiffler is a born diplomat.

The vice-president of the Arctic Winter Games Committee and four other delegates toured the South Slave and Yellowknife last week to give the competing communities one last chance to impress before the 2008 Arctic Winter Games are awarded.

If Shiffler is leaning towards one over the other, he didn't let on. But you can bet when the decision is made the committee will leave no doubt as to their support.

"It's not going to be a hung jury, we're going to come out united," he said.

Many factors - including facilities, accommodations and enthusiasm - are considered, and Shiffler said their job is to put all the pieces together.

"Our task is to look at the big picture and see how it all fits together to make a good Arctic Winter Games for our kids," said Shiffler.

For the athletes, the Arctic Winter Games are about way more than competition. It's the first time away from home for many of them.

"We know this is a life learning experience for these kids. There isn't an event like this in the world. It's a task we take very seriously," said Shiffler.

The first Games were held in Yellowknife in 1970. Shiffler said a lot has changed since then.

As technology changes and the games grow, Shiffler said the committee has the task of considering not only who can put on the best show, but accommodate current realities.

"We can't stay in the stop watch age. We have to go with what the times are," said Shiffler.

The South Slave and Yellowknife pulled out all the stops to impress the International Committee, but the tours had very different flavours.

The delegation visited Hay River, the Hay River Reserve and Fort Smith on April 4 and 5.

They were then off to Yellowknife and the satellite communities of Ndilo and Dettah on April 6 and 7.

In Hay River, the delegation was greeted by hundreds of people at a noisy pep rally at the arena before touring the town's facilities.

In the evening, a couple of hundred people packed a reception at the Hay River Golf Club.

If the South Slave's bid is successful Hay River would be the official host community, but the games would also involve Fort Smith, the Hay River Reserve, Enterprise and Fort Resolution.

In Yellowknife the atmosphere was more professional and business-like.

Toured around the city by two white limousines, the committee travelled first class to city venues and meetings with aboriginal and community leaders.

They were greeted by cheering athletes, coaches and mascots as well as a jazz band and choir at the Multiplex

In the evening they attended a Chamber of Commerce business soiree at the Canadian Forces Northern Area mess.

"We have seen a tremendous display of Northern hospitality in both bid areas," said Shiffler.

Sharing the spirit

Shiffler was noncommittal in assessing the two bid sites, and said the North had many commonalities.

"No matter where I go in the North we have a common identity," he said.

Asked whether some communities may be too small to stage the games, he said "each community has its own challenges."

Shiffler said he would not want the bid process limited to larger communities. It should remain open to all who feel they can do it.

"If they want to bid, I'm not going to be a person to say, 'You can't bid,'" he said.

The bid evaluation committee will make a recommendation to the whole AWG International Committee, which will vote on the bids.

The two NWT members will abstain.

Shiffler says the vote will probably be sometime this month.

"At the latest mid-May," he promised.

"The process of bidding is good for communities no matter who wins."

The South Slave previously hosted the games in 1978.