Iqaluit (Feb 13/06) - In more than 25 years in Iqaluit, Kevin Okpik has seen a lot of changes to his adopted home.

"I came down here for school, back in 1988. High school, right up there," said Okpik, pointing toward Inuksuk high school. Okpik was standing outside of Northmart, enjoying a coffee, chatting with his friends.

His friends quickly scattered when they realized Okpik was talking to the media.

Okpik is not as shy as his buddies, and when asked how Iqaluit has changed in his time here, he is quick to answer.

"There was no subdivision, there was no Happy Valley, there was no Road to Nowhere, and there was less than 1,000 people," said Okpik.

"I liked it back then. Everybody knew each other. Now, when you see a person, you don't even know who they are," said Okpik.

Orginally from Inuvik, Okpik jokingly calls himself a "half-breed" from both the East and West. He hasn't been to Inuvik since 1996, but does miss it.

"In ways, yes, I miss it. I would go if I could find a job there," said Okpik.

Why does he stay in Iqaluit? It's simple. "It's growing and it's the capital," said Okpik.