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Russel Andre is the man to see...

Philippe Morin
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 31/06) - "Come into the kitchen, I am preparing a fish," says Russel Andre, as he opens the door to the staff kitchen of the M.V. Louis Cardinal.

Indeed, on a bed of newspaper in the ferry's small kitchen, Andre is cleaning a large whitefish.

It's a fresh catch pulled from the Mackenzie River which the Louis Cardinal navigates.

As an operator of the ferry which connects Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson, Andre gets to be close to the river.

A former fire chief in Tsiigehtchic and crewman on a fishing boat, he has been working on boats for 20 years and even racked up three months combined time at sea.

He says he enjoys his work, since people are friendly and it's nice to work only a short walk away from his wife and six (soon to be seven) children.

"If you like water, this is a good job," he adds.

Once cars are safely on the ferry, Andre says he sometimes sneaks off to the kitchen to cook another piece of whitefish.

As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, Andre says he has come to appreciate the Mackenzie and Arctic Red rivers.

He says he sometimes reflects on the fact that the Mackenzie flows for hundreds of kilometres from Tsiigehtchic's shores, reaching as far as Fort Providence and Great Slave Lake.

"A lot of people don't realize it goes that far," he says.

He adds that working the ferry is a nice way to spend an afternoon, since you get to enjoy the breezy weather.

Does he still harbour any dreams of heading back on the ocean?

"No, but I'm working on my certification to become captain!" Andre says with a laugh.