INUVIK - At first glance, Inuvik's town hall didn't look much different on March 9.

But high on the flagpole, one blue and white flag had been taken down, and another put in its place.

The Franco-Tenois flag has represented NWT francophones since 1992. It features a half-snowflake and half Fleur-De-Lys, placed over an Arctic landscape. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

"We stole the town's flag and replaced it with ours," joked Claude Gervais of the GNWT Francophone association, to gathered friends at the Eskimo Inn's monthly francophone lunch.

Of course, the temporary swap had been approved by Inuvik town hall beforehand.

Councillor Clarence Wood even helped Gervais install the "franco-tenois" flag, which shows a fleur-de-lis, snowflake and polar bear on an Arctic background.

Gervais said the move was a symbolic start to the "rendezvous de la Francophonie," which happens in Canada March 9 to 25.

"It's national, and it's a chance to rub elbows with other francophones," he said.

Gervais added the flag itself was invented in 1992, and recognizes all the french-speaking people of the NWT.

He said it was hoisted over Yellowknife's town hall last year, and might soon fly in Hay River or Fort Smith, where many francophones also live.

In Inuvik, where the primary school has French immersion classes and the francophone association holds monthly lunches, movies and occasional outings like snowmobile rallies, Gervais said it was important to share the culture with everyone.

For instance, he said the group was planning a maple syrup booth for the Inuvik jamboree in April - featuring real syrup flown in from Quebec - and said the association once went to Aklavik and Fort McPherson to share maple recipes.

In addition, there is also the annual Mother's Day lobster dinner, which represents Acadia and the Maritimes.

"Your lobster is alive when you get it," Gervais said, adding the critters are flown up in foam containers.

But of course, while francophones might be the ones who organize the lunch and activities, Gervais said it's not necessary to speak French to participate.

"There are francophones and francophiles," he said, meaning anyone interested can come say hello.