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INUVIK - Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Inuvik Tuesday for the start of a three-day tour of the region.

Harper was joined by territorial Conservative candidate Brendan Bell and was expected to make an announcement during his stay in Tuktoyaktuk and another announcement in Dawson City, Yukon on the last day of his trip.

Inuvialuit dancer Lillian Elias meets Prime Minister Stephen Harper during his arrival in Inuvik Tuesday evening. Harper was met by the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers along with a group of supporters who wished the prime minster well on his visit to the North. His brief stop in Inuvik starts his three-day tour of the North, ending on Thursday. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The RCMP hangar was set up for the welcoming event. Poor weather conditions kept the event inside.

Harper was met at the foot of his private plane by Premier Floyd Roland and Inuvik Mayor Derek Lindsay.

Harper also met with regional leadership during his arrival. Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson said he hoped to get serious talking time in with the minister during his time in the coastal community of Tuktoyaktuk.

The Inuvik Drummers and Dancers performed and Harper was introduced to the troupe. Harper did not make any public remarks or comments to the members of the media.

Once he had seen an encore performance by the drummers and dancers, Harper was taken to the Mackenzie hotel.

Some people in attendance said they were happy to see the nation's leader this far North.

"I'm glad to see he's come up here and help put Inuvik on the map," said David James Stewart.

"Hopefully he throws some money around."

Others questioned Harper's motives for coming North.

Zoe Ho said she and others don't understand the nature of Harper's visit to the region.

"We don't know what it's about because it's so secretive," she said.

With talks of an increased military presence in the region, Ho said there are other issues that should take priority over Arctic sovereignty.

"I see a lot of problems around here that won't be solved with having more soldiers around," she said.

"What we need is housing. We need health care. We need education and what we need is understanding."

She said national politicians such as Harper need to come North more often.

"That would be more effective than making policies back at the cabinet," she said.