SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Linda Croft said the culture and beauty of the Northwest Territories is something you have to take a step back from and admire. Croft, manager of Fort Providence's Snowshoe Inn, was awarded the NWT Tourism service operator of the year award at the annual award dinner on Nov. 7.

Steve Vandell, right, receives the award for service provider of the year from Tracy Therrien, right, on behalf of Linda Croft, manager of the Snowshoe Inn in Fort Providence. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

"It came as quite a surprise and I'm very proud to have gotten that award," she said, adding it was the first time the Snowshoe Inn attended the conference, despite having worked with NWT Tourism on many projects.

Moving from Nova Scotia to the NWT five years ago, Croft has been an integral part of the success of the Snowshoe Inn.

"I think the North is great," she said. "I don't miss a chance to sell the wonders of the NWT and to be a part of the tourism industry and promote the awareness of what we have here to other markets, it's all very exciting.

"And I get to brag about the buffalo and the people and the crafts."

Croft didn't know she was up for the award and wasn't able to be there to receive it; she was rushing back to Fort Providence to get her H1N1 shot.

Croft said she was very humbled to be recognized by her tourism peers for the work she does.

"You have to go that extra little bit," she said. "If you don't make that impression they'll just go somewhere else and they won't remember you when they go home."

"I love people. I love each unique individual person, no matter what. I love to plan, it's a personal hobby. It was nothing for me when I lived at home to invite 300 people and have a band and plan, right down to the fireworks.

"If I can't do it right, I don't want to do it."