INUVIK - Inuvik Drum was chosen best in the All Around General Excellence category among its peers across the country at the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Awards held in Toronto in May.

"Tightly-written stories that introduce everyday people to readers put the Inuvik Drum ahead of the crowd," the judge wrote. "It's the tight writing, thoughtful leads and content about hometown people doing hometown things that make this community paper a winner. Innovative ideas - polls in print, youth of the week, hockey card profiles and more - make it apparent the Drum is a part of its community, not just an outsider looking in."

Inuvik Drum rose to the top of its class at the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Awards. "The Drum is part of its community, not just an outsider looking in," wrote the judge.

Inuvik Drum was also declared to have the best editorial page in its class, which consisted of 18 entrants.

The Inuvik newspaper also earned third place for Best Coverage of the Arts. The stories and photos over the course of the past year show "the newspaper shares an exuberant celebration of the arts with the community," according to the judge. "One of the nicest things about the Drum's entry is the positive energy that can be seen in the stories, particularly through the huge smiles in the photos. In addition, the stories show markedly unique aspects of the arts community."

Other Northern News Services' newspapers also fared well in the national competition.

Deh Cho Drum finished second in the General Excellence category.

NWT News/North took the top spot in General Excellence for its circulation class as well as Best Editorial Page, Best Front Page, Best News Story (Elizabeth McMillan) and Best Feature Story (Elizabeth McMillan).

Nunavut News/North won top spot for Best Special Section, Best Ad Design, was second for Best Local Editorial (Jennifer Geens) and was third for Best Local Cartoon (Norm Muffitt).

Yellowknifer was first for Outstanding Columnist (Walt Humphries) and Best Business Writing (Guy Quenneville) and third for Best News Story (Andrew Livingstone) and Best Spot News Photo (Cameron Ginn).

Kivalliq News was best in its class for Best Special Section and was third for Best Local Editorial (Darrell Greer).