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Yk's big moment with royalty Heather Lange Northern News Services Published Friday, July 8, 2011
Some 3,000 people were estimated to have gathered along Veteran's Memorial Boulevard and sit in Somba K'e Civic Plaza to greet the couple. "I'm never going to wash my hands," said Zoe Clark of the Sparks, a branch of the Girl Guides of Canada, after shaking hands with the royals. Robert Price-Lewis, who is originally from Great Britain, told Yellowknifer he was fortunate enough to snag a seat just 20 feet from the couple. He stated by e-mail that "it would have been a crime punishable by the removal of all Earl Grey and orange pekoe" if he had missed his chance to see them. "God save the North," he exclaimed. City councillor Bob Brooks said his daughter Shannon bought the couple a northern lights card and a souvenir spoon. The couple walked by her as they left the stage at Somba K'e Civic Plaza. According to Brooks, Prince William approached to shake Shannon's hand, at which time she handed him the card and said, "Welcome to Yellowknife." The prince asked, "What is this?" Shannon replied, "It's a thank you gift for coming all the way to Yellowknife for a visit." "Oh, you don't have to thank me for that," the prince replied. Catherine Middleton soon followed and also shook Shannon's hand. Shannon said, "You are very beautiful." Katherine thanked her and the couple moved on. After greeting the public at Somba K'e Plaza and a reception at the legislative assembly, the couple flew in an Air Tindi Twin Otter to Blachford Lake Lodge for a Canadian Rangers demonstration, and to learn more about aboriginal culture and education through the Dechinta Bush University Centre for Research and Learning. There they were greeted by Peter MacKay, minister of Defence, and federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who accompanied them during the Canadian Rangers demonstration. They viewed a map of the vast area that the Canadian Rangers patrol on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces and then viewed a weapons and communications display with ranger Warren Gibb of Hay River. Gibb said Prince William showed a lot of interest in his rifle. "The duke was impressed we were still using the old .303 British infantry (rifle). My weapon is a 1954 model so it is quite old," said Gibb. He said he thought it was important for the royals to visit the North. "One of our main missions is the Arctic sovereignty of Canada, so I think it is highly important," said Gibb. "Not only to all Canadians but to those people who want to know about Canada and this land we live in up in the territories, they need to see that." Next up was a tour of Dechinta led by Erin Freeland-Ballyntyne, a board director and one of the driving forces behind getting Dechinta started last year. The couple witnessed an elder skin a caribou in preparation for drying and also tasted some dry fish. After the demonstration of how the Dene tan a moose hide, Melaw Nakehk'o, a moose hide tanning instructor, said the couple seemed very interested in the happenings at Dechinta. "They really have great passion for the environment and a passion for education and so they really took a lot from what we had here and they really enjoyed it out here," said Nakehk'o. A campfire followed with Dechinta students and teachers and then lastly, a canoe trip out to an isolated island on Blachford Lake for some alone time for the couple. The royal couple departed the morning of July 6, bound for a quick stop to boost the morale of the forest fire-stricken town of Slave Lake, Alta., and then to Calgary for the last leg of the royal tour in Canada.
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