INUVIK
This was one massive birthday party.

Staff-Sgt. Scott Young, the interim detachment commander for the RCMP in Inuvik, led his men up Mackenzie Road in the Canada Day parade July 1. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Hundreds of Inuvik residents turned out to mark Canada's 147th birthday. "I'm proud to be Canadian, and I wish every day could be Canada Day so we could all be happy like this," said Clarice Rodgers, expressing her feeling oward the occassion.

It was a beautiful day to hold the event, with temperatures hovering around 25 C under a blazing cerulean sky. A consistent breeze helped to keep the heat and the insects somewhat at bay as well.

This year, for the first time, all the events were held in Chief Jim Koe Park. Previously, the parade had wound its way up Mackenzie Road to the park before circling around to the Royal Canadian Legion building on Veteran's Way to hold the festivities.

The parade route remained the same, although it seemed larger than usual, and the park soon filled up with people listening to the remarks of the dignitaries as the flag was raised.

The barbecue and games for the children soon followed, with the promise of a jigging contest in the evening. That contest had been postponed from last week's Aboriginal Day festivities due to rain.

"This is really good," said Karla DeBastien, decked out in a tall Canada top hat.

Her son, Nicholas Kuptana, slurped from a Canada glass as she spoke, sporting a horned Canada viking hat.

Duane DeBastien, also adorned with some uniquely Canadian headwear, said he had purchased the memorabilia during a visit to Yellowknife recently.

"You can't get this stuff around here," he said with a grin.

"You have to think about the things we have available to us, and why we have it available," Mayor Floyd Roland said during his address. "We can practice our own religion, respect others, and the differences we all represent, and respect the cultures of all our people.

"Whether we were born here, raised here, or just visiting, I want to have you think today about what it means to be Canadian, on what makes us a part of this country and what still sets us apart. I believe all of us are happy that we can share this day together."

Inuvik-Boot Lake MLA Alfred Moses said "Canadians are great in that we celebrate the diversity of this place we call home here in Inuvik.

"If you just look around, you'll see we have people from all different cultures, and it's time to celebrate that. So be good to your fellow man and happy birthday, Canada!"