ULUKHAKTOK/HOLMAN
Drum dances performed by two of Ulukhaktok's drumming groups greeted passengers on the Crystal Serenity cruise ship when it arrived in Ulukhaktok on Aug. 26, said senior administrative officer Judi Wall.

Emily Kudlak examines a map of Ulukhaktok with a Crystal Serenity cruise ship passenger during a community visit on Aug. 27. - photo courtesy of Jackie Challis

Both the Ulukhaktok Western Drummers and Dancers and the Ulukhaktok Central Style Drummers and Dancers performed on the ship the evening of the ship's arrival.

The following morning, the first passengers began arriving on shore for self-guided tours of the community.

"They were greeted by locals and they were welcome to try some of our fresh bannock and there were a lot of locals just kind of milling around the shoreline welcoming them, greeting them, and then they were given a map and kind of briefed on the areas where to go," Wall said.

"We had people positioned at strategic points throughout the community to help answer questions or point people in the correct direction."

Craft demonstrations were held at the Ulukhaktok Arts Centre where passengers could watch the process of print making, carving and sewing before heading to the Community Hall where they could purchase items available through the centre.

The gym at Helen Kalvak School was also set up as a local artists market where residents could sell arts and crafts directly to passengers, Wall said.

Passengers also played golf at Ulukhaktok's golf course, the northernmost golf course in the world, went on hikes near the community and tried samples of Arctic char chowder.

Wall said she believes passengers will have great memories of their visit to Ulukhaktok.

"I think it went really well," she said.

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