Governor General begins Beaufort Delta tour

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean arrived in Inuvik, N.W.T., on Sunday, telling residents that she wants to observe northern life during her five-day visit in the Beaufort Delta.

"My eyes are wide open; my curiosity piqued. I can't wait to understand everything I see, everything I hear," Jean told about 150 people at a community gathering Sunday evening.

She then immersed herself in the evening's activities, dancing with others to the beat of Inuvialuit drummers. She even took part in the traditional blanket toss, being lifted in the air by people holding a blanket.

Jean arrived in Inuvik earlier in the day, surprising local dignitaries by showing up dressed in the red hooded sweaters worn by the Canadian Rangers.

"We saw this individual pop down the stairs in the Ranger's uniform when we were expecting the Governor General dressed in the usual regalia," Mayor Derek Lindsay said. "Well, it just didn't happen."

Jean then kicked off her first vice-regal trip to Inuvik — her fourth trip to Canada's North — by visiting the Western Arctic Regional Centre and the town's distinctive igloo-shaped Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church.

On Monday, Jean is scheduled to take part in a roundtable discussion at a new Gwich'in wellness camp, then meet with N.W.T. Premier Floyd Roland and local elders and leaders.

That evening, she will present the Governor General's Northern Medal to former premier Nellie Cournoyea in honour of her contributions to Canada's North.

Her tour, which includes a one-day trip to Tuktoyaktuk, ends Thursday.