Canada

This cold morning, I had the pleasure of meeting the Canadian Governor General Julie Payette. She came to Inuvik, (NWT) for the opening the new highway between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway is a road in Canada’s Northwest Territories. It is the first all weather road to Canada’s Arctic Coast. The road begins at the end to the Dempster Highway in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and continues for 138 kilometres north toward Tuktoyaktuk, a coastal community on the Arctic Ocean. The Inuvik-Tuk Highway includes 8 bridges, and is a two lane gravel road. In April, 2017 the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk ice road closed for the last time. And all vehicle traffics between two communities will be by the new all weather road.

Julie Payette asked me some questions and was very interested in my experiences in Canada. She asked me where did you come from, and how do you feel in Inuvik? Julie came here for the ceremony and made promise to work with community. Bob Mcleod was also present in the ceremony (he is a current premier of the NWT), and he was addressing to the communities that this is an important day for the Western Arctic, for the Northwest territories, and for Canada. He said, “We are not going to waste time. We are paving the way to a bright future with opportunities for all Canadians.”

I was excited because it was first time I met with government official. Julie and I took a photo together. Unfortunately I have been never met with government officials in my country. I’m really lucky to seen her in Inuvik.