Grueling Northern tour ends in Iceland

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Under a clear, bright blue sky, with Icelandic and Canadian flags flying in the wind, the president of Iceland, Olafur Grimsson, greeted Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband John Ralston Saul in front of Bessastadir, the Icelandic president’s official residence.

A semi-circle of tow-headed children waved tiny Icelandic and Canadian flags, as a brass band played the two countries’ national anthems.

In the background was the typical Icelandic view of treeless countryside and snow-covered mountains.

This moment was likewise typical of the warm welcome that Canadians received during the final leg of the circumpolar state visit, which began on Sept. 22 in Russia and ended this week in Iceland after five days in this country.

Over the three weeks Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq spent on the state visit, he estimated he averaged three speeches a day.

In Iceland, Irniq spoke directly to government officials about forging closer ties between Canada’s North and Iceland.

“This country looks so much like Nunavut. You could be in Pond Inlet. I’d like to see more economic and social contacts,” Irniq said.

Irniq also drum-danced on several occasions, and his photograph appeared on the cover of several newspapers, along with information about Nunavut.

In Reykjavik, Irniq unveiled an inuksuk in front of the Canadian embassy.

In Rovaniemi, Finland, at the opening of the Isumavut art show featuring Cape Dorset prints and carvings, Irniq stepped up to local journalists, so he could tell them more about Inuit art and culture.

The state visit’s pace was grueling, starting by 9 a.m., finishing near midnight, and involving, in one day, a discussion, formal lunch, a plane ride, another discussion, a tour, banquet and yet another plane ride.

“We have been too much in a hurry,” said Irniq. “But, when you think about it, when people come to the North for a visit, it’s the same thing.”

According to Canada’s Arctic ambassador, Mary May Simon, Canadian government trips abroad generally involve much less travel and fewer ceremonial events.

Iceland welcomed the Canadian delegation with a state dinner at its Perlan (The Pearl) restaurant. The restaurant, a landmark due to its igloo-shaped glass roof, is built on top of a geo-thermally heated water supply station which heats much of the city.

Halldór Asgrímsson, Iceland’s acting prime minister and foreign affairs minister, said Canada’s state visit to Iceland was a “very important” gesture that may ultimately lead to the renewal of an air traffic connection between the two countries.

The direct service between Reykjavik and Halifax collapsed after the Sept. 11 disaster, although Icelandair, the country’s national airline, has more air connections to North America than Sweden, Finland and Denmark combined.

Canada is one of only 12 countries that has an embassy in Reykjavik, the capital of the island nation of 280,000.

Iceland, which does not belong to the European Union, works closely with Canada on many issues, and is now the chair of the Arctic Council.

Icelanders are split on joining the EU. Membership would lower the island’s high food prices, but it might reduce local control over land and sea resources.

During the visit Canadians discussed, among other subjects, fisheries and new sources of non-polluting power, including hydrogen-fuelled buses.