Arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson 'comes to life' in Yellowknife

The museum in Yellowknife is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition by peering into the life of lead explorer VilhjalmurStefansson.

Stefansson was the first European to discovernearly 260,000 square kilometres of North America duringmorethan a decade travelling the Arctic and learning about the people who lived there.

His interaction with Inuit at the time is part of what fascinatesJamie Bastedo, an author and naturalist who haslived in Yellowknife for 30 years.

"He met the Arctic on its own terms," Bastedo said. "So in matters of food, clothing, shelter, travel and especially language he immersed himself as much as he could in the lives of the people around him."

Bastedo calls Stefansson a "larger-than-life, kind of Arctic hero."

After studying old interviews and lectures of Stefansson, Bastedo has learned that the explorer was extremely ambitious. He says that makes it possible for many people to relate to Stefanssonand his drive and journey through the Arctic.

"Here's a guy that was just so, so fixed on his goal of Arctic research and exploration, but I think in many ways he's a mirror for us," Bastedo said. "We as individuals have ambitions, and how is that expressed in our lives and decisions, and what sacrifices do we make in pursuing our own personal ambitions?"

Bastedo first playedStefansson 15 years ago when the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centrewas displaying artifacts from Stefansson's exploration.

Now, he says he's excited to beback inthe role.

"When I take my dog for a walk I'm listening to him [Stefansson], I'm reciting the script," Bastedo said. "As in any theatre, dwelling as much as you can on the character and knowing about his history," is very important.

Bastedo will be dressed as Stefannson at the museum today starting at 1 p.m. Asthe explorerhimselfhe'lltalkabout different points in Stafannson's life that are most intriguing for the whole family.

Bastedo will also be in Hay River, N.W.T., to take part in the same performance on Thursday.