When Gill Gracie first arrived in Northern Saskatchewan she wasn’t sure what she was getting herself into.

It was 1965, and Gracie had travelled from her native England to India, then to Regina and finally to La Ronge. After a journey like that, arriving in the north was a bit of a culture shock.

“It was fun, but it was rough,” Gracie remembered. “It was a frontier town at the time, so it was exciting.”

Despite her initial skepticism, Gracie fell in love with the region. She began working as a newspaper reporter, and in the early ‘90s, took the next step and began publishing her own magazine.

For 24 years, residents have been reading “Opportunity North,” which covers everything from business developments to cultural events across the region. Gracie is the heart and soul behind the production, but her efforts are built on her love for the north and its people.

“It’s got spectacular scenery and the people are so friendly,” she said. “I like their sense of humour and the way they approach life…. It’s a fun place to be.”

As part of her duties, Gracie frequently travels from one end of the north to the other. Whenever possible, she’ll hitch a plane ride to the most remote communities to report of events that don’t get a lot of coverage.

For the rest of this story, please see the March 23 online or print edition of the Daily Herald.