[Photo: From Left to Right – Kevin MacDonald (Food Service Manager), AWG mascot Kechi, Jim Tyndall (General Merchandise Manager), Amy Tyndall (Store Manager)]

An owl got inside the Fort Smith Northern Store on February 22, but nobody panicked.

In fact, customers and employees alike were thrilled to get a surprise visit from the famous snowy owl, “Kechi”, who is the official mascot for the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games. Kechi has been making special appearances around Fort Smith and Hay River in anticipation of the Games, which the two communities will host jointly from March 18 – 24.

The North West Company is proud to be a sponsor of the Arctic Winter Games, which has been an annual event in the circumpolar North since 1969.

 “This event is going to more than double our current population in Fort Smith, and will give us a great opportunity to meet new people and leave a positive lasting impression of The North West Company,” says Amy Tyndall, Fort Smith Northern Store manager. “Our involvement also shows we are happy to support community events.”