A former Inuvik couple from Jacksonville, Florida officially became Canadians last month, nearly 11 years to the day they moved to the community.

鈥淚t's exciting,鈥� said Larry Noland, who now lives in Aklavik with his wife Pam.

He is the pastor there and she is the co-ordinator of the community's greenhouse.

The couple earned their citizenship during a swearing-in ceremony at the NWT legislative assembly in Yellowknife on Aug. 21.

The Nolands were two of more than 40 NWT residents from 18 different countries who sang the national anthem and recited an oath to become Canadian citizens that day.

While their family members couldn't attend the event, they did have friends from the NWT capital who came out to show their support, Larry said.

鈥淚t just feels very good to have that chapter closed,鈥� said Pam, who explained she's excited about the fact she won't have to fill out any more paperwork. 鈥淚t's just done and that feels really good.鈥�

The Nolands moved to Inuvik from Florida on Aug. 31, 2006.

Larry served as the assistant pastor at the First Bible Baptist Church while Pam provided him with support in working with youth.

鈥淲e wanted to go where there was a real need,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e had met some people who had been very involved in the ministry here in the '70s and '80s and there was just such a need for people to come North.鈥�

When the ice road opened that fall, the couple began travelling back and forth between Inuvik and Aklavik.

There was no pastor in the community and Larry decided to start holding services.

By the spring of 2007, he and his family had moved there full-time.

While his two sons are married now and live outside Canada, his daughter visits Aklavik when she's not away at university.

Not all ministers or pastors are keen on moving to the North, said Larry.

But the Nolands enjoy it.

鈥淭hat was a desire of ours, to go to more of the remote places,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t's a more traditional life.鈥�

Larry has been invited to go fishing and hunting and the couple now owns their own home there.

He and Pam have also gotten involved in the community.

His wife and daughter have tried out sewing and beading and he now serves as the community's fire chief.

鈥淲e enjoy the lifestyle. We enjoy living there,鈥� he said, although Pam added with a laugh that it's not the weather that has them hooked on life in the North.

鈥淭he ministry really is what keeps you there,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing involved with your people.鈥�