A celebration of each other and the community in Fort Good Hope as couple ties the knot
CBC
The community hall in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., buzzed with activity, leading up to the weekend as the town prepared for a highly anticipated wedding.
Dylan Kakfwi and Mary Masuzumi have been together for more than a dozen years, and have three boys aged 12, 10 and 3.
Masuzumi said the wedding is a celebration of the hurdles the couple have endured, the goals they've accomplished, the lives they've lived, and of each other. It is also an uplifting event for the Sahtu community that is facing several challenges, she added.
“It’s mainly about me, Dylan and my boys,” said the bride. “But if we’re being honest it’s more for the community. For all the hurdles the Sahtu have gone through in the last while. We’re hoping that the celebration of a marriage will bring some happiness.”
Kakfwi said he’s looking forward to getting married to Masuzumi on Saturday.
“I’m here to support her goals and dreams,” Kakfwi said. “She’s been along for the ride with me for my career and everything. It’s time for her to enjoy this moment of her life.”
The bride was busy Thursday decorating the community hall ahead of the celebration.
“We’re not going to decorate the church because it’s already gorgeous enough, we’re just mostly focused on the hall,” Masuzumi said.
They had help from family and friends, with some coming from Fort Simpson to celebrate with the couple.
“When I knew that my girls from Fort Simpson took off, then reality kicked in," Masuzumi said. "I’m excited.”
Gracyn Tanche, one of those friends, said she is expecting a busy weekend, and little sleep.
The bride couldn’t say exactly how many people would be in attendance, but with family from Fort Good Hope and Deline also coming, her best guess was “a lot.”
The couple is looking forward to the future, sharing messages with each other amid the busy preparations.
The bride called Kakfwi someone she can count on, her “everything, he’s my best friend.”
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