Will Addjub the reindeer make the cut for Inuvik's Santa Claus parade?

Today is the day herders will decide whether Addjub the reindeer is up to the job of participating in Inuvik's very first Santa Claus parade on Sunday.

Inuvik's Santa Claus parade will begin at Ingamo Hall at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Vince Sharpe, one of the parade organizers, says he's anxious to find out if the reindeer will make an appearance.

"The thing that excites me the most is having the reindeer," he said.

Our relationship is based on lichen.- Anna Johannson, reindeer trainer

Addjub is from a semi-domestic herd of roughly 3,000 animals on the tundra in the Mackenzie Delta. It's been in the area for nearly 80 years after being imported from Alaska. Addjub means "grandson" in Samiguela, the language of the Sami people in Arctic Lapland, who herd reindeer.

Anna Johannson, one of Addjub's trainers, says it looks like the animal is getting comfortable being around people.

"Our relationship is based on lichen," she said. "If I have a bowl of lichen, he is quite happy for me to pat his head."

But Johannson says they are still concerned about how Addjub will handle things like loose dogs and loud noises.

"I don't think he's ever heard the sound of a fire engine," Johannson said, adding that Addjub was in the wild just ten days ago

A decision on whether the reindeer will walk in the parade will be made later today.