Yellowknife welcomes first family of Syrian refugees

A group of Northernersgathered atYellowknife's city hall on Fridayto welcome a family of six Syrian refugees who are settling in the capitalunder the currentsponsorshipprogram.

The federal government matched thefamily with a sponsorship group of Yellowknife citizens last January.

• Yellowknife group approved to sponsor family of Syrian refugees

"[We] are seeking a much better life over here," said Mustafa, who asked that his family's last name not be used,through a translator at a press conference held Friday afternoon at City Hall.

Mustafa, his wife and four young children arrived in YellowknifeThursday, after making the long journey from Beirut, where they've been living since they fled Syria in 2012.

"[We] are focusing on the future of [our] kids because in Lebanon there was no future at all," he said.

Mustafa added that hisfour young children "are all excited about going to school," and are looking forward to playing "football [soccer],"the family's favourite sport.

As for the cold northern weather, the family spent Friday afternoon shopping for winter gear and getting settled in a new apartment the sponsorship group has been outfitting since January.

• On mobile? Watch video of the family arriving at Yellowknife City Hall Friday