Nunavimmiut tour Greenland

IQALUIT — For more than 30 years southern Greenlanders have turned seal pelts into sale items, creating jobs and cash for the local economy.

That experience was the focus of a visit by Nunavummiut last month to the Greenlandic communities of Narsaq and Qaqortoq.

“It gives us something to strive for,” said Johnny Adams, chairman of the Kativik Regional Government. “It’s always good to compare yourself to other regions.”

The two communities on the tour are similar in size to Kuujjuaq, Nunavik’s administrative centre. Narsaq, population 2,000, is South Greenland’s industrial centre, with a fish plant, slaughterhouse, fur factory and ceramics shop.

Qaqortoq, population 3,500, has been a seafaring hub since it was founded in 1775. The community is also home to the Great Greenland-Kalaalit Nunaata Ammerivia tannery.

The 29 delegates on the trip included board members from the Katutjiniq economic development association, the Kativik Regional Government, Makivik Corp. and the Nunavik Tourism Association.

While in Greenland, the Nunavimmiut saw furs being prepared and sewn at two fur factories. They also joined the midsummer celebrations June 21 in Narsaq, where Nunavik musicians Eva Deer and Jusipi Kileutak and throatsingers Evie Mark and Akinisie Sivuaraapik entertained local residents.