Photo: Aglukkaq talks mining at Nunavut Mining Symposium

Leona Aglukkaq, Nunavut’s MP, opened the final day of the Nunavut Mining Symposium at Iqaluit’s Astro Theatre April 16 with what sounded like a campaign speech. After lauding her own efforts as chair for a number of organizations, including the Arctic Council, Aglukkaq said the symposium’s theme of “Unearth the Potential” applies equally to the potential of Nunavummiut. “By making sure we engage in communities, train people and hire locally, we will ensure that northerners benefit from the enormous development opportunities of the North,” Aglukkaq told an audience of about 40 people. Aglukkaq will chair the Arctic Council meeting in Iqaluit April 24, the last meeting before the U.S. takes over the rotating chair position. The mining symposium wraps up April 16 with an evening gala and awards ceremony. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)