Bulldozers roar in Nanisivik as residents, ministers, discuss mine’s fate

SARA MINOGUE

They didn’t have all the answers people were hoping for, but Arctic Bay was pleased to welcome two cabinet ministers and Premier Paul Okalik for a final discussion on the fate of Nanisivik.

Niore Iqalukjuaq, the mayor of Arctic Bay, also doubles as the tenant relations officer for the local housing authority, which currently has “at least” 52 people on the waiting list for new housing.

“Some of the people felt that it was a little late for government officials to come up after most of the units have been demolished,” Iqalukjuak said.

At the public meeting, however, residents heard about the state of the housing that is being destroyed at Nanisivik, from local people who are working on the clean-up project.

“When they are demolishing the units, they can notice a big cloud, and lots of dust coming from the units,” Iqalukjuak said. “They felt that based on their observations, the buildings are really contaminated, which, in more ways than one, helps the local people understand a little better.”

Residents also raised questions about the contamination of wildlife. Cod and sculpin from waters near Nanisivik were sent for testing last summer, yet Iqalukjuaq says he has yet to hear the results. Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk was not able to attend the meeting.

Only two pieces of good news came out of the meeting.

Arctic Bay, Okalik told residents, will have a new airport within the next four years.

“Right now we have to work with the community and locate where they would like to see an airport, where it can be done,” Okalik told Nunatsiaq News.

Currently, Arctic Bay relies on the airport at Nanisivik. The Government of Nunavut plans to install a generator in the airport terminal when Breakwater cuts off the electricity to the terminal in March.

The new airstrip, however, may not support the jet service they have come to rely on.

After listening to local residents, the government also agreed to look into the feasibility of salvaging plywood and two-by-fours that could be used to build shacks or shelters on the land.

The Nanisivik town site will be completely demolished by the end of the summer.