Inuit leaders talk impact of mining at Iqaluit gathering
Nunavut Mining Symposium runs until Thursday; trade show open to the public on final day
From left, Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. vice-president Paul Irngaut, Kivalliq Inuit Association chief operating officer Gabe Karlik and former Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson discuss the impact of mining on Nunavut Inuit at the Nunavut Mining Symposium. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Leaders from the three regional Inuit organizations in Nunavut came together Tuesday to discuss mining and its impact on the territory.
The session was part of the annual Nunavut Mining Symposium, which opened April 22 and runs until April 25 at the Aqsarniit hotel in Iqaluit.
The panel, moderated by former Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson, included Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. vice-president Paul Irngaut, Qikiqtani Inuit Association president Olayuk Akesuk and Kivalliq Inuit Association chief operating officer Gabe Karlik.
Royalties from mining as well as the importance of training and education for work in mines were among the topics touched on during the session.
Akesuk said royalties QIA gains from mining contribute to its legacy fund, which provides cultural programming for Inuit in the Qikiqtani region.
The intention is to also use that funding for infrastructure, employment and training for mining jobs.
“All these things are important for us,” Akesuk said.
Both Irngaut and Karlik addressed training and education for jobs in mining.
“Training and employment in the mines has been the biggest impact,” Irngaut said of Nunavut’s mining industry.
But on top of the training and education workers receive, retention of Inuit employees at the mines is also vital, he said.
Irngaut said another important aspect of mining in Nunavut is that companies use local Inuit-owned or operated small businesses to provide goods and services.
“That needs to happen,” he said.
Karlik said while education for Inuit to work in mines is important, it should also extend to other employment such as work in the trades.
The mining symposium continues Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions will include updates on the Nunavut Land Use Plan and on mining projects in the territory.
Also, there will be a trade show held at mining symposium that is open to the public on Thursday.
No one will argue about the lack of leadership in Nunavut, unless one debates how to be the first to the trough, how to ensure the longest time spent there, or how to enjoy the largest amount. Otherwise leadership is code for ‘on the take’ or ‘on the make’
Third world doped on welfare.
NTI is not one of the Regional Inuit Associations. Appears Kitikmeot Inuit Association was absent. Am I missing something here?
Interesting that the Kitikmeot Inuit Association seemingly has no role in this years mining symposium. No staff or elected representatives are included in any of the panels or sessions as speakers. Are they even attending? Have they abandoned mining? What about the mining friendly road they want to build? I’d go to their website to check for updates, but it doesn’t seem to be active. What a joke of an organization. The Kitikmeot deserves so much better representation.
Lots of empty seats who were they talking to ?? 🤣
Each other…
One thing that I have not seen our leaders discuss te is socio-economic impact mining is having on our communities.
There are many pros and cons, such as lower unemployment rates, better food security, etc, and the con’s well, increased alcohol and drug abuse, increase in police call out, high domestic violence rates etc
You ever notice that no one ever raises those concerns whenever literally everyone else announces there will be more jobs in a community?
Announcement – “Parks Canada will be hiring local park monitors and guides from this region.”
Absolutely No One – “But what about the increase in drinking and drug use that could result?”
Can we just mine bitcoin in seacans instead ?