Pond Inlet to refuse cruise visits after Parks Canada takes over cultural centre
Federal government signed agreement with territorial government over use of building in May
The GN signed an agreement with Parks Canada in May to take over Pond Inlet’s visitor’s centre, a building that had been used as a “hub” for cruise ship services and tourists, according to hamlet leaders. (Photo courtesy of Dave Stockley)
Pond Inlet’s hamlet council has voted not to host cruise ship visits next year after Parks Canada took over a community hub local artisans and staff use to serve tourists.
“It felt like we were getting kicked out,” said Dave Stockley, the hamlet’s chief administrative officer, in an interview last week that also included deputy Mayor Joshua Idlout.
Parks Canada started using the Nattinak Visitors Centre in mid-July, Stockley said, in an agreement with the territorial government, which owns the building.
The move has disrupted critical community operations and displaced two hamlet employees.
“We were all shocked,” said Idlout about how the deal went down.
Nattinak Visitors Centre serves as a cultural hub in Pond Inlet and the operational base for the hamlet’s growing business of catering to cruise ship visitors.
Stockley said local artisans set up shop in the centre during cruise season to sell their carvings to tourists. Small businesses will sometimes work out of the space as well, especially during the cruise season.
After months of negotiations over use of the centre, hamlet council voted Dec. 2 to “disengage” from the management of the cruise ship tours in 2025, according to a motion provided to Nunatsiaq News from the hamlet.
“Cruise ships will no longer be able to stop at Pond Inlet,” said Stockley, estimating the loss of cruise visitors will amount to about $500,000 in lost revenue.
Parks staff signed a memorandum of understanding on May 1 with the Government of Nunavut to utilize office space within the Nattinak centre, said Margaret Friesen, a spokesperson for Parks Canada, Dec. 5 in an email.
“Parks Canada has been sharing this space with hamlet employees during cruise ship season. This collaboration has increased the centre’s operating hours and provides further opportunities for hamlet members and visitors to enjoy the facilities and community programming,” she said.
Stockley refuted this, saying the hamlet’s economic development officer is displaced and the building’s internet connection is disconnected.
The Government of Nunavut offered revised terms under a new memorandum of understanding in August that would allow Parks Canada and the hamlet to share the facility, but the hamlet rejected those terms, Stockley said.
Certain points, such as use of an entrance taken over by Parks Canada, remains unresolved.
The hamlet has made repeated requests to the territorial government for an explanation of Parks Canada’s occupation of the facility, Stockley said.
The hamlet is seeking:
- a clear explanation of the decision-making process behind Parks Canada’s move into the centre;
- a plan to address displaced employees and essential operations;
- and a commitment to return the centre’s operation to the hamlet or that an equivalent facility be located to “mitigate the financial and cultural losses.”
“I hope we fix this soon or it is going to be a big loss for the community,” Idlout said.
The building is owned by Nunavut’s Department of Economic Development and Transportation and operated by the Department of Community and Government Services.
Nunatsiaq News reached out to the Department of Community and Government Services for comment and was redirected on Dec. 6 to the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation did not respond by press time.
Why did the Hamlet not agree to the terms that would allow them to continue using the facility?
sounds like the hamlet wants total control of the building. even though they do not own the building. i’m wondering, was the hamlet paying rent? if not, then they have no say.
The hamlet most definitely has a say. All of the GN and fed properties within the hamlet are for the benefit of the hamlet.
There must be more to this. Because by what is in this article (I have no other knowledge, but this is a news outlet) it looks like the Hamlet is over reacting. why would that hamlet say NO to cruises. If anything they should say yes to more. Prove to the GN and Parks Canada that they have to be part of this revenue source.
Hamlet move a shed down to the beach and sell stuff out of it.
Also just send all the tourists to the GN and Parks building to use their washrooms.
Is there not a community hall in the community?
Perhaps more info on the situation could be provided. Like why this and only this building is important for cruise ships? I get finding an office for the displaces Hamlet workers sucks but no reason to cancel the ships for this.
Overreacting and pettiness? Shocking in Nunavut, I say! Oh my. Who would dare?
The Hamlet of Pond Inlet does not have the power to prevent cruise ships from stopping or landing passengers in the community (the harbour belongs to EDT, btw).
The hamlet CAN choose not to put on their usual dog and pony show and deprive the community of $500,000, but I don’t see how the presence of a couple of Parks Canada employees is forcing the hamlet to do that.
That building is operated by CGS in the same way the elementary school and the health centre are operated by CGS. And Parks Canada has had a presence in the building for more than 20 years.
This looks like another scheme by Pond Inlet’s SAO to squeeze more money out of the GN.
I think we both know how that situation unfolded. I’m sure you’re already familiar with what happened given everything that’s happened. I’m sure you get where I’m coming from. I don’t need to go into too much detail—you know the rest.
Obviously we don’t, enlighten us!
sometimes, i wish we could click the thumbs up more than once. well said “Newsflash”
that building is used for visits, it is used to promote our culture. but how does it mean losing that much money a year? are the cruise ships allowed to come for free now? i live up here, that means alot of money not given to the people of pond inlet. fishy story. so who will make that money now and hire people to work? so the hamlet does not want that money for the community? it seems like the hamlet decided to not help the community and the people who want to work part time and not full time.
The Cruise ships pay the Hamlet per every passanger that arrives in exchange for tourism services.
If the Hamlet doesn’t manage and give those services then the ships don’t have a central place to pay for those services.
On the surface, this seems like a very dumb political decision, but it is doubtful that Hamlet can refuse access to the cruise ships.
The artists, etc., still appear to have access to the building.
However, if the cruise lines see this article and feel unwelcome, they may choose to drop Pond Inlet from their Itinerary.
And that would be a shame.
Seems like the council is having a control issue at the expense of their community.
It sounds like the Nattinnak Centre has played a central role in the community of Pond Inlet, serving as a hub for cultural preservation, education, and intergenerational connection for over two decades. The Hamlet’s dedication to maintaining the building, offering diverse programming, and hosting events demonstrates its importance to local residents.
Your observation about Parks Canada’s limited involvement until recently highlights a significant shift. If the transition to Parks Canada’s management was made without extensive community consultation or transparency, this might be a point of concern for residents who value the Centre’s history and its role in the community. It’s clear the Centre has been more than just a venue for cruise ship visitors—it’s a vital cultural and social resource. Is Parks Canada going to run the library situated in the building? Rumoured it’s closing too.
A typical move by the lowest level of gov’t to try and bully its way into matters they don’t control. This has happened before with the Mary River Project. No one ever wins when this loud mouthpiece for Mittimatalik gets its way. It’s a lose-lose-lose situation. Let’a hope the artisans will find another way to sell their wares. They don’t need the Hamlet to do that as tourists will still go to Mittimatalik whether the CAO or the Hamlet Council says otherwise. C’mon Pond residents – stand up against Council for once and assert your wants. Not those of the elected few nor the CAO.
Wait, Pond Inlet is making a stand that they themselves say will cost Pond Inlet and its residents money? So they’re holding themselves hostage?
That’s not the way it’s supposed to work outside of film comedies.
Individual departments do not own buildings. They are all Department of Community and Government Services.
That might be technically true, but for most intents and purposes it’s irrelevant. CGS’s powers over GN buildings are narrowly defined, and assuming the activities don’t represent a fire code violation and don’t harm the asset, CGS doesn’t interfere.
Put up some tents, get tables. Problem solved.
Why lost control on a Stolen Land?
Is it a stolen building too?
A peeing match with Dave Stockley?
Colour me shocked and stupefied, I bet nobody outside the GN seen it coming
Relax man, read the occupancy agreement, GN owns it, not the Hamlet.
The issue is, to my understanding, that Parks will not only take over the library/cultural center, but they’re kicking all the programs out as well. Elder’s Tea? Done. Sewing classes? Done. Hey, wanted to get a book for your kids? Better wait till winter.
Something also glossed over in the article is the fact that Parks already has a building in town, with a decent cultural space as well. It’s right by the water next to the RCMP detachment. Why do they need to take over the library as well?
Read the article:
“Parks Canada has been sharing this space with hamlet employees during cruise ship season. This collaboration has increased the centre’s operating hours and provides further opportunities for hamlet members and visitors to enjoy the facilities and community programming,” she said.
And where does the library come into this? Belongs to Culture & Heritage and the only suggestion that it’s threatened is a couple of half-baked comments.
RR, what she said is refuted, hence the news story. Keep baking, you’re comment not even half baked.
this has been going on for some time now. you are only going by this news article. there’s a longer story involved that alot of people are unaware of.