‘Proud’ Canadian ‘flagpole’ says investing in each other makes Canada stronger
Nunavut Economic Development Minister David Akeeagok kicks off Aqsarniit trade show in Ottawa
David Akeeagok, Nunavut’s economic development and transportation minister, says Canadian businesses investing in each other will make a stronger country. He spoke Monday night at the Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference taking place this week in Ottawa. (Photo by Corey Larocque)
With Canadian pride running high in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of annexing Canada, Nunavut’s economic development and transportation minister says he’s proud to be a “flagpole” the Canadian government planted in the Arctic to support its claim of Arctic sovereignty.
“I’m one of the proudest Canadian flagpoles that we can be,” David Akeeagok said Monday night in a speech kicking off the Aqsarniit Trade show and Conference in Ottawa.
Akeeagok, who grew up in Grise Fiord, said he’s the son of Inuit who were relocated to Canada’s northernmost community. Adults who were moved there and to Resolute Bay “suffered immensely,” he said, but their children — the second generation — were “richer” and “more knowledgeable” for growing up there.
Aqsarniit is a four-day business conference that includes sessions on using digital tools to develop an Inuit workforce, improving telecommunications connectivity in the North, and addressing housing challenges.
Akeeagok said in his speech it’s important for Canadians to be proud and stick together.
“Let’s invest in each other and build it so we are much stronger as a country,” he said.
The minister also addressed Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Canada and possibly even take over the country.
“These past few months, especially this month, it’s been very trying as Canadians as we’ve been thought of as more a resource-rich land that can be taken, and taken for granted [by] our southern [neighbours].”
He pointed out that Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who was in the audience, had been in Washington, D.C. last week with other heads of provincial and territorial governments, making the case to American officials for free trade between Canada and the United States.
Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st American state “is not just a joke,” David Akeeagok said.
Calling the opportunities in front of northern businesses “vast,” he encouraged the trade show crowd to spend the week discussing entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment and natural resource development.
“We can foster sustainable growth while ensuring development remains rooted in Inuit values and priorities,” he said.
The Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference is jointly organized by the Baffin Region Chamber of Commerce and Makivvik, the Inuit rights-holding organization in Nunavik.
The two organizations came together last year to organize an event to replace the Northern Lights trade show, which traditionally ran every other year since 2008 in Ottawa or Montreal.
Northern Lights was cancelled last year over a dispute between the Baffin business organization and its long-standing partner, the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce. They disagreed over the involvement of the NunatuKavut Community Council, a group in Labrador that claims to be Inuit but is not recognized by other Inuit organizations.
Akeeagok said it was “iffy” whether there would even be a trade show this year.
Wearing a sealskin vest he told the crowd his wife made, Akeeagok encouraged trade show visitors to open their wallets and support the Inuit artists whose work will be on display and for sale. A marketplace inside the Rogers Centre in downtown Ottawa, where the trade is taking place, is part of the event.
“How beautiful a sealskin can turn into something that makes us look really good,” he said.
Remember every Canada Day for the last few years is protested? How things are changing. Before this trade war you would never know from our politicians that Nunavut is part of Canada
The country has been shamed and blamed for so long it’s no wonder we can’t muster the energy to save it. Give it to the Americans for all I care.
Move to the U.S. problem solved. 😄
Funny.
Just sitting ‘n thinkin’…
In residential Skool we stood up to The Union Jack and sang,(tried 🤣) “God save The Queen” each morning.
Later on…we were taught to stand up to the Maple Leaf flag and try to sing “Oh Canada. Our Home and Native land….”
Now… do I learn the “Star Spangled Banner”? I already remember most of it from watching Stanley Cup finals and it’s playing/sang during play offs for the last 40(?) years?
Well no worries there. You will still be singing our Canadian Anthem and so will the USA. Because we’re able to adopt the poor baby and assume their debt. Welcome! To the United States of Canada!
What is Akeeagok talking about being taken advantage of by southern neighbours?
Back in 2010, when President Who of China, visited Canada, with the view they control the arctic resources.
Nunavut is toast if China takes control of the Arctic.
Canada allows China’s military to train in Canada, to have police stations, and cartels across Canada as if an unrestricted warfare is happening in front of our eyes.
Trump, who is a student of military history. Understands Canada is infiltrated to the core by the CCP. Why he wants the CCP cartels kicked out of Canada to dry up the billions of laundered money, drug manufacturing and world exporting.
Canada exports 83% of meth/fentanyl to Australia.
If believe Nato counties will come to Canada’s rescue, don’t count on it when 8 EU countries like Canada don’t pay their countries Nato fees. And are shoe steps away from becoming communist countries themselves.
Greenland, with Iceland’s help, will halt military ships using northern sea lanes to the south. And the Panama cannel stops the enemy ship’s ease of movement. While Canada completes the north, west, east sea and land coverage.
Instead of 51st state, it’s 4states. 1st. All western provinces and 3 Territories, 2nd. Ontario, 3rd. Québec and 4th. Eastern Provinces.
Minor point, but there is no ‘fee’ that is paid to NATO – it is just a self commitment to defense spending
A “student of military history”? Donald Trump isn’t a student of anything, let alone military history. Like nearly everything that comes out of his mouth, his talk of seizing Canada and Greenland brings nothing but shame upon the United States.
To imply that Trump knows anything academic or historical is a joke. His only interest is fame and money. He sees minerals and the Northwest Passage as something to control. He’s doing a good job of dumbing up his followers.
And the award for the most uneducated, unhinged tripe to have ever been posted on Nunatsiaq goes to…
I didnt know government invest in banks for higher income or is that for hiring or whats the word invest means for inuit?
Nunavut being the poorest in Canada existing as beggar, why do we do this fling every year? Why no every two years??? I guess the convention Center needs $$$ and hotels near and adjacent too SC. This fling is elitist and does nothing for Nunavut in general except to spent $$$ where $$$ is and assist few craftspeople. So what is the return to Nunavut as result of this gathering. Waste not only to GN but too other ORGS who live on hands outs.
It’s a glorified Craft Fair with nightly entertainment.
David , how about investing in small business development , nothing in decades in Nunavut l, small business is dying because of the rules, regulations, and no investment or help. All our dollars are going south, with these so called 100 percent joint venture company’s, and very little stays north to help build a economy,actions speak stronger
David, look for companies with strong growth that are leaders in their field. Don’t waste your time gambling on small businesses.
Warren, you sound like a communist, small business is the backbone of all democratic worlds and pays more taxes than these huge corporations, Bell, Rogers, Grocery Chains, dump comment .
Small businesses are great, but risky investments. Own a few good ones, but if you want assurance your capital will grow put the bulk of your money into proven winners with solid growth and a wide moat (think Amazon).
I have no idea how you gleaned ‘communist’ from that, but it’s typical of uneducated dimwits on social media to throw around words they have no clue about.
Warren, did I strike a nerve, invest in Amazon you are truly a very educated person, but like I said communist big business and corporations is their a difference, theses corporations that you invest in snuff out small business , and leave nothing. Stay off this page southerner
“Did I strike a nerve”
Funny, the only thing that ‘strikes me’ is that eliciting a ‘reaction’ is about the only move you know how to make.
Funnier: “stay off this page.” Or… what are you going to do? I think the answer is obvious, you’ll do what you probably spent most of today doing, absolutely nothing.
Warren your losing it, I can do this all day, big corporation lover, and you should embrace small business and abandon your love for the communist
You should look up communism before using it. If you have all day, start there.
Every time a mining company wants to invest, Nunavut makes it as difficult as possible. Mary River located hundreds of miles away from the nearest settlement al of a sudden sudden is sacred territory despite nobody ever even hunting there. Nothing lives there except moss and mosquitos. As soon a a company is interested all the hand bringing begins and doesn’t end until stuffed full of cash.