by John Agnew
Northern News Services

PELLY BAY (Aug 11/97) - When the subject turns to second careers, teaching kayaking in Pelly Bay doesn't usually come up, but for Victoria Jason it was a perfect fit.

Jason, the Winnipeg-based author of Kabloona in a Yellow Kayak, has extensive experience travelling in the North.

She visited Pelly Bay during a kayak trip from Gjoa Haven to Resolute. The hamlet struck her as the ideal place to develop an arctic adventure business.

Pelly Bay has the natural advantages of stunning scenery, plenty of bays and islands to provide shelter from extreme conditions, proximity to archeological sites, abundant wildlife and a willing population.

Michael Hart, general manager of the Koomiut Co-op in Pelly Bay, was quick to see the opportunity and organized the purchase of four sea kayaks for the use of the community.

With the boats in hand, Jason, has started the first stage of her plan, which is to re-introduce kayaking to the people of Pelly Bay. "We're bringing traditional skills to the surface," says Jason, "People seem to be excited."

Indeed, as she strolls through the hamlet Jason is peppered with questions about the boats by eager residents.

Terry Sieffert, a partner in T&S Consulting in Cambridge Bay, shares the enthusiasm. "I believe it can work," he says.

Sieffert is a specialist in business development and is writing the business plan and funding proposal for the project.

This summer will be spent getting people in Pelly Bay comfortable with kayaks.

Next summer comes the development of a base camp near the hamlet that will provide amenities such as sleeping quarters and a dining hall. There will also be some test tours aimed at getting some constructive criticism. Says Jason, "We want to see how things work."

If everything goes well the fall of 1998 will see the launch of a marketing campaign aimed at adventure tour operators in the South and around the world.

By the summer of 1999 the business will be in full swing.

Already enthusiasm is building. According to Sieffert, "Southern outfitters are excited."

The enthusiasm isn't limited to southern outfitters either. "The Co-op board of directors is behind the project, the community is behind the project," says Sieffert. He continues, "We are trying to create jobs and excitement in the community."

The plan seems to be working. As Victoria Jason pulls up to shore after an afternoon spent kayaking on Pelly Bay, she is greeted by an elder returning from a fishing trip.

"I remember those," he says, eyeing the kayak. "You'll have to come and give it a try," she replies.

Together, the kabloona in the yellow kayak and the Inuk in the powerboat are charting the future of Pelly Bay.