Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jan 26/00) - Slowly, but surely the logistics of the legislative assembly's visit to Rankin Inlet next month are being conquered.

And, while the finalization of many events may be still incomplete, the picture is getting clearer.

Community liaison for the event, Sandy Kusugak, says many groups and organizations are trying to make use of the assembly's time in Rankin.

"Just as an example, representatives of the Nunavut Youth Abroad program want to give members a presentation to show what their program is all about," informs Kusugak.

"Although I haven't been told anything official yet, I hear the Kivalliq Inuit Association would also like to meet with them.

"There certainly are a number of organizations meeting at the same time, so I would assume their plan is to have receptions or meetings with the MLAs."

Kusugak says the local Chamber of Commerce is planning to meet with MLAs and the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet itself has a number of issues council wants to discuss.

Arts and crafts will be well-represented during the sitting with a fashion show being staged while members are in Rankin.

Representatives from the Manitoba government are also coming to sign a memorandum of understanding.

"There's a number of people involved with that, including the premier, the Speaker and several cabinet members," says Kusugak.

"The fashion show is scheduled to coincide with that because we felt they would be particularly interested in seeing what's available.

"And, of course, our crafts people are looking at them as potential customers."

There are many events still in the formative stages, such as a planned curling funspiel.

Kusugak says these events would happen in Rankin anyway, but are being scheduled for the February time frame so people will have various forms of entertainment.

She says the members will be in Rankin for at least two weeks and that's a long while to sit in a hotel.

"We still have a number of groups looking at the events they'll put on and making sure the MLAs will be invited to them.

"That's not to say every MLA will be at every event, but I'm sure they will honour as many requests as they're capable of doing."

Kusugak says the assembly's visit provides the opportunity for people to get to know the Keewatin and realize there's a lot of expertise and professionalism in the region.

"We're hoping they'll have a good time and come away with a healthy dose of respect for what we can do here.

"They should leave knowing what businesses and support services are available in the Keewatin and that's to everyone's benefit.