Small hamlets get bigger voice with Nakoolak appointment
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Feb 07/01) - Jackie Nakoolak brings decades of experience to his new position as chairperson of the Nunavut Development Corp. (DevCorp).
Nakoolak, 48, hails from Coral Harbour. He succeeds Peter Tatty of Rankin Inlet, who stepped down due to other commitments.
DevCorp is owned by the Nunavut Government and operates eight businesses throughout the territory related to meat and fish processing and arts and crafts production.
DevCorp president John Hickes says Nakoolak is the right person at the right time.
"Jackie (Nakoolak) has a lot of experience in community government, being a former mayor of Coral Harbour, and has been extremely active with the HTO in dealing with quotas and government regulations governing the hunting and harvesting of wildlife," says Hickes.
"He's from a smaller community and that will give us a better understanding of the needs of the smaller communities and how we at DevCorp can play an active role in meeting those needs."
Nakoolak also has a business background, having taken a business management program in Saskatoon, Sask.
He says the top priority he sees is creating more jobs for Inuit, especially in smaller communities.
"I hope my appointment as board chairperson will give Nunavut's smaller communities a bigger voice which will be heard at the territorial level. It's also very important for us do a better job promoting the Nunavut Development Corp., so more people in Nunavut understand what it is and what its goals are."
Nakoolak says he's proud of the fact he has been working on a number of different boards for the past 30 years and that his dedication has led to the DevCorp appointment.
"I've been sitting on boards since I was about 17 and feel my experience will help the Nunavut Development Corporation better understand the needs of the communities in making future plans."
