Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Panniqtuuq (Nov 18/02) - Michael Murphy left Ireland because there was no work. He wanted to make money and be able to support a family.

Michael Murphy stands outside his soon-to-be theatre in Panniqtuuq. He said all the materials inside the crates will be in place by early next year. He hopes to open it up in January. - Christine Kay/NNSL photo

He fulfilled his goal when he came to Canada. It didn't happen right away, but Murphy eventually set himself up as a small entrepreneur in Panniqtuuq.

He owns a couple of stores and soon he'll be running Nunavut's second movie theatre.

News/North: How long have you been in the North?

Michael Murphy: I've been here for 30 years. I spent 10 years working for the Co-op and I've been self-employed in Panniqtuuq for the last 19 years.

N/N: Where was the first place you lived in Canada?

MM: I worked in British Columbia for a while. Resolute Bay was my first stop in the North. I was area manager for the Co-op and then an education and training co-ordinator for them. I've been everywhere in the North about 15 or 20 times. I've lived all over the place. Back in those days, I had a girl in every port.

N/N: What did you think of the North when you first arrived from Ireland?

MM: I was so young I don't even remember. When I first went to Resolute Bay I thought I was on the moon.

N/N: How's the movie theatre coming along?

MM: It's almost a month delayed now.

N/N: Why?

MM: We have to put an extension on the building. But, I'd love to have it open by Christmas. There are no promises in the Arctic though.

N/N: What's the reaction from the community?

MM: The kids are excited about it. They always ask me, 'is it open today?' or 'are there going to be movies tomorrow?'

N/N: Why did you decide to open a movie theatre?

MM: I was just basically listening to my customers. Everyone would come back to Panniqtuuq from Iqaluit and say they'd seen the latest movie.

N/N: Which building will it be in?

MM: It was the old print shop before. I purchased it locally.

N/N: How do you think the theatre will give back to the community?

MM: I like to give back. I hire my staff and give them a lot of hours in the store and soon in the theatre. It encourages the kids I hire to finish their high school education and go for it.

N/N: What are challenges of running your own business in the North?

MM: They are no different then anywhere else. The major difficulty is getting supplies and waiting after the mail.

N/N: What kind of advice would you give to someone waiting to start a business in the North?

MM: You have to have your financial plan in place. You have to know the business. You have to know the market.

N/N: Will you try to play to the newest movies? How far behind will the movies be?

MM: I'll probably have the same movies as Bryan Pearson from the Astro Theatre in Iqaluit. Probably within a week or so. When the movie comes out in Toronto, it will probably be another six weeks or so before we see it here.

N/N: How many shows a week will you have?

MM: Two shows a night at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday night, (there will be one show) at 9 p.m. The matinee will be later in the afternoon so the youth can go to church.

N/N: What else will you do with the building?

MM: The building will always be available for the town to use. If there is a speaker from out of town that is coming into Panniqtuuq. If there is a public meeting or the school wants to have a little recital.

N/N: How many employees will you have all together with the stores and soon the movie theatre?

MM: Two employees now and once the theatre opens I'll have four and a half.

N/N: Why did you decide to stay in Panniqtuuq?

MM: I never made a conscious decision that I'd stay here. I just kind of grew into the Arctic.

I like the freedom. I like the lifestyle. I love the land and the openness. You can go a mile out of town and you're slipping into the future. There you are.

N/N: Do you have a family now in Panniqtuuq?

MM: My oldest daughter is 25 years old. She's in Iqaluit. She's an example of where Nunavut should go in the future. I have three younger daughters. There's also a baby boy on the way in January. To me having a boy is just ... it just kind of happened. He'll keep me young for the next 20 years. I couldn't be happier. I'll raise him up hopefully to be a future politician.

N/N: Do you get out of town much?

MM: I go to Ireland every five or six years. If I get away now I go out to Ottawa.

N/N: Do you consider Panniqtuuq home now?

MM: (Panniqtuuq) is my home. This is where I'll live and this is where I'll die.

N/N: What makes it home?

MM: I had a little tragedy not long ago. My only son died at the age of 21 in the river. After that I knew this was my home forever.