Sanikiluaq (Apr 18/05) - Lucassie Kittosuk is the owner of Kawtaq Construction Ltd., a small construction business in Sanikiluaq, one of Nunavut's smallest, most isolated communities.

Lucassie could be the face of Nunavut's future or he could be the last of a dying breed.

Lucassie Kittosuk owns Kawtaq Construction Ltd. in Sanikiluaq and struggles to compete with larger companies. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

Kittosuk hopes his business will be around for a long time, but it's a constant struggle, with geographic isolation and the realities of Arctic weather working against him.

Not to mention the fact he's competing for jobs against much larger construction companies.

"For a small community like Sanikiluaq, maybe it would be nice if the government or whoever went directly to small contractors instead of putting them out to public tender," he said.

"We only deal with this community, we don't go outside."

His is a general contracting company that hires up to 30 people in the summer.

They can only work four months a year due to weather.

The company has its own heavy equipment and builds houses, roads and gravel pads.

They did the renovation of the Sanikiluaq airport and have built 30 public housing units to date.

They also pick up smaller projects, like home renovations, but money is always tight.

"We're hoping to expand our business," he said.

"It's a small community. There isn't enough work here. There are not many opportunities to collect contracts.

"Other times we're scared there are other bigger contractors in Nunavut."

One job he wants badly is the new school, scheduled for completion in 2009 to serve the growing population, which currently sits at just 700 people.

Kittosuk is also still waiting to hear if his bid will be accepted for a big housing job.

"I've seen a lot of construction companies come and go," he said.

"We were looking at economic potential here and to hire more local people."

Kittosuk said he isn't expecting to get rich, he's merely following the dream of running his own business in his own community.

"Sometimes there's work, sometimes there's not," he said, adding that he often loses employees because he can't provide year-round employment.

As he waits to hear about the school and housing jobs, unexpected work from the municipality helps keep him busy.

If the municipality rents his equipment, that means more money for the business.

Kittosuk wants more than here and there jobs, he wants to feel like a valuable part of the fabric and future of Nunavut but it's an uphill battle staying at the front of people's minds while living in Sanikiluaq.

"We need to keep our company alive," he said. "I'm hoping all communities would provide small contractors with contracts as much as possible. That would be a really good thing for us."