IKPIARJUK/ARCTIC BAY - Nearly 20 organizations brought some excitement to Arctic Bay this month for its popular trade show.

Left, Andrew Akikulu, 12, accepts the last free bag handle cover from Travis Cooper, NTI business development officer during a trade show in Arctic Bay. - Erika Sherk/NNSL photo

The Trade, Service and Career Fair was held by the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce (BRCC) Nov. 19 in the community.

At some points students were lined up a dozen deep for a chance to peer the rocks and gemstones displayed by Massoud Robatian, staff geologist for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

"I got excited," said Arctic Bay resident Geela Oingonn, of the trade fair. "I think it's just great."

Oingonn was there with her baby son Judas Jr., checking out the Skills Canada booth.

At the helms was Heather MacDougall, a Skills Canada board member, providing information on the organization's programs.

She was there, "just to raise awareness on all the different skilled trade opportunities there are in the North," MacDougall said, "Opportunities where you don't have to leave your community to be in the trades."

Travis Cooper, business development officer for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) was handing out greeting card-sized NTI magnets to a willing crowd.

"Everyone's been really friendly," he said, "and asking lots of questions." Cooper said he was there to let people know exactly what NTI offers to land claims beneficiaries.

"Seeing as we can't have a constant presence in the communities it's nice to get out to these as much as we can," he said.

The trade show is vital to Arctic Bay's youth, said Noah Qaqqasiq, arena and gym supervisor for the hamlet. "It's very interesting for younger generations," said Qaqqasiq.

"They need to look at [the opportunities] because some will hopefully embark with them."

Some of the hamlet's youth are afraid to leave home to attend courses or programs elsewhere, he said. "Once they see the people and meet them, they want to go."

The Arctic Bay show, where 27 individuals representing 19 organizations set up booths and distributed information and trinkets in the Inuujaq School gym, is the first of five shows hosted this year by the BRCC. Clyde River, Pond Inlet,

Sanikiluaq and Kimmirut will get their visits before March.

Community members and school children filled the gym, many with their arms full of free pens, mugs and key chains as well as information hand-outs.

"It's a chance for business and organizations to meet face-to-face with the people they are serving," said Jessica Dewar, BRCC events manager.

"It's partly to show people in a smaller community what at trade show is all about and how you advertise yourself," added Frank May, BRCC board member and chair of the Arctic Bay economic development committee.

School students took part in a Skills Canada cardboard qamutiik-building competition.

Taking over the gym floor before the trade show began, the students built qamutiiks out of sheets of cardboard and then raced them on the bay to the cheers of the entire student body.

The competition is a way to foster interest in trades, said MacDougall, who braved the cold winds on the bay to referee the competition.

"If you're good at cardboard qamutiiks you might also be good at carpentry, design and planning," she said.

A community feast rounded out the day, though bologna sandwiches had to stand in for the caribou and Arctic Char the hamlet was unable to acquire, according to recreation co-ordinator Thomas Levi.