NUNAVUT
The annual Nunasi Corporation and NorTerra Inc. Community Tour hit the Kivalliq region earlier this year, with spokesperson and National Hockey League player Jordin Tootoo.

The 2011 Kivalliq Community Tour with Nunasi Corporation and NorTerra Inc. landed in all seven communities in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut between June 6 and 9. From left are Dan Kane, Kivalliq Services Ltd.; Wanda Norwegian, NorTerra Inc.; Franco Buscemi, Tim Zehr, Malaya Rheaume, Nunasi Corporation; Dan Cronin, NHLPA; Cathy Towtongie, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.; Vinnie Karetak, Canadian North; and Jordin Tootoo, spokesperson for Nunasi Corporation and NorTerra in front of the arch in Repulse Bay that marks the Arctic Circle. - photo courtesy of Nunasi Corporation

Starting in Rankin Inlet on June 6, the tour stopped in all seven communities in the region, ending on June 9 in Arviat.

The community tours started more than ten years ago to promote careers between the two companies for people across the communities of Nunavut. Nunasi/NorTerra spokesperson Tootoo has been a featured speaker since 2004.

"Jordin's story of having a dream and pursuing it is the message we really want to have resonate in the communities," said Franco Buscemi, Nunasi director of communications and marketing, adding Tootoo stresses the importance of education in his presentations.

Nunasi has been awarding every high school graduate in Nunavut with a Nunasi grad jacket since 2008, and this year jackets were presented in Repulse Bay and Arviat in front of members of the community who came for the tour stops.

"It was inspiring to see a sense of achievement as we recognized each graduate and presented them with their grad jacket," said Tim Zehr, president and chief operating officer of Nunasi in a released statement.

During the tours, Inuit employees also talk about career opportunities in the companies including management, heavy equipment operation and engineering. While attendees are sometimes shy to ask questions, young participants are often interested in the more adventurous careers like aviation, said Buscemi.

The tours often offer motivation at critical times for people. One man, who was going through hard times, said he was still alive because of the inspiration he got when the tour arrived in his hometown, Buscemi recounted.

Next year, the community tour will be held in the Qikiqtaaluk region.

Nunasi Corporation is wholly owned by Inuit who are enrolled under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

Norterra is owned by aboriginal development corporations Nunasi and Inuvialuit Development Corporation.

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