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PAULATUK
John Muffa Kudlak was re-elected president of the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee during the committee's annual general meeting on June 9.

John Muffa Kudlak was re-elected president of the Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee. - NNSL file photo

Kudlak said he decided to run again to maintain the committee's momentum on a number of issues and initiatives that are currently on the table.

"I thought there was still some ongoing issues related to the committee itself," said Kudlak. "Number one being the Wildlife Act and some issues in there. There was some unfinished business and ongoing issues so that was one of my reasons for running again."

Kudlak said the Paulatuk HTC does not have many concerns about the impacts of the Wildlife Act since it includes the Inuvialuit Final Agreement but there is still work required by the committee in order to sign off on the agreement and iron out final decisions.

Kudlak said the committee also recently completed proposals to the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development's Northern Contaminant Program and to Health Canada addressing concerns about contaminants in wildlife species harvested by community members. Kudlak said the committee is confident in its proposals and are "just waiting to sign the bottom line." The proposals would provide funding for additional research, outreach programs, or monitoring activities.

Kudlak said two goals for the committee's day-to-day operations include establishing its financial books in Paulatuk, instead of Inuvik where they're currently regulated, and get more Paulatuk youth involved in the committee.

"Within the last two years we've focused on the youth students and youth council being involved," he said. "So we're getting more youth within the HTC, working on projects such as beluga or the char monitoring program."

Kudlak said there will be 10 or 11 positions open for youth for the month of July. The positions available include beluga monitors, char monitors, summer assistants and an administrative assistant for the committee office.

"We already have youths coming in with their applications and we'll be making a selection on the 26th of June for all of the jobs that we need to be filled," said Kudlak.

"We have a little training orientation before these projects start so it's going to be a busy month starting very shortly."

The two other open board positions were filled by Ray Ruben Sr., who now serves as secretary/treasurer, and Fred Thrasher.

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