Big interest for 'Inuit guardian' jobs
Plenty of applicants to serve in various capacities at Franklin ships wreck sites
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Monday, August 21, 2017
GJOA HAVEN
The hiring process is underway for "Inuit guardians," who will assist in protecting both Franklin shipwreck sites.
Intern Theoran Kopak, steering the boat; Jacob Keanik, president of the board of directors of the Nattilik Heritage Centre, left; Louie Kamookak, Gjoa Haven historian and teacher; and Ellen Bertrand of Parks Canada, right, all travelled to the Erebus wreck site for the first time during summer 2015. "Inuit guardians" are being hired to protect the Erebus and Terror wreck sites. There are also roles for elders and storytellers, who will act as Franklin ship ambassadors. - photo courtesy of Parks Canada |
Elders and storytellers are also being recruited to welcome tourists to the HMS Erebus site.
There will be up to 15 positions and there are many interested in the jobs.
"They're coming from left and right and from the back," said Keith Nimiqtaqtuq, manager of the Gjoa Haven Hunters' and Trappers' Association, which is helping to find staff for the Franklin ship sites. Contractors approved by Parks Canada will oversee the ongoing management of the guardians.
The job duties will entail monitoring the wreck sites around the clock during open-ice periods so no artifacts are plundered by thieves, Nimiqtaqtuq noted. There is also a need for wildlife guards at the nearby campsites.
If there are more qualified individuals than positions available, the successful candidates will be chosen randomly, by drawing names out of a hat, Nimiqtaqtuq said.
The first employees were likely to be stationed at the sites last week or this week, said Fred Pedersen, chair of the Franklin Interim Advisory Committee. He added that there will be crew changes throughout the season. Parks Canada is providing training and staff will be receive equipment from the contractors.
"They'll be given communication tools and lights and things like that," Pedersen said. "They'll have a vessel whereby they'll be camping on land, of course, and they'll be able to get to the site if another vessel approaches and go meet the other vessel and talk with them, and ensure that no diving takes place or people try to loot the wreck sites."
Guardians will be expected to supply their own boats for this season but will be compensated for the use of their vessels, said Meaghan Bradley, a communications officer with Parks Canada.
The elders and storytellers will act as ambassadors, sharing Inuit culture, traditional knowledge and history, and also serving tea and bannock, Bradley noted.
The jobs represent some of the economic development that is possible through the discovery of the Erebus and Terror.
"At KIA, we're hoping that Inuit from Gjoa Haven can benefit greatly from these finds. In the end, we're hoping a lot of tourism potential will come of this in the future," said Pedersen, who is also director of planning and communications with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
