Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 22/98) - Yet another dream is about to come true for Canada's newest territory. Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. officer Robert Tookoome says the first step towards establishing trade relations with Greenland is well under way.

With funds coming from the circumpolar liaison division of DIAND, the Nunavut Investment Review Committee brought a business person over from Greenland last week to investigate economic development possibilities. Malena Jensen will visit several Nunavik and Nunavut communities including Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet and Arviat and she says she is hopeful that trading between the two regions will begin soon.

"What I'm hoping for here is I'd like more Canadian Inuit products in Greenland. In a lot of settlements, we're the only store so we sell everything," says Jensen.

She has been meeting with many Nunavut organizations and learning how they've been built and organized.

Tookoome says the next step is to send officials from Nunavut and Nunavik to Greenland to become experts on their economy.

Press Club

Interim Commissioner Jack Anawak had breakfast at the Press Club in Ottawa last week. Anawak used the opportunity to educate southern media on the formation of Nunavut and to answer any questions they had.

As the Interim Commissioner, Anawak is responsible for developing Nunavut's administrative and public service sectors. He was joined in Ottawa by his Deputy and Assistant Deputy Ministers who met with federal ministers to discuss the Nunavut Government.

Windfall

The Nunavut Trust has a whack of extra cash in the bank this year. Peter Kritaqliluk, the chair of the trust, says that because of investments, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) has an extra $2.9 million to spend. The surplus amounted to $5.7 million before taxes but dwindled after the feds got their hands on the money. NTI's Windfall Allocation Committee will decide what to do with the cash.

Nunavut Day

Residents of Iqaluit will soon be celebrating Nunavut Day. The festivities are scheduled to take place on July 9 at various locations around the community. Events will include all sorts of games, a dance, speeches and a barbecue. For more information or to get involved, contact Eva Michaels at Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.