Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 18/99) - A huge contingent from the Kivalliq region is on a mission to Manitoba.

John Hickes, an assistant deputy minister with the new Nunavut government, says the trade trip is an opportunity for a friendly turning of the tables.

"We always have delegations looking to sell us products. We're always the purchaser or buyer of products. With this trade mission we're saying we too have products to sell," Hickes, the ADM for sustainable development and former Rankin Inlet mayor, said.

"Yes, we do have products. Let's go out and be aggressive and sell our products."

Hickes cited tourism as one of the biggest things the Kivalliq region has to offer. But the business benefits are out there for many other areas, he adds. Entrepreneurs can find a market in Manitoba while Kivalliq businesses may identify joint-venture opportunities for Manitoba companies to join with Northern firms.

Through the trade mission, people for the Kivalliq region may identify Manitoba products they want to bring North, Hickes said. "Why is there no car or truck dealership in Rankin?"

This could be one of many areas that new partnerships are forged, he said.

One of the biggest links between Manitoba and the Kivalliq region could one day come in the form of power. Manitoba, with very low kilowatt per hour costs, is exploring the possibility of providing electric power to Kivalliq.

Hickes said this remains an option.

Today, trade has to be a two-way street, he adds.

Hickes said he believes Manitobans will be surprised at what the Kivalliq region has to offer.

Paul Kabloona, manager of the Jessie Oonark Centre in Baker Lake, said he is hoping to meet with Manitoba marketing firms in an effort to expand the centre's sales.

"We're hoping to meet with people to export the products overseas," Kabloona said.

The trade mission will also be a chance for Kabloona to meet with some of the centre's suppliers.

The Jessie Oonark Centre is known for its silk screening and other hand-crafted items. Among its most popular items are silk ties bearing images of the North.

Jimmy Nagyougalik and Sally Webster are other Baker Lake artists who will be heading to Manitoba. Nagyougalik crafts jewelry while Webster creates wall- hangings.

In all, there are about 65 Northerners scheduled to go on the five-day trade mission.

Leading the mission is Aivilik MLA and NWT Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Manitok Thompson, Kivalliq Central MLA and Finance Minister John Todd and Whale Cove Mayor Stanley Adjuk as well as Hickes.

The communities of Rankin, Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield, Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay and Whale Cove as well as the city of Yellowknife will be represented.

Northerners will not only get a chance to promote Northern business and goods and services but also strengthen existing ties.

It is also a chance to follow up on Manitoba's visit to the North 11 months ago.

The Kivalliq trade mission, complete with arts and crafts displays, networking opportunities and information sessions, is expected to include all three regional MLAs, GNWT and Nunavut government representatives and all seven Kivalliq mayors.

Under the mission's format, the delegates will split into two groups. Some Northerners will head directly for Winnipeg while others will visit Churchill before travelling to Thompson and then to Winnipeg. In Winnipeg, the event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel.

The delegation will also visit rural Manitoba communities.

Currently, Kivalliq communities purchase over $250 million worth of goods and services annually from Manitoba businesses, said Robert Connelly with the GNWT Resources Wildlife and Economic Development department.

Very little business is reciprocated from Manitoba to Kivalliq businesses. The major economic growth areas for the Kivalliq region include mining, construction, transportation and retail industries, he said.

But many Kivalliq residents feel that for the regional economy to prosper, a larger focus has to be put on smaller cottage industry businesses such as arts and crafts producers, tourism businesses, arctic food producers and transportation businesses, he said.