Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Apr 30/99) - Several special projects and an infusion of federal money to operate Tuktut Nogait National Park near Paulatuk could mean a dent in the hamlet's high unemployment rate.

"We have a very high rate of unemployment in this community," says Mayor Keith Dodge.

"When you're in a community where there's nearly 90 per cent unemployed, we've got to take advantage of every means and try to get the people into the community to work."

In addition to the $1 million to be spent on park operations this year, Minister of Parks, Andy Mitchell, has announced Parks Canada will move ahead with several special projects and investments totalling an additional $2 million.

Facilities including the visitors' centre are set to cost $1 million.

The proposed design for the facility includes seasonal housing and a heated garage for storage and repair of equipment. The centre will be built along with a new hotel to be developed by the community through some help from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

The $1 million for special projects includes a boundary survey and marking, guide training, a park brochure and other park projects together with the community such as trails or archeological surveys.

The final $1 million for park operations covers research and monitoring projects along with regular operation costs and salaries.

New jobs include a chief park warden, park warden, two patrol officers and an operations clerk and Parks Canada says most jobs are set to be filled by Paulatuk residents.

IRC chair Nellie Cournoyea says it is important the capital committed by the federal government be invested in durable, long-term opportunities for Paulatuk residents.

"We hope that these facilities will enable the residents of Paulatuk to obtain real economic benefits from the creation of the park while at the same time serving the needs of visitors to the area," she says.

Dodge agrees, saying he is "very very pleased" with recent announcements on park development advancements even if the jobs are seasonal ones.

"I give credit to them and I also give credit to Darnley Bay Resources because they put in a good economic boom here for a while and they are excellent corporate people to work with. They take the community into consideration," he says.

"They put the community first, they don't put themselves first you know. Everything they take into consideration. They consult with the community, the hamlet, the HTC and the PCC (Paulatuk Community Corporation.) I like dealing with people like that."