Joanasie Eegeesiak
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Apr 05/99) - Pitseolak Pfeifer runs and manages the daily affairs of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.

"I started in November, 1996, and I'm just really liking it," said the 31-year-old.

He competed for and won the chief executive officer training position, but shortly after, the corporation took away the trainee title and named him vice-president of operations. Pfeifer explained that when Inuit have trainee attached to their title, and on their business cards, it takes the importance away from their position.

He said the whole point of the position is to put the trainee at the forefront of meetings. As a result, the corporation decided it should give him the title of vice-president.

Pfeifer received most of his training on the job. There were, however, times when the corporation hired a private tutor to bring him up to the skill level he needed for financial management and negotiations.

Pfeifer travels about 10 days a month and said being on the road so much gets to him at times.

"I have a young family -- two girls, five and two -- and expecting another one in September. I like to spend time with them on the weekends and I also play hockey," he said.

But despite all the travelling, Pfeifer still likes what he does for a living.

"I like my job. Being the CEO of the corporation, I'm able to provide training and employment opportunities to beneficiaries. The fact that I have a direct say how these training and employment opportunities should happen is one of my biggest objectives as a CEO."

He said his job is very rewarding because he's able to encourage young Inuit to stay in school so they can have access to better job opportunities.

"Young people have to recognize that in order to facilitate or to make change for Nunavut, Inuit must be part of management. A position like this is very rewarding."

Pfeifer added he hoped young people were aware of what Nunavut is all about and that they would take full advantage of all the opportunities available.