Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (July 07/99) - Rankin Inlet's John Hickes has been named president and chief executive officer of the Nunavut Development Corp. (DevCorp) by Sustainable Development Minister Peter Kilabuk.

DevCorp provides employment and income opportunities to Nunavumiut through the development of community-based business and currently supports nine such operations in seven communities across Nunavut.

Hickes assumed the position, which will be based out of Rankin, on July 1.

In making the announcement, Kilabuk said Hickes' appointment signals a change in DevCorp's Nunavut operations.

"The Development Corp. has a leader who understands the conditions in our communities," said Kilabuk.

"Anyone with concerns can now speak directly to the president himself and in their own language.

"I believe DevCorp operations will improve as people realize they have a big part to play in the corporation's future."

Hickes is a former deputy minister for the Department of Sustainable Development, a past president and CEO of the Nunasi Corp. and a former mayor of Rankin Inlet.

In accepting the position, Hickes said many challenges lay ahead, but he welcomes the opportunity to take the lead in working with communities to help create jobs in Nunavut. He said the first order of business will be to appoint a board to set DevCorp's direction, which he will implement.

"The most pressing concern is with DevCorps such as Keewatin Meat and Fish and Ivalu Ltd. in Rankin Inlet, Kitikmeot Foods Ltd. in Cambridge Bay, Taluq Arts and Crafts in Taloyoak, Pangnirtung Fisheries Ltd. and the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts in Pangnirtung, the Jessie Oonark Centre in Baker Lake and the Kiluk Ltd. in Arviat," said Hickes.

"These are companies we're asked to assist to develop and grow to provide employment opportunities for local residents in each community. They were part of the GNWT Development Corp. and now we have to help re-establish them in the context of Nunavut."

Hickes said his strong background with Sustainable Development and the Nunasi Corp. were the most critical components to his new appointment. He said being Inuk was the "icing on the cake," but his private sector background and involvement with management-type training provided the foundation for being selected as the successful candidate.

"Companies I will be assisting are community based and the strength from those operations comes from within the community structure. For example, they are managed by local boards which give directions to the managers in their local operations.

I see my previous involvement and experience with setting up Inuit organizations also bringing a positive bearing to what we're trying to face now. Being bilingual is also a plus in terms of community liaison and contacts that are going to be needed. The challenges will be many, but, so too, I think, will be our successes."