Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Mar 15/00) - Better communication and exciting new designs have employees of Baker Lake's Jessie Oonark Centre feeling confident about the future.

Centre manager Paul Kabloona says he's excited about the new designs created for their clothing line.

"We're getting away from the old ones because we feel it's time for a change with our design concepts," says Kabloona.

"We're trying to continue with the same themes, while taking a modern approach in giving them a more contemporary look."

Kabloona was in Iqaluit this past week for the Nunavut Trade Show as part of the Nunavut Development Corp.'s subsidiary lineup. This was Kabloona's first trip to the event and he was excited about taking part.

"It was a good experience for myself and produced positive results for the business. I met a lot of people from the Nunavut government and other business people. It was a good opportunity to show what we have to offer."

Kabloona is in his seventh year with the Jessie Oonark Centre. The centre has been open since 1992 and survived some tough times before its recent turnaround.

"It's funny. For awhile, there seemed to be a misconception that we were closed for a couple of years, but it's always been open.

"That rumour started when the NWT Development Corp. was trying to either hand it over to Nunavut or close it down, but that never happened. Now it's part of the Nunavut Development Corp."

Kabloona says things have never been better since DevCorp took over the centre.

There has been a big improvement in the way the centre does business.

"The lines of communication seem to be a lot better now. DevCorp is going to supply us with two computers with e-mail, which we've never had before. Once we have them, we'll be able to greatly improve our efficiency.

"Instead of having to send samples to buyers by Express Post, we'll be able to take a digital picture and show them the colours and design of our new products to get their approval right away. It will also help us reduce costs."

Kabloona says the company has received an increase in orders from its marketing sales manager in Mississauga, Ont.

The centre just filled a 15-box order of T-shirts and sweatshirts.

"They've got some of our ties down there now as well. We're doing much better on our orders. Things have taken off pretty good since the creation of Nunavut."