Staking claim in the Eastern Arctic
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Nov 08/00) - It seem everybody's talking about gold and diamonds -- from coffee shops to office buildings to the local hunters and trappers organization.
And Nunavummiut are doing their best to catch up.
They want to acquire skills to break into the mining industry, so they may strike it rich or stake a claim on a profitable property and earn some cash.
Carl Schulze is doing his part to make that dream become reality in Kivalliq.
Recently hired to work in Arviat as the new regional geologist for the GN's Department of Sustainable Development in eastern Nunavut, one of Schulze's tasks is to set up geology programs in the region.
Eight prospecting courses have already been held across Nunavut. In the Kivalliq region, 42 residents completed the courses, leaving them equipped with map and compass techniques, claim-staking skills and some basic mineral knowledge.
Schulze said the courses give participants the edge needed to compete in the mining job market.
"People who have completed these courses apply for work and they tend to get preference over those who didn't," he said.
Prospector's program
The territorial government has also established the Nunavut Prospector's Program.
Prospectors, who present viable exploration proposals, are awarded $5,000 to work on a project, said Schulze.
He said that after submitting an outline and the required budget, prospectors go into the field, do their work, and send back a minimum of 20 samples to be analyzed.
Schulze said the money was enough to allow prospectors to rent equipment, travel to the area and obtain samples.
The programs have been successful in Kivalliq, which is important because the region is home to two of the gold properties with the most potential in Nunavut.
"It's enough to get a foot in the door. It gets you started," said Schulze.
"It gives people more knowledge and they have one more ticket to put to their name."
