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Nunasi's newest location

Company sets up shop in Eastern Arctic

Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jan 29/01) - Almost two years after division, Inuit-owned Nunasi Corp. has opened an office in Iqaluit.

Prior to the office in Eastern Arctic, the economic development company's lone base of operation was in Yellowknife.

"This is an important advance in the growth of our company. We anticipate that the Iqaluit office will provide us with increased scope to realize new business opportunities for the benefit of our shareholders," said Nunasi president and CEO Fred Hunt.

"It was time we had a real presence in Nunavut. We have a presence (in Nunavut) in business ventures," said Joe Enook, vice-president of Nunavut operations.

Nunasi wanted to set up an office in Iqaluit for some time, but tremendous growth made it difficult to find affordable office space. Nunasi's Iqaluit office is located in the Pauna Place, said Enook.

He added the company is looking for business opportunities which include training opportunities for Inuit.

From 1994-99, Enook served as executive assistant to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Jose Kusugak. Enook has also served on NorTerra Ltd., First Air, and Nunasi boards. As well, he was Baffin Divisional Board of Education chairperson from 1984-93.

Over the past several years, Nunasi has grown through various investments, which include a 50 per cent stake in NorTerra. The NorTerra group includes Hay River-based Northern Transportation Company Ltd., Canadian North, SRI Homes and Weldco Beales manufacturing.

Nunasi also has a stake in Top of the World (2000) travel agency -- which has operations in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Cambridge bay and Iqaluit -- and Polar Vision and its subsidiary Baffin Optical, Nunasi Environmental and Arctic Spirit Clothing and Embroidery.

Other moves include expansion into the Larga group of companies with the Baffin's Qikiqtaaluk Corp. and the Kivalliq's Sakku Investments. With the Kitikmeot Corp., Nunasi also recently acquired Kitnuna Corp. (formerly Fred H. Ross and Associates).

All Inuit registered under the Nunavut land claim are Nunasi shareholders.