New challenges and new opportunities in Aklavik
Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services
Aklavik (Apr 23/01) - It's a testament to the spirit of Aklavik's citizens that the community didn't die when Inuvik became the administrative centre for the Mackenzie Delta.
Aklavik refused to lie down though, and the abundance of crests with the town's motto, "never say die" are evidence of the considerable civic pride.
Like most Northern communities, Aklavik is adjusting to the many changes in the region.
Hunting and trapping still play a major role in this community, but the traplines are often a hit and miss affair from year to year.
Carol Arey, of the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers committee says that last year, Aklavik's flooding made trapping a bust. "The only problem was that there was a lot of overflow from the river," washing out traplines, she says.
This year, heavy snowfall buried some traplines, but trappers are bringing back pelts.
"Actually, it's better than last year," Arey said.
Oil and natural gas exploration conduct extensive hiring within the community. Seismic base camps just off the winter road between Inuvik and Aklavik are clearly visible during the drive into the hamlet. So are the private off-roads set up by the exploration companies.
Nellie Gruben, senior administrative officer for Aklavik, said that anyone in the hamlet who wants to work can get work in oil and gas exploration.
Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko says it's crucial that his constituents in Aklavik not only get the chance to work on the crews, but also get the opportunity to improve their skills.
"My biggest concerns right now are about literacy and education," he said.
"We have to give people the chance to improve their skills so that they're able to improve their quality of life."
Krutko was one of many MLAs who attended the recent Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference in Toronto.
The area surrounding Aklavik is suspected of being rich in coal, gold, lead and zinc. Krutko believes there's a golden opportunity to reduce reliance on gas and traplines.
"There's something here for individuals who are on their traplines," he says. "When they're out on the land, they could be prospecting too. We have to be diverse."
At the Aklavik General Store, Kip Rouse is working the till, and doesn't plan to go anywhere. He lived in Vancouver for a long time before coming North, and is in for the long haul.
"I'll never leave this place," he said
