Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Kugluktuk (July 30/01) - One day in the not-too-distant future, Kugluktumiut will be able to sit in a restaurant in their community and order a meal.

That's a big deal. Other than a small snack bar at the Northern Store and each other's homes, today's residents have no where to gather to break bread or enjoy a cup of coffee.

The establishment of the restaurant was one of the top priorities to come out of a report entitled the Kugluktuk Community Economic Development Plan.

Alex Buchan, the hamlet's manager of community development, played a key role in putting that report together.

He said last week that, after the community established the Kugluktuk Community Development Corporation, there was a desire, especially among hamlet councillors and leaders, to ensure there was a game plan for how the corporation would be active in the community.

"There was a need to say what was really needed in economic development for the community and what role does the corporation play in that picture," said Buchan.

"The overall objective is to create a better economy in Kugluktuk. That can be measured by a variety of standard means, including levels of employment, disposable income, number of businesses," he said.

Through a series of interviews and consultations with local business owners, hamlet residents and various organizations, Buchan gathered and analysed information about what was needed. He presented 34 pages of short and long-term priorities to 40 community members at a workshop for further analysis.

"The idea was for it to be transparent and to involve as many people as possible," said Buchan.

For each sector of the community, a list of action items, priorities and goals were identified. Steps to attain the goals were also identified.

"A big part of the plan is communication -- telling us how we can improve the economy and communicating that to other people," Buchan said.

Once the restaurant is up and running, Buchan said a prospecting company would also be established.

That will give residents greater access to the Kitikmeot region's burgeoning mineral industry.

Buchan said because the development corporation is owned by community residents, everyone has a stake.