Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 08/01) - Jeff Nadeau landed in Iqaluit 10 years ago sweating buckets.

"My brother told me it would be really cold. So, on the plane I was wearing long underwear, a turtleneck and three extra shirts," Nadeau said with laugh.

Business owner and family man, Jeff Nadeau, takes a pre-season sit on one of his snowmobiles. - Kirsten Murphy/NNSL photo

His arrival in 1991 followed four years at Bishop's University in Montreal, Que.

"I finished my business management degree, didn't have much money and my cousin was the manager at the Northern. He needed some help," he said.

Much has changed since then. He met his wife here and they now have a two-year-old son.

Nadeau now co-owns one of Iqaluit's four snowmobile dealerships, Sikitu Sales and Service.

He said as the territory grows, so does business. However, Nadeau has little time for the recreation he promotes.

"Only on Sundays. I'm here six days a week. I hope to get out a little more this year," he said. "April and May has some of the best snowmobiling going. It's warm and you can go forever. There is lots of snow."

Nadeau is neither a trapper nor a hunter.

"My father-in-law sends me moose. You name it steaks, sausages, roasts. My freezer is pretty empty now but I'm hoping he'll come up," he said, smacking his lips.

When not at work, Nadeau enjoys hockey, softball and curling. His favourite pastime is golf.

"Not here. I have to go south," he said.

In his decade of living in Nunavut, he's only visited Kimmirut.

Something he hopes to change by travelling further north in the not too distant future.

The North's climate and business opportunities are what keep him and his family here.

"It's similar to home (St. Paul's River, Que.). This is above the treeline but the terrain is much the same."