Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 29/02) - It's as if the stars were perfectly aligned and some sort of divine power decided it was time for Nunavut and New England to develop a trade relationship.

While the situation sounds out of the ordinary, it's the way Ronald Irwin, Canada's consul general in Boston, described the project now in the works.

Irwin, a former Indian affairs minister and ambassador to Ireland, was in Iqaluit earlier this month promoting the development of a partnership between Nunavut, the federal government and various states in the New England area.

He said after watching $1.3 billion change hands between Canada and the United States in two-way trade every day, he saw a chance to promote Canadian culture. Realizing how hungry international and cultural markets are for information about Inuit culture and Nunavut, Irwin put the project in motion.

"This thing is going to work," said Irwin. "When windows open and opportunity comes, you seize it and see what you can do. The right people who wanted to do this were all in the right spot at the right time and they recognized it."

The idea is that Nunavummiut will travel to Massachusetts and neighbouring states, and train in various industries. Interest from Americans involved in tourism, the art world, different cultural projects and institutions and the fishing industry has been expressed to date.

Similar organizations from Nunavut have also warmed to the idea. Irwin met with Inuit organizations, cabinet ministers, officials from the tourism industry and arts and crafts personnel during his stay in the capital.

Assuming all goes as planned over the next 12 months, Irwin said the first of the delegates will arrive in the U.S. and begin work in the spring of 2003.

"It's culture leading to the understanding of trade and investment. People are fascinated that people can (settle a land claim) like this and establish this huge territory and government and legislature. This hasn't been done anywhere in the world," said Irwin.

Culture Minister Jack Anawak is already committed to the project. Hinting that his department would send a delegate, Anawak praised the initiative for the opportunity it presented for developing people and the territory itself.

"We want a headstart in training for an archivist or whatever. Someone can go down there and get prepared for our heritage centre," said Anawak. "It's a world-opening experience."