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Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
The gathering was highlighted by good news about the Meadowbank gold project near Baker Lake and flight services to the hamlets of Coral Harbour and Repulse Bay.
Rankin's Ray Mercer was acclaimed to another term as chamber president.
He says the AGM was a milestone for the spirit of co-operation between the government of Nunavut and the chamber's membership.
"It was positive to have the chamber's executive meet with representatives of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Kivalliq mayors and Nunavut politicians all at once," says Mercer.
"It was especially productive to have politicians working together with members of the business community in a united atmosphere."
Other officers elected were first vice-president David Simailak (Baker Lake), second vice-president Tom Owlijoot (Arviat) and past president Tom Kudloo (Baker Lake).
Rankin's Sam Tutanuak, who tied in the voting with Simailak, is an executive-in-waiting.
The chamber passed 21 resolutions on a wide range of topics, including transportation, the film industry, arts and crafts, and territorial government purchasing and contracting policies that affect small businesses.
Three awards were presented with Baker Lake artists receiving the Keith Rawlings award for putting Inuit arts and crafts on the world scene.
Baker's Simon Tookoome was presented with a plaque commemorating his lifelong membership with the chamber, and Umingmak Supply Ltd. received an award for outstanding service to the business community.
Mercer says the chamber was pleased with the presentation delivered by Cumberland Resource Ltd.'s Glen Dickson on the Meadowbank gold project and an announcement from the airline industry.
"Skyward Aviation Ltd. announced it will begin scheduled passenger service into Coral Harbour and Repulse Bay this week," he says.
"The Meadowbank presentation showed significant growth at the site and has everyone feeling optimistic on the gold project's future."
