Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (June 26/02) - Guides in Baker Lake are expecting to be kept busy this summer.

The guides are anticipating the arrival of as many as 50 visiting hunters to the community.

Wes Werbowy of Wilderness Consultants says the hunters translate into a big boost for Baker's economy.

"When these hunters return home with words about the professional level of guiding available and the great time they had in Nunavut, that will increase tourism into this area many times over," says Werbowy.

To that end, Werbowy was back in Baker this past month to prepare 12 candidates for their Level 1 Guide Training certificates.

Werbowy says the importance of professional and dependable service and hospitality when dealing with the hunters cannot be over-stated.

"These incoming guests are the seeds of the future. Look after them properly and everyone benefits," he says.

All 12 worked hard and passed the three-week course, which included classroom work on the theory of tourism -- perfecting the way to greet a client with Northern hospitality, yet remain in control.

Course graduate Roy Avaala was impressed with what he learned.

"The most important thing I learned is that a guide doesn't just take tourists out. He also does all the cooking, leading, transporting, and accommodating," says Avaala. "A guide does all of this while remaining professionally calm."

Course graduate Roger Owingayak says an important aspect of the course to him was the strict enforcement of no-trace camping.

"It was very important to learn how to properly prepare for our clients while, at the same time, showing respect of our land by keeping the camp area neat and tidy," says Owingayak.

The course was funded by Kivalliq Partners in Development and co-ordinated by Baker's chief economic development officer, Philip Tagoona.

The 12 graduates were honoured at a small ceremony in which MLA Glenn McLean, Togoona and Joe Niego of the Department of Sustainable Development praised their efforts.

"Your learning never stops," Niego to the guides.

"It is very important to keep learning how to communicate with your guests."