Baker Lake (Sep 10/03) - The hamlet of Baker Lake continued to train guides for its growing tourism industry this past month.

A total of nine students completed a Level 1 guide training course held Aug. 11 to 28. The three-week course dealt with the basics of tourism guiding and was facilitated by Wes Werbowy of Wilderness Consultants.

Werbowy has delivered numerous training courses across the Kivalliq.

He predicts there will soon be a shortage of trained guides to handle the increasing tourism in the Baker area.

"I was instrumental in assisting the set up of caribou hunts in the region and advertising Baker's unique offerings during my travels in the U.S.A.," says Werbowy.

"The interest will continue to grow as word-of- mouth advertising positively reflects the capabilities of those who have received training."

The Level 1 course combines classroom and land instruction. Students learn the basics of a wide range of subjects from tourism expenditures, cash flow and customer service, to planning, client preparation and proper travel procedures.

Course graduates are Michael Akilak, Stephen Alooq, Tommy Cook, Eric Owingayak, Harold Putumiraqtuq, Ruby Mautaritnaak, Susan Toolooktook, Bill Kashla and Terrance Niego.

The graduates were overwhelmingly positive in their evaluation of the program.

Niego says the course provided the best land trip he's ever been on. "I've been hunting all my life and I learned so much in just three weeks," says Niego.

Mautaritnaak says she had never heard of ecotourism until taking the program.

She says she learned many skills she's looking forward to using in the future.

"I didn't know a thing about first aid and I wanted to disappear every time it was my turn to do CPR," says Mautaritnaak.

"Now I am happy I know what to do if anyone needs this sort of first aid."

Baker economic development officer, Tara Fesyk, says as big game hunts continue to develop in the area, the hamlet needs to ensure it has trained-and-qualified guides to handle the incoming tourists.

"We look forward to having these individuals represent Baker Lake Tourism in the future," says Fesyk.

"To continue educating these Level 1 guides, I hope to find funding to bring in a Level 2 big game course next summer."