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Renewing cultural pride

Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 15/03) - Inuvik Community Corporation's new chair, Duane Smith, is no stranger to politics.

Besides six years of service as a director on the community corporation, he has also been on the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee for 12 years, five years as board chair of the Inuvialuit Game Council and is the current president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council of Canada.

Smith was voted in as the new chair during the community corporation election held Dec. 1 in Inuvik.

He'll be joined by directors Gayle Gruben, Hank Rogers Sr. and Andy Tardiff.

Smith gets involved in local organizations because there's a job to do and he likes to see things done.

His No. 1 focus as chair of the community corporation is on "reinvigorating cultural pride with the people and to let them be the best they can be and lead a better life".

Naturally the pipeline is also something he's concerned with.

"The majority of the (pipeline) activities will be taking place on Inuvik Community Corp private lands," said Smith. He wants meaningful employment and training opportunities for the Inuvialuit.

"But just as important as meaningful employment is the impacts on the environment," he said.

"We've lived through the boom and bust scenario for so many years and we know we will have to rely on living off the land when all the oil and gas companies move away."

Two year term

Aklavik's election was also on Dec. 1. Although the chair position, currently held by Carol Arey, doesn't come up until next year, there are three new directors starting on the board.

Dean Arey, Nellie Gruben and Roland J. Selamio were voted in by 119 voters of the 337 registered. They will spend a two-year term on the board of directors.

Community Corporation elections in Holman, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk and Paulatuk will be held in conjunction with the municipal elections, Dec. 8.