Rankin Inlet (Apr 13/05) - Kivalliq communities are ready for the opportunities presented by the mining industry, but they also urge exploration companies to respect the land.

Representatives from the region presented ideas and concerns to industry members during the Nunavut Mining Symposium held April 1-4 in Rankin Inlet.

Repulse Bay Mayor Donat Milartok said mining companies are welcome in his community, but they should talk to the hamlet, as well as the community's hunting and trapping organization about the work they have planned.

"They should also be hiring the local Inuit, and there should be more information coming and more training," said Milartok, speaking in Inuktitut.

Titi Kadluk, an elder and hamlet councillor in Chesterfield Inlet, says unemployment is high in the community community.

Any work provided to the community's youth would be a benefit, Kadluk says, but he also wants the companies to take note of favoured fishing areas.

"We'd like you to be aware about our environment as well," Kadluk said, adding that he is encouraging youth to work with the mining companies.

Rankin Inlet hamlet councillor James Collier listed a number of services the community could offer a company such as six day a week jet service, vehicle and accommodation rentals, as well as expediting services.

But Collier said more information about the type of employment training desired by the companies is needed.

"Basically what we require from you is what you require from us," said Collier.

Views appreciated

Troy Gill, who works with Kennecott Exploration, appreciated hearing views from community members.

Unlike shows in southern Canada, which are more technically focused, Nunavut's symposium offered opportunities for communities to communicate with companies.

"It seems like they've got the right open-mindedness and they've got some expectations, but they don't quite know what's coming," said Gill, whose company does work in the NWT but occasionally works out of Baker Lake.

Conference

economic benefit

Not including the sale of arts and crafts, the conference provided about $200,000 in economic benefit to the community, according to organizers.

About 140 of the event's 200 participants from the mining industry, all levels of government, and Inuit organizations, flew into Rankin Inlet for the weekend.

"Every single hotel room in Rankin is booked," said Mayor Lorne Kusugak.