Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (May 30/05) - Kevin Tikivik sees the beauty of Iqaluit and wants to share his passion for his home through his new business, Toonik Eco-Tours.

With guided sightseeing tours, biking and camping in and around the Iqaluit area, Tikivik hopes to get more visitors and residents out on the land he loves so much.

"I grew up here," said the ambitious 23-year-old who had a booth announcing Toonik Eco-Tours at the recent Nunavut Trade Show.

"I've always found peace on the land," he said.

The land was the only place he could go and be himself.

"When I go out there, I realize what a harsh environment it is," he said. "I realized if I don't carry on and share this incredible culture with others, it's going to be lost."

It was his desire to preserve and pass on his Inuit culture that drove Tikivik to dream up Toonik Eco-Tours while he was still a teenager.

Without any money or support it was hard for him to get that idea off the ground.

Financial aid

Then the Kakivak Association - the economic development organization representing the Inuit of the Baffin region - came into the picture.

The group provided Tikivik with start-up funding. That gave him confidence and now all he needs are more people to sign up for guided tours.

There are three different packages available.

Package one will get you out hiking and for a nature walk in and around the stunning Sylvia Grinnell River.

A nature walk around Iqaluit will take you near the "Road to Nowhere." And there is also sightseeing around Nunavut's capital city.

Package two offers a variety of Iqaluit tours, including "show and tells" in Apex and Iqaluit, where tourists can learn the history of each area.

Package three is all about trails and camping.

There is advanced, intermediate and beginner trail riding close to the Sylvia Grinnell River.

It is about more than just getting some great exercise and soaking up scenery, he said.

Tikivik sees this venture as his way of showing respect to his elders.

"I wanted to start a business and gear it towards tourism," he said. "My main goal is to educate people about Inuit culture and beliefs."

Those beliefs include being outside taking it all in.