Tuktoyaktuk (Oct 30/06) - When someone says 'economic development' in the North, many people think of oil and gas.

Without even mentioning the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project, there is a variety of activity - such as drilling, transportation, construction and residential heating - which produces or depends on petrol to create jobs.

Carver Jim Raddi has sold his work to clients in Germany, Japan and Australia. He is a good example of traditional skills meeting new business ideas, said Tuktoyaktuk's Economic Development Officer Paul Hussey. - photo courtesy of Paul Hussey

But 'economic development' also applies to people like Paul Raddi, who sells his art internationally.

Raddi, who lives in Tuktoyaktuk, said he learned to carve in 1958.

He has now sold his work to people in Switzerland, Germany, Japan and Australia, as well as Yellowknife and southern Canada.

In many ways, Raddi's story is the kind Paul Hussey likes to hear.

He is Tuktoyaktuk's Economic Development Officer, and said traditional knowledge is important to the local economy.

In a region where pipeline delays and absent ice roads can harm the economy, he said it's important for the community to nurture different industries - and sometimes realize that traditional staples can be a good business investment. "I certainly agree that oil and gas is important. It is essential to prepare for the expected employment and small business opportunities associated with future oil and gas development. I cannot overstate that fact," he said in a telephone interview Oct. 18." But we also need to diversify our economy."

One example of a viable small business is big game guiding and outfitting, said Hussey.

He said tourists often come to the region to hunt muskox, wolves, wolverines, grizzly bears and polar bear.

"Outfitters... take people out on the land, provide transportation, set up camp, offer traditional foods - all these things are part of the product they offer," he said of the entrepreneurs involved.

"People have traditionally lived off the land and it seems they are finding new ways of doing that."

Hussey added that Inuvialuit tradition also continues with other types of business, including arts and crafts, which are always popular with both locals and visiting tourists.

As hunting and carving are important local businesses, Hussey said the decline of the caribou will have ill effects.

"There is an impact to the traditional economy," he said. "It interferes with people's ability to put food on the table."

He stands by his view that a diverse economy is the best long-term strategy for Tuktoyaktuk.

"We need something which is more diversified. This can mean tourism, community logistics, contractors, airplanes, barges, oil and gas etc. There is plenty of opportunity," he said.