David Ryan
Northern News Services
Monday, February 5, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Naomi MacCallum is taking something home with her from a recent trip to Saskatoon, Sask.

The 25-year-old general manager of Ivalu Ltd. in Rankin Inlet, is bringing back ideas about building the economy in her community after attending the National Symposium to Focus on Aboriginal Economic and Development Conference from Jan. 23 to 25.

She was one of three Nunavummiut youth selected to attend the event along with Peter Tatatuapik of Arctic Bay, and Wynter Kuliktana of Kugluktuk.

"I'm bringing back some great ideas," MacCallum said.

The focus of the conference was building aboriginal business opportunities and the trio was able to take part in a number of panel discussions and workshops with the 700 other delegates, she said.

Sessions on creating and maintaining a business were extremely valuable, especially as general manager of arts and crafts-based Ivalu, she said.

After learning more about economic opportunities and development, MacCallum is hoping to speak with other youth in the Kivalliq region in the future, she said.

Sharing ideas with other Inuit in the North is important, said Kuliktana.

The 19-year-old administrative assistant with the Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation, said she left the conference feeling it was a beneficial learning experience and hopes to pass knowledge on to other youth.

The highlight for the Kugluktuk resident was meeting the premiers of Manitoba, B.C. and the NWT along with Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine.

"They struck up some really interesting conversations and I caught myself so drawn to them," she said.

"Having them there showed their interest in Aboriginal economic development," she said.

After attending the conference, Kuliktana felt she learned development and overcoming social challenges often go together, she said.

"Social issues cannot improve without education and economic development within our communities," she said.

The Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation sponsored the three youth delegates so they could attend the conference.