Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 17, 2007

SANIKILUAQ - A group of Sanikiluaq students travelled to Clyde River earlier this month to present a creative business idea to a regional trade conference.

Members of Nuiyak School's E-Spirit team were youth exhibitors at a Community Economic Development Week Trade Show and Job Fair on Dec. 5 and 6.

Sanikiluaq student Louisa Sala suits up a conference attendee into the polar bear skin her group brought to Clyde River Dec. 5. - photo courtesy of Peter Iqalukjuak

Chris Kittosuk, Mick Appaqaq, Louisa Sala and Mina Takatak showcased their proposal for Aboriginal Museum Consulting to the crowd, complete with a polar bear skin for the onlookers to try on.

The presentation generated lots of interest, according to Appaqaq.

"We got lots of questions, like how do you make the artifacts," he said.

The group is competing in the Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Their proposed business would support communities who wish "to maintain and begin a museum," Appaqaq said.

The opportunity to travel with a trade conference could help give the group an edge at the national competition later this year, according to Hal Timar, executive director of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce (BRCC).

"That's why we bring the students. The teachers also have a chance to talk to the other teachers and exchange ideas," he said.

The BRCC sponsors E-Spirit teams from Sanikiluaq, Qikiqtarjuaq and Iqaluit to travel between communities during these trade shows, to encourage other youth to participate, he said.

"Youth are the future of Nunavut. The territory has a high percentage of population that is considered youth, and we hope many of them will consider business, or supporting businesses, as a viable career option," he said.

This is the sixth year Sanikiluaq has gotten involved in the competition, according to school principal John Jamieson.

"They'll be heading to Saskatoon in May if they can get their projects prepared," he added.