ARVIAT - Leaders from across the region were in Arviat this past month to attend the annual Kivalliq Mayors Conference.

Arviat MLA Daniel Shewchuk and Arviat Mayor Bob Leonard, right, join federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq for a photo op during the annual Kivalliq Mayors Conference in Arviat in September of 2009. - photo courtesy of Nadine Lamoureux

The gathering was well-attended by all levels of government, including a number of territorial ministers and federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

Rankin Inlet Mayor John Hickes said the Health Canada entourage was quite impressive.

He said the delegates provided a great deal of information on preparations to battle the H1N1 virus this fall, and took the time to answer many of the mayor's questions.

"Really, everybody who is anybody with Health attended," said Hickes.

"They brought us up to speed on the process Nunavut is following to deal with the virus and the majority of the questions were answered to our satisfaction.

"They're still doing research and waiting on the results from testing taking place on the H1N1 vaccine.

"From what I understood, the department has been happy with the results it's seen so far, concerning possible side affects with volunteers who were given the vaccine."

Hickes said the mayors were pleased with the number of Nunavut ministers who attended the conference.

He said the answers given were more straightforward than in the past.

"Maybe they were quite candid in their replies to our questions because they're all new ministers.

"We didn't hear everything we wanted to, of course, in relation to more money and venues for the communities, but, overall, I found their answers to be both positive and encouraging.

"In my opinion, the current ministers are better than what we've had in the past.

"The premier picked people with experience in the portfolios they're working in and that experience shows in the clarity of their answers."

Hickes said his only real disappointment at the conference concerned the information given on federal money being delivered through stimulus programs.

He said nobody could understand what qualifies and what doesn't in regards to accessing any of that money.

"It takes a lot longer to get a project shovel ready in Nunavut than in the south.

"We're seeing many positive works projects underway in the south, but none in Nunavut.

"The mayors did a good job in delivering the message on the reality of infrastructure projects here.

"It's time the feds understood this and developed these programs in a way that's feasible for the North."

Chesterfield Inlet Mayor Harry Tootoo said he was pleased, overall, with how the conference went, but said there's a great deal of infrastructure and program improvements badly needed in the region.

He said from Chester's point of view, one of the top issues he pursued at the conference was a way for his community to benefit from the Kivalliq's blossoming mining industry.

"We don't have a mine near us at all and, even though we do have a couple of people working at mine sites, Chester isn't feeling any real impact from mining yet," said Tootoo.

"We're a perfect location for a marshalling area because we're right at the mouth of the river here and we'd be a perfect feeder area for the mines at Baker Lake.

"If there was a staging area at Chester with a deep sea port, they could start work earlier in the spring, go later into the fall, and store any size ship or barge here throughout the winter.

"So, we see this as a great way our community could really benefit from the Kivalliq mining industry."

Tootoo said he was also pleased with the fact a gravel crusher could be making the rounds of the Kivalliq.

He said Chester, Repulse Bay and Whale Cove all share the same problem, in that they don't have crushers of their own.

"They mentioned they may have a crusher that could spend some time in all three communities.

"That would be a big benefit for our communities, so I hope the government follows through and didn't forget about it as soon as the meetings in Arviat were over."

Tootoo said another big issue he raised at the conference was the lack of youth activities in Chester.

He said more programs and facilities have to be put in place to encourage youth to stay away from other, less-productive activities.

"We really have to see more recreational activities put in place for our youth.

"If youth have a choice between playing sports or getting involved with booze and drugs, 90 per cent of them would go towards sports.

"The lack of youth programming is one of our biggest problems in Nunavut, and the main reason why so many make bad decisions."