KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET - If the amount of information and freebies Cape Dorset residents picked up during a recent trade and career fair is any indication, then the event was a success.

The Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce visits about six communities a year along with some 25 organizations to hold a Community Economic Development Week Trade, Service and Career Fair. The event is meant to give communities access to trades and technology, services by territorial and federal organizations as well as non-profit organizations, said Sarah LeBlanc, events manager at the chamber.

The event's success is measured by the turnout and the amount of discussion between students and exhibitors, said LeBlanc.

"As long as it's a good turnout and everybody is increasing their dialogue and making sure that they're having good one-on-one conversation, that sure is a success," she said.

In Cape Dorset, students and residents picked up pamphlets and other free items the organization was giving out, filling up bags they picked up at another table.

The fair also provided Cape Dorset residents with an opportunity to market their crafts. Sheojuk Toonoo was selling a coat she sewed for about $200. She said, through fellow exhibitor Pootoogoo Elee, who translated, that the fair was a good opportunity for her to showcase her work. She added she usually sells her crafts from home but attends gatherings.

"It definitely helps," she said.

Elee was selling jewelry and knitting at the fair.

Cape Dorset resident Mary Joanasie said she came to check everything out.

"I bought a pair of mittens," she said.

The people who come on the trip - 27 earlier this month in Cape Dorset - share the cost of the day trip, making it a cost-effective way of doing the fair, said LeBlanc.

Peter Pitseolak School welcomed the delegates and the visitors and prepared a soup-and-sandwich lunch for about 50 people, a good learning tool for students, said principal Cecil Meade.

"All this exposure builds their confidence for them," he said. "By having people come in from the public and express what a good job they're doing, I think it really builds up their confidence that much better, that much more."

Such career and trade fairs are important for students and the community, said Meade.

"For us, at the school, it is very, very important because our students are exposed to many different trades, they can see where their interests lie," he said. "It's a very, very positive thing for our community and the school here."

Olayuk Akesuk, the hamlet's senior administrative officer, said such fairs are important as it gives the youth and adults alike an opportunity to learn more about career options available and programs they can participate in.

"The community gets an idea of what there is out there and what could be useful and how we can get into those programs," he said.

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