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RANKIN INLET
Sustainability was the focus of learning and dialogue for a number of Nunavummiut this past month.

Michelle Harradence, left, chairperson of the Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference Nunavut tour group, enjoys some country food with elder Lizzie Putulik during a visit to Coral Harbour this past month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

The topic was the banner under which work groups for the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference (GGCLC) canvassed the country in June.

The tour brings together 230 of Canada's future leaders from business, labour, government and aboriginal communities every four years.

This year's theme was sustainable communities and leadership.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s director of Human Resources Jane Aupaluktuk of Rankin Inlet was selected to accompany the GGCLC's Alberta tour group.

The group started with an opening plenary session in Halifax, N.S., followed by nine days in Alberta and concluding with a closing plenary in Ottawa, Ont.

Aupaluktuk said the conference was awesome.

She said a great variety of hosts were included, from the Government of Alberta to First Nations, Metis and a Hutterite colony.

"It was a hectic schedule," said Aupaluktuk.

"We were in a different place every day and every night."

Aupaluktuk said participants in the tour groups presented a report to the Governor General at the conclusion of their trips.

She said her group identified what they found to be sustainable people, communities and projects, as well as the types of leadership they demonstrate.

"It really educated me further as to how sustainable communities can be created and maintained through dialogue at all levels.

"It showed me we have to do a lot more for our elders and youth in Nunavut.

"I established contact with a lady involved in a fourth annual global rural soccer gathering in Argentina.

"I'm connecting them with individuals in Nunavut who are very active in soccer to help our youth gain more understanding and have more exposure to the southernmost point of the Americas."

Another point Aupaluktuk is going to look into is a declaration for seniors or elders in Nunavut.

She said the trip also showed her just how important resiliency is to creating and maintaining sustainable communities.

"We have to be very resilient as Inuit and Nunavummiut in order to sustain ourselves and create a better life for ourselves, our children and our elders.

"We did a tour of the oil sands in Fort McMurray, and aboriginal communities like Fort McKay, and one thing I could relate to is the role Inuit have in voicing their opinion on the mining industry.

"We're doing that right in voicing our concerns on the environment and how that kind of industry will affect our people and communities.

"The Nunavut Impact Review Board is a great avenue that both we and the industry use to create dialogue."

Aupaluktuk said more Nunavummiut should learn about the GGCLC.

She said people in their late 20s to 30s should apply to the GGCLC to get exposed to what's happening in the rest of the country.

"The calibre of the participants was really high and I gained a lot of respect for them.

"I learned from them and, as the only Inuk in the group, they learned from me.

"There were only about 15 to 20 aboriginals in the whole conference.

"So, I would strongly encourage more Inuit to apply."

Rankin Coun. Jackson Lindell met with the group that spent eight days in Nunavut, including Rankin and Coral Harbour, exploring the issues of community sustainability and leadership.

Lindell said it's always good when potential leaders get a better understanding of the North.

He said if any of the group does, one day, occupy office at the provincial or federal level, they might be more likely to help Nunavut address its challenges.

"This was an opportunity to network with these people and their respective industries or areas, said Lindell.

"I was asked, as a councillor, what our community needed during the next few years to sustain itself both economically and socially.

"I gave my opinions, without knowing where they were going to go, but I don't know what impact that had."

He said increasing knowledge is always positive, especially to anyone who may want to take on a leadership role someday.

"If you want to become a leader in your community, territory or even nationally, it's good to expand your horizons and become accustomed to the rest of Canada.

"So I'd recommend this to anyone interested in leadership at any level."

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