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INUVIK
Matthew Clark knows what he wants in a career.

Matthew Clark is the new manager of Inuvik's Northmart store. - T. Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

"I want to be an entrepreneur, I want to make my own decisions and I want to lead a team," said Clark, the new manager of Inuvik's Northmart, who started in January.

Those are qualities he brought over from a long stint in Canada's navy.

"I spent 22 years in the navy," Clark said. "Then I did a human resources degree."

The navy thing may have come naturally for the native of Lunenburg, N.S. The human resources and retail experience, perhaps not so much.

He worked for the Loblaws chain for several years after graduating. Then, feeling stifled and hemmed in by company policy, he decided to re-think his approach.

He narrowed his list down to several possibilities. Some he rejected because he concluded they would be too much like his situation at Loblaws.

Eventually, he settled on The North West Company, Canada's oldest business. It operates a variety of chains, including Northmart and Northern Stores. Not as well-known is the fact the company also runs a chain in the Caribbean.

Clark said he had no interest in being transferred there, though.

"I don't really like heat."

The North West Company specializes in serving more remote and hard-to-reach areas with most of its stores, including the Caribbean.

"I really felt good about the company," Clark said. "It was very team-oriented and still provides some flexibility and independence."

He worked for a time in Goose Bay, N.L, cutting his teeth on a Northern way of life. After that, he worked in Iqaluit for three years.

Clark said he enjoyed his time there as assistant manager but had some mixed feelings about the community. He said Iqaluit wasn't the happiest of places at times.

Things are different here in Inuvik, where Clark said he's been made to feel very welcome. After arriving in January, he said he can see himself staying here for 10 to 15 years as he finishes up his career.

His wife and children will be joining him in the summer, once the school year is out.

"I don't see any need to leave this store," he said enthusiastically. "It's pretty hard to find a community like this in the North."

For the moment, he plans no huge changes at the local landmark, but he does hope to inject a new dose of enthusiasm and some fresh ideas.

"I'm going to bring in some new kinds of programs and events," he said. "I want to add excitement and fun and give value to the customers."

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