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Man of many hats Duane Smith's many roles keep him hopping
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, June 6, 2013
INUVIK
Duane Smith would need a rather large hat rack to cover his many roles.
Duane Smith, centre, the chair of the Inuvik Community Corporation, with his son Dawson and daughter Haley after receiving an Indspire award last winter.
photo courtesy of Duane Smith
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The affable, soft-spoken Smith says he doesn't have any problems keeping his many jobs straight or which hat he's wearing at the moment. That's the advantage of more than 20 years of experience in local, national and international organizations dealing with Inuit issues.
Smith is the vice-chair of the board of directors and president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (Canada). He's the vice-chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Smith also serves as vice-president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). That's only a partial listing of his many activities.
He said the secret to his success in his many roles is modern technology.
"You don't have to be in all these places," Smith said, despite a heavy travel schedule that makes him an elusive interview.
Last February, he was also one of the winners in the 2013 Indspire awards. The awards, formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, were established in 1993 to recognize Indigenous professionals and youth who demonstrate outstanding career achievement.
"I was quite surprised myself," Smith said. "I think it was due to my role and involvement for quite a number of years now, not only at the international level but local as well."
He began his career in politics with the Hunters and Trappers Committee, along with Mayor Floyd Roland.
"We both started off together. It was just interest and concern that the organizations were running properly and doing as much as they can for what they were set out to."
"I feel I have a close attachment to the land and the well-being of the ecosystem. We depend on it for part of our culture and our diet, so I want to make sure it's there."
Smith stills spends time on the land during the summer months, keeping in touch with a more traditional lifestyle and culture.
He said he had no idea he'd be nominated for the award.
"It was a very nice surprise, a pleasant surprise, and shows I'm well-respected, I guess. But I don't think it's reflective of only me, it's the people and team around me."
Judging by the writeup included in his award, the Indspire group found him impressive as well.
"He is a strong voice for Inuit peoples as a member of numerous Arctic organizations including co-chair of Arctic Marine Research Program ArcticNet and was a member of the national steering committee recognizing the Canadian International Polar Year," Indspire stated in a biography when he won the award. "Throughout his political life he has been a strong supporter of Arctic land claims, and in doing so has effectively driven initiatives in support of economic improvement in the North. As a committed campaigner for indigenous rights and the environment, he maintains the importance of carrying on traditional knowledge."
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