INUVIK
Gwich'in and Inuvialuit are formally working together with the creation of Beaufort Delta GP Ltd., a partnership between the Nihtat Gwich'in Council and Northwind Industries.

Northwind Industries vice-president Fred Bailey, left, Nihtat Gwich'in Council president Jozef Carnogursky and Northwind president and CEO Kurt Wainman sign an agreement to form Beaufort Delta GP Ltd. Feb. 12. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

"The economy is tough," said Northwind owner Kurt Wainman.

"We want to keep work local."

The company was formed to work on civil engineering projects including highway construction and maintenance, oil and gas development and exploration, marine and dockside servicing, and remote construction camp facilities and servicing.

The deal was signed Feb. 12 at the Alex Moses Greenland Building, creating the new company, but Wainman said the joint partnership has been in the works for some time.

"It's going to cover quite a bit of everything," said Wainman.

"A lot of construction. You name it, we're going to go for it."

Nihtat president Jozef Carnogursky called Northwind an industry leader in the region and said he was proud to be partnering with the company to form a new entity to better serve community members.

"The Nihtat Gwich'in are happy to announce this partnership and we are excited about the possibilities that it brings moving forward," he said.

"Not only will this new venture bring job opportunities to our members, it will help build capacity at the community level and in the region."

He also noted Nihtat Gwich'in representatives would be headed south in a few weeks to purchase assets, which they will then bring to the partnership.

"On behalf of myself and the entire staff of Northwind Industries, I want to say how extremely pleased we all are to have partnered with president Jozef and the Nihtat Gwich'in Council," said Wainman.

"As equal partners in this venture, we think the possibilities are endless."

Northwind vice-president Fred Bailey noted the deal is a historic one.

"It's significant to have Inuvialuit and Gwich'in working together," he said.

"It's probably a first in history, and it's about time they got together."