Dreaming of the open seas
Gjoa Haven man looks to travel the world with career in shipping
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, October 31, 2016
IQALUIT
Pursuing a career in the shipping industry offers Kyle Aglukkaq of Gjoa Haven the opportunity to fulfill all his dreams at once - working with someone he loves, travelling around the world and giving back to his community.
Aglukkaq, 26, is enrolled at the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium's school in Iqaluit.
"I never really thought of getting into this," he said. "I've had opportunities, but with my brother getting on the ship, I thought maybe I could work with him. Work together and travel around Canada together, maybe the rest of the world."
His younger brother, Oliver Porter, has been working on a ship for six months.
"That's a dream job, right? Working with someone you love."
Aglukkaq says he didn't see many boats growing up in Gjoa Haven, as the waters were frozen most of the year.
"But since a few years back we've seen a lot of vessels coming into our community.
"Especially with the Franklin discoveries and the Northwest Passage opening up, we've been getting a lot," he said. "I've always seen the tugs and the barges come in and until recently hadn't see tankers and bigger vessels. That got me interested."
He spent some time working cargo at Hope Bay gold mine, about 125 kilometres south of Cambridge Bay.
"I was working on a support vessel to get the barge in place for the cargo. Then we went over to a tanker barge. They were getting equipment for a mill into the mine site. It got me interested in this type of work," he said.
"I had already applied for this training but I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. But when I got to Hope Bay, I gained a bit of experience, which got me interested. And, now, this is what I want to do."
He knew the work could be dangerous.
"But we're being taught safety with confined spaces, first aid and marine emergency duties. It made me feel more relieved," he said. "Everything they're teaching us is top of the line."
But, for Aglukkaq, it comes down to the ocean.
"I love the ocean. You get on any ship, you love it. It'll take you places. I love travelling.
"I love the work. It's hard work, but it pays. I want to pursue this dream. I want to travel the world. Especially, I want to do it with my brother at my side."
Aglukkaq recommends the consortium's training to anyone hoping to realize similar dreams.
"I encourage everybody to take this. It's a really good opportunity. Especially if they love the ocean, they'll love this."
His classmates range in age from 19 to 44, he notes.
As for concrete goals, Aglukkaq says, "I want my own vessel. I want to get things done back home. I want to help the community grow.
"I want to travel the world first. There's a lot of things I want to accomplish."
