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PILIRIAKSALIUQATIGIIKNIQ A Conference on the Economy Gjoa Haven, Nunavut June 17 - 19 2002 Sponsored by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) hosted Piliriaksaliuqatigiikniq: A Conference on the Economy on June 17,18,19, 2002 in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. The conference was organized with three objectives in mind: to ensure Inuit are consulted in the Government of Nunavut’s development of an economic strategy; to clarify the roles Inuit play in the economy; to create a plan of collaboration among various participants in the Nunavut economy. The conference achieved its objectives by creating a list of economic development priorities for Nunavut, formulating an Inuit consultation framework and creating an NTI-GN Collaboration Plan. Economic Development Priorities The large group of conference delegates participated in a “mind map” exercise, which involves laying out ideas in a brainstorming session. From this session, the group identified and prioritized (through a voting procedure) the following list: 1. Education 2. Economic Development Agreement 3. Infrastructure 4. Communication 5. Collaboration 6. Housing Inuit Consultation Framework Consultation Components The delegates identified three simple steps for Inuit consultation: the Inuit organizations receive the information, the Inuit organizations are given enough time to consult with the communities and discuss their concerns and finally, the Inuit organizations provide feedback. Some circumstances will warrant collaboration by all stakeholders on a joint timetable to fulfill these three steps. The information must be concise, understandable and translated into Inuktitut. The Inuit organizations must be advised how their comments will be given consideration. Any feedback from the governments to the Inuit organizations and communities must be given in a timely manner. Building trust is critical to the consultation process. All stakeholders should avoid re-inventing the wheel in developing a consultation process and learn from past experiences. NTI should 1 act as the key contact point for consultation. NTI would then be responsible for informing the respective Inuit organization/community. Consultation Constraints One of the most significant constraints is the lack of financial resources. Comprehensive consultative activities are expensive and could go beyond a government’s or Inuit organization’s budgetary parameters. Governments and Inuit organizations have limited human capacity, along with limited financial capacity, to both consult and provide the necessary feedback after consultation. Inuit organizations often face tight timelines to give feedback on a particular matter. A lack of trust or the unwillingness of some parties to build trust can impede the progress of a consultation process. All consultation processes must recognize the significance of culture for Inuit organizations. Collaboration Plan The conference delegates agreed to an NTI-GN collaboration plan whereby Rosemary Keenainak, Assistant Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development and Udloriak Hanson Comeau, NTI’s Director of Business Development would continue work on the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy. The purpose of this collaboration is to ensure that development of the strategy is conducted in a coordinated fashion. The conference delegates expressed concern that communities constantly speak on issues that need attention, however there is no action. This partnership between GN and NTI will attempt to alleviate these concerns. Keith Peterson, the chair of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, will be involved in the discussions surrounding a new federal Economic Development Agreement for Nunavut and a federal Regional Development Agency for the north. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION Conference Objectives 5 DAY 1 – June 17, 2002 PRESENTATIONS Purpose of the Conference – Paul Kaludjak 6 Review of the Nunavut Economic Outlook – Udloriak Hanson Comeau 7 Role of Inuit in the Economy - Paul Kaludjak 7 GN Consultation on Economic Strategy – Rosemary Keenainak, 8 Brock Junkin & David Kritterdluk GROUP DISCUSSIONS Small Group – Successes, Concerns/Issues 8 Large Group – Mind Map 9 ANALYSIS 9 DAY 2 – June 18, 2002 GROUP DISCUSSION Large Group – Economic Development Priorities 10 PRESENTATION Naujaat Challenge – Rosemary Keenainak, Brock Junkin 11 GROUP DISCUSSIONS Small Group – Inuit Consultation 12 Large Group – Consultation Process 13 PRESENTATIONS EDA Report – Alastair Campbell 13 Kitikmeot’s New Vision for Northern Economic Development - 14 Keith Peterson ACTION NTI – GNs’ Collaboration Plan 15 3 GROUP DISCUSSION Large Group – Values 15 ANALYSIS 15 DAY 3 – June 19, 2002 PRESENTATION Nunavut’s Economic Tools – Udloriak Hanson Comeau 16 GROUP DISCUSSION Large Group – Conditions for Successful Collaboration 17 ANALYSIS 18 CONCLUSION 18 APPENDICES Mind Map 21 Results of Mind Map Voting 24 Nunavut’s Economic Tools 25 Piliriaksaliuqatigiikniq Participants 27 4 INTRODUCTION Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) hosted an economic development conference on June 17,18,19 in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. It was entitled Piliriaksaliuqatigiikniq: A Conference on the Economy. This document reports on what happened over the three days – what presentations were made, what issues were discussed, what decisions were reached. It begins with a brief discussion on the purpose and objectives of the conference. The remainder of the report is organized by the activities of each day. It identifies the main themes of the presentations, as well as the achievements of the large and small group discussions. A brief analysis follows each day and a conclusion summarizing the conference findings can be found at the end of the report. Conference Objectives NTI invited all Executive Directors of Regional Inuit Organizations (RIA), Regional Development Corporations, the Community Economic Development Organizations (CEDO’s) and Atuqtuarvik Corporation to take part. Also invited were representatives from Nunavut Chambers of Commerce, the Nunavut Economic Development Association, federal representatives and Government of Nunavut representatives mandated to development an economic development strategy. This conference was organized with three objectives in mind: • To ensure Inuit are consulted in the Government of Nunavut’s development of an economic strategy. • To clarify the roles Inuit play in the economy. Inuit must understand the extent to which they affect economic policy and therefore, craft strategies as major stakeholders in the territory’s economy. • To create a plan of collaboration among various participants in the Nunavut economy. The conference is an opportunity for each party to voice their opinions on developing a sustainable economy. Piliriaksaliuqatigiikniq was also organized so as to identify the major areas for discussion for Nunavut Sivummut II - a larger and more comprehensive NTI economic development conference scheduled for early 2003. This conference is expected to host over one hundred delegates and will mirror the first Nunavut Sivummut conference held in 1994. It will provide a forum for reaction to the 5 Government of Nunavut’s Economic Development Strategy, which is to be released November 2002. Mike Bell served as facilitator (or Group Animator), while Clint Davis recorded the proceedings and prepared the conference report. The conference began on June 16, 2002 with an evening reception at the Amundsen Hotel banquet room and welcoming remarks by the Deputy Mayor of Gjoa Haven, Bob Konana. The Mayor, Joseph Aglukkaq, was away on the land. DAY 1 – JUNE 17, 2002 The first day was devoted to clarifying the purpose of the conference and providing a snapshot of the current state of Nunavut’s economy. PRESENTATIONS Udloriak Hanson Comeau, NTI - Director of Business Development, opened the conference by passing on regrets from Cathy Towtongie, NTI - President for being unable to participate. As conference organizer, Ms. Comeau articulated her thoughts on what she wanted out of the conference: • To give Inuit a voice in developing the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy; • To create an environment that fosters candid dialogue on issues; • To have effective group discussions that generate thoughtful insight on how to address these issues. Purpose of the Conference- Paul Kaludjak, NTI-Vice President of Finance Paul Kaludjak, NTI’s Executive Committee Member who holds the Business and Economic Development Portfolio, made formal introductions and gave a speech on NTI’s view on the purpose of the meeting. He stressed the need to receive input from all participants. He identified the importance of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement (NLCA) and its goal to achieve self-reliance for the Inuit. NTI believes Nunavut economic development should include a mix of traditional land based activities and the wage economy. But, any development requires investment, specifically education and training for Inuit. Mike Bell gave a brief description of how the conference would proceed over the three days by reviewing the agenda and taking questions. 6 Review of the Nunavut Economic Outlook – Udloriak Hanson Comeau Udloriak Hanson Comeau provided a brief overview of the major themes in the Nunavut Economic Outlook by the Conference Board of Canada. The Conference Board of Canada was contracted to conduct a study on the current status of Nunavut’s mixed economy (both the land-based economy and the wage economy) and assess its longer-term prospects. Ms. Comeau identified the

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