Recently-elected Mayor Merlyn Recinos comes from an economic development background and he has ambitions to help make Iglulik more self-reliant.
Recinos is determined to form an economic development corporation, to be owned by the community, that would take over construction of local houses, bid for contracts issued by Baffinland Iron Mines, offer employment training, nurture a mini-mall in the old hamlet building and set up a healing centre that would offer cultural healing.
Funding for a feasibility study for this bold venture is coming from the GN. The Canadian 黑料吃瓜网 Economic Development Agency and the Kakivak Association have been approached to help finance the next phase. But it鈥檚 a means to an end, Recinos explained.
鈥淐ommunities can be self-driven. A lot of times we end up waiting for things from the federal and territorial government and we forget that we have the power to do a lot in our communities as well,鈥� he said, adding that Iglulik is home to IsumaTV and some 鈥渆xtremely talented and very cultural鈥� individuals.
Recinos said he wants to keep Inuit culture and language at the forefront, which can also be showcased in tourism opportunities. He foresees the economic development corporation marketing sealskin parkas to sell to high-end shops in China.
鈥淲e want to create an industry that supports the hunter, the person that cleans (the sealskin), the tanner and the seamstress in Iglulik,鈥� he said, adding that the purchase of the parka can be coupled with a trip to Iglulik to experience the community, its people and culture.
Baffinland expansion decision
In regards to the proposed expansion of Baffinland鈥檚 Mary River mine, the mayor said he didn鈥檛 want the municipality arguing for the final say in whether phase two of the mine proceeds. Instead, the hamlet occupies two seats on the Iglulik Working Group. The hunters and trappers association also accounts for two seats with the others being held by an elder adviser, a female adviser, a male adviser and a youth adviser.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e the ones that review the information. They鈥檙e the ones that go into the community, engage the community and bring back thoughts from the community,鈥� Recinos said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e also the ones that look at the technical information. It鈥檚 going to be their advice or their submission that we鈥檙e going to take鈥� it鈥檚 really the community making the decision.鈥�
Recinos entered the mayor鈥檚 office by prevailing among a crowded field in the Oct. 29 municipal election. He finished with 103 votes, more than Joanna Haulli Quassa鈥檚 84, Matt Teed鈥檚 80, Illisapi Haulli鈥檚 50, Peter Ivalu鈥檚 37 and Josiah Kadlutsiak鈥檚 27.
Recinos runs Arctic Fresh, an independent grocery and dry goods supplier, along with his wife Rhoda, who鈥檚 the CEO. He also served as the hamlet鈥檚 economic development officer prior to being elected.
Over the years, he has volunteered his time to assist others in building business capacity, improving their employability skill and helping residents get their driver鈥檚 licence.
