The Inuit principle of Namminiqsurniq 鈥� being people-centred 鈥� is a topic that will be a focal point of this year鈥檚 Nunavut Mining Symposium, now in its 25th year in Iqaluit.

From April 22-25, Iqalummiut will once again play host to more than 300 delegates attending the conference, which, according to Matthew Clark, chair of the Nunavut Mining Symposium Society, will generate $600,000-$750,000 in direct economic impact to the city.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very happy this year to be back to offering the full鈥� program,鈥� said Clark, alluding to difficulties with flights last year that saw the event reduced by half a day.

鈥淎t the end of the day, our focus is to create connections and common ground with a vision to create the highest quality of life for Nunavummiut and for the resource sector鈥� it鈥檚 an opportunity for all the mines to come together, and there is a lot of conversations among the mines and an opportunity to explore and to learn. New projects, such as uranium mining, will be highlighted.鈥�

鈥淲e have 33 speakers covering a variety of different topics such as devolution, Arctic sovereignty, water licences, and representation from the Inuit,鈥� said Clark, who worked for Baffinland Iron Mines before taking on his current position at the Workers鈥� Safety and Compensation Commission. 鈥淥ur keynote speaker, Crawford Patkotak [chair of the board of Arctic Slope in Alaska] will be drawing on parallels between [Indigenous] groups here and Alaska. I鈥檓 excited to hear what other Indigenous groups have done and what they have overcome.鈥�

Clark also noted that the trade show will once again be opened to the public on April 25 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. In addition, there will be an art market during the evening of April 27 鈥� the Sip, Shop and Sing Evening Meet and Greet 鈥渨here we鈥檙e excited to connect the artists with the delegates.鈥�

The future in Nunavut is strong with mining

Clark expressed his confidence in mining鈥檚 strong future in the territory.

鈥淟ooking to the future of Nunavut, mining is strong [as is the intent] to honour and respect Inuit customs, and work hand-in-hand in progressing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think mining will be very successful in the years to come.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 all about creating those connections and common ground in the resources sector. And it鈥檚 not just about mines 鈥� there are a lot of businesses that support mines, and it鈥檚 about that as well.

鈥淥bviously we鈥檙e excited to be back again this year,鈥� concludes Clark.