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A Brazilian in Nunavut
By Leila Monteiro Lins | Sotaque Brasileiro, Number 5, Summer 2004
With a population of nearly thirty thousand inhabitants in 26 communities in an area that, along with the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, account for one third of the country, Nunavut is the newest territory created in northern Canada. The official languages are English, French and Inuktitut..
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Edson (Ed) Akio Maruyama, paulista, a single thirty-year-old, arrived in Oakville, Ontario, in the second half of 2002 to study Telecommunications Management. He decided to move to the capital of Nunavut, Iqaluit, on the advice of a friend, after having made numerous unsuccessful attempts to get a job in Toronto. Lured by the Inuit culture (aboriginal/natives were the first people to inhabit the northern region of Canada) and the development potential of the region, Edson made a series of contacts and was eventually hired by an Internet provider in town.
Land of the Midnight Sun
"In Iqaluit we have two well defined seasons. In the summer we have sun until almost midnight. It's a great experience, although the average temperature is around 12C, with a maximum of around 26C. In the winter, with temperatures reaching -42C without considering the added drop from the wind, the days get shorter. Although it's fun to ride a snowmobile, widely used as a means of transport here, it's difficult to cope with the wind in the face with a wind-chill temperature of -50 C." said Ed Maruyama.
Transport
With the lack of roads and maritime infrastructure linking the communities, charter flights have become a large part of a working transportation system. Nunavut is investing in the infrastructure of airports in the various communities, as well as expanding the capacity of the airport in Iqaluit. The flight from Iqaluit to Ottawa takes about three hours and costs between $800 one-way and $1,600 for a return trip.
"During the summer, when the bay is unfrozen, cargo ships are used, "sea-lifts," which brings much of the material imported from the south to supply the city. Eventually passenger ships also arrive, but the main route of entry and exit is certainly by air," says Ed.
Leisure and Cost of Living
The six thousand inhabitants of Iqaluit have the option between two entertainment theaters, various bars and coffee houses, complete with live performances by various types of bands.
"What I love to do in my spare time is hiking, snowmobiling around the city and I also enjoy good fishing," emphasizes Maruyama.
Virtually everything that is consumed in Nunavut is imported from the south, which makes the final price of the product very high due to transportation costs.
According to Ed Maruyama, you can find everything in Iqaluit. "I can buy the ingredients to make sushi, just imagine! My fascination with oriental food comes from my Japanese ancestry."
Chinese food buffet costs $20 dollars. Hamburgers and cheese sandwiches with chips, without a drink, will go for $15. Ed states his preference to arctic char, a salmon-like fish widely consumed in the north.
Business Opportunities
Health professionals, nurses and physicians are in high demand, as well as activities related to the provision of such services. Construction and mining are also in great demand, even though the work is carried out only during the summer months.
The tourist area deserves special attention. Nunavut attracts tourists from around the world. About 18 thousand people visit the new territory annually. Among the tourism activities developed in the region are eco-tourism, hunting, fishing, cultural and educational adventures.
International recognition
More than 27 percent of the population of Nunavut is involved with the production of art. Many of the artists living in different territories have received international recognition in the areas of television, radio, sculptures, print and film. An excellent example was the award-winning film - Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner.
The Government of Nunavut has adopted a collaborative approach to accelerate economic development planning: a joint effort between government, Inuit organizations and the private sector. And the results have been confirmed as successful according to data presented in the official government website (www.gov.nu.ca).
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