EditorSA国际影视传媒檚 note: The interview for this story took place prior to BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 announcement that 586 contract employees were being laid off. Hanson was contacted again after that news came out but she deferred to another Baffinland executive for comment. 

Udlu Hanson has heard many people express surprise that she joined a mining company.

SheSA国际影视传媒檇 spent many years defining and fighting for Inuit rights and benefits, including as a chief negotiator with land claims organization Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI). ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 still part of what she does in her latest role, she says.

SA国际影视传媒�Unless we have Inuit in every different sector promoting Inuit rights and benefits then it will be status quo. WeSA国际影视传媒檒l continue have people from the south filling positions,SA国际影视传媒� says Hanson, who accepted the role of Baffinland Iron MinesSA国际影视传媒� vice-president of community and strategic development in June. SA国际影视传媒淭he decisions that my department makes, that I represent, will always be based on benefitting Inuit through employment, training, jobs and support to the communities.SA国际影视传媒�

Another condition of her employment is that Oakville, Ont.-based Baffinland would increase its presence in Nunavut.

SA国际影视传媒淚qaluit is going to see a huge expansion of the office, especially if phase two (of the mine plan) is approved,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to see a huge presence in Nunavut.SA国际影视传媒�

Hanson grew up at ease with industry. Her father ran a construction and heavy equipment firm in Apex, outside Iqaluit. She started sweeping floors as an 11-year-old. Then she made regular trips to the post office and answered the office phones.

SA国际影视传媒淏efore I knew it, I was running the business as office manager,SA国际影视传媒� she recalls. SA国际影视传媒淚t was a lot of work ethic that was instilled in me at a young age. I learned what it meant to put food on the table through hard work, dedication and a lot of passion.SA国际影视传媒�

She fondly recalls going on weekly camping trips with her family as a girl and playing outside in Apex until her fatherSA国际影视传媒檚 whistled caused her sisters to come running home at night.

SA国际影视传媒淭he simplest things brought the most pleasure and wonderful memories,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

She earned a business administration degree from Okanagan College and a bachelor of education from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont.

She spent time as an economic development officer with NTI and also served as deputy minister of Economic Development and Transportation with the Government of Nunavut.

Baffinland has spent much of the past couple of years trying to advance its stage two proposal.

It would entail an increase to 12-million tonnes of iron ore annually, up from the current six million tonnes, as well as the associated rise in shipping. There would also be a 110-km railway stretching from Mary River to Milne Inlet. The concept has created apprehension from some Qikiqtani residents regarding impacts on wildlife.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are environmental concerns when youSA国际影视传媒檙e involved in a mining operation, most definitely. We canSA国际影视传媒檛 overlook them or pretend they donSA国际影视传媒檛 exist. We canSA国际影视传媒檛 also try to minimize peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 concerns. If they have concerns we want to hear them,SA国际影视传媒� says Hanson. SA国际影视传媒淲e should be held accountable, not just during the permitting process but on a daily basisSA国际影视传媒� the only way I could be working for Baffinland is to believe that the company is trying to do the work that they do in an environmentally sustainable way.SA国际影视传媒�

The time and resources devoted to this second phase of the mine has not allowed Hanson to devote more of her attention to advancing community initiatives.

SA国际影视传媒�ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been a little trying at times,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut weSA国际影视传媒檙e doing well and managing and after this is completed weSA国际影视传媒檒l be able to focus 100 per cent of our time on (community development).SA国际影视传媒�

In the coming months, with support from existing Baffinland community liaison officers in Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Iglulik and Hall Beach and a growing number of community resource coordinators, Hanson plans to reinforce the benefits that are available such as the wildlife compensation fund, harvesters enabling program, marine research equipment program, scholarships, school lunch program, summer camp and the community wellness program.

SA国际影视传媒�We (want to) have communities that are really thriving and taking full advantage of all the benefits that the company could be offering,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

Hanson, whose office is in Iqaluit, says some of the common feedback she hears in the communities pertains to jobs and training, the contracting of Inuit firms and royalties.

SA国际影视传媒�Inuit employment is really important. If we could increase our employment to more representative levels (of Inuit) SA国际影视传媒� I know every organization in Nunavut is trying to do the same,SA国际影视传媒� she says. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 obviously the quickest and easiest way to make a difference in somebodySA国际影视传媒檚 home is to have them employed with your organization.SA国际影视传媒�

She had the pleasure of being part of a Baffinland delegation that travelled to Arctic Bay in August and made a $50,000 donation toward the Arctic Bay reopening of the Tununirusiq Daycare, closed for several years.

Hanson says a community member approached the mining companySA国际影视传媒檚 CEO and a poignant moment ensued.

SA国际影视传媒淪he extended her hand and said, ISA国际影视传媒檓 so happy that you guys came to our community and youSA国际影视传媒檙e supporting us. She said, SA国际影视传媒業 have a number of friends and family who work with Baffinland.SA国际影视传媒� As corny as it sounds it does put a lump in your throat. It was wonderful to hear,SA国际影视传媒� says Hanson. SA国际影视传媒淲e know weSA国际影视传媒檙e not perfect. We know weSA国际影视传媒檝e got a long way to go.SA国际影视传媒�