A power struggle has intensified between a small local business and a major utility over who owns the rights to the name 'Naka.'
Naka Electric is an Indigenous-owned, local contractor for surface and underground mining. Its owner, Karel Pekelsky, says the similarly named SA国际影视传媒楴aka Power NWTSA国际影视传媒� has led to consumer confusion, which is having an effect on Naka Electric.
The problem was big enough for him to obtain legal counsel and file for a judicial review, according to a statement Pekelsky sent to SA国际影视传媒 on Nov. 28.
"The coexistence of SA国际影视传媒楴aka Power NWTSA国际影视传媒� has created undue hardship for myself, our young family, and my business," he contended.
The statement says Pekelsky registered the company 'Naka Electric' in March 2021, and it has been in good standing with the NWT Corporate Registries since. Meanwhile, Naka Power, which used to be called Northland Utilities, got its new name in April 2024.
Pekelsky's statement also notes that he has yet to see any resolution or an update from NWT Corporate Registries about this conflict. The document explains that he was contacted by Denedeh Investments Incorporated, co-owner of Naka Power, multiple times in March 2024, requesting written consent for the use of 'Naka' for three different business names.
Apparently, Naka Power's other co-owner, ATCO, also got involved.
"A representative for ATCO came to my home unannounced with consent forms in hand. I clearly stated I was not willing to sign anything until I received legal counsel," according to Pekelsky's account.
In a statement to SA国际影视传媒, Darrell Beaulieu, CEO of Denendeh Investments Incorporated, said the Naka name was selected in consultation with Indigenous leaders.
"Our company went through the proper process of registering the new company name with corporate registries and was approved at the time, but over the past several months some of the business name registrations have been challenged," his statement adds. "The current registered business names are Naka Power Utilities (Yellowknife) and Naka Power Utilities (NWT)."
Beaulieu did not mention whether the business name SA国际影视传媒楴aka PowerSA国际影视传媒� has also been registered. In a follow-up comment, he said the company's application was filed to register SA国际影视传媒淣aka Power.SA国际影视传媒� but it was conditional upon the consent of Naka Electric.
"Naka Electric refused to consent. So, an application was then filed to register 'Naka Power Utilities,' which was approved by corporate registries because [it] was more distinctive. However, Naka Electric has challenged that decision."
According to Pekelsky's statement, he contacted and received a response from Premier and Justice Minister R.J. Simpson about this situation as well.
"I am advised by the registrar that the business name SA国际影视传媒楴aka PowerSA国际影视传媒� has not been approved for registration, as it was too similar to SA国际影视传媒楴aka Electric,'" Simpson is quoted as saying.
Simpson added that SA国际影视传媒楴aka Power (Yellowknife)SA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒楴aka Power (NWT)SA国际影视传媒� have been approved because of the distinctive elements in those names.
"I am advised by the registrar that corporate registries is aware of the concerns of ATCO/Northland Utilities using the name SA国际影视传媒楴aka PowerSA国际影视传媒� and they will be taking steps to address the matter," Simpson's statement reads.
SA国际影视传媒 reached out to the premier to ascertain whether these comments were accurate. On Dec. 3, his office confirmed that he has spoken with Naka Electric but would not comment any further.
SA国际影视传媒 was also scheduled to interview Jay Massie, vice-president of Northern development and Indigenous relations at ATCO. Among the questions SA国际影视传媒 hoped to ask were how much rebranding to 'Naka Power' cost and how much a person's power bill contributed to paying for that name change.
About 30 minutes before the interview was scheduled to take place, Massie cancelled and SA国际影视传媒 received the aforementioned statement from Beaulieu instead.
