Former Iglulik mayor Celestino Uyarak is accustomed to bringing parties together and finding resolutions.

He figured he could put those skills to work as a knowledge holder and community relations guide with Baffinland Iron Mines, a role he took on last October.

SA国际影视传媒淚 thought I could get feedback to help out the relationship between the community and the mine,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he has experience interacting with community working groups, mining representatives and the hunters and trappers organization, among others.

He also wants to engage youth in learning about employment options within the industry.

SA国际影视传媒淭he community has more opportunity in the future for our young people,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Overall, he said his impression is that most Iglulik residents are supportive of the Mary River iron mine, but he acknowledged that some of them have concerns about protecting the land and the water.

He hopes a community committee can be formed with delegates from the municipality, the hunters and trappers and other organizations to address issues surrounding mining activities.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 very important to have working groups in each community,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Uyarak said he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 mind being called upon at any time by those who have questions about the mining operation. If he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 know the answer immediately, heSA国际影视传媒檒l endeavour to find out and get back to people.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think ISA国际影视传媒檓 very comfortable doing that,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Udlu Hanson, BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 vice-president of community and strategic development, called Uyarak an important voice in the community.

SA国际影视传媒淗e is very approachable which allows him to connect easily with his fellow community peers. He is also well known and well respected in his community for his long history of public service as mayor and assistant senior administration officer,SA国际影视传媒� said Hanson. SA国际影视传媒淗e is still very active in the community. He is also well known for his generosity, his volunteerism and his commendable need to give back. Most recently, Celestino has been involved in a wellness programs supporting men in Iglulik.SA国际影视传媒�

Uyarak is one of several Baffinland employees serving in a knowledge holder and community relations guide position. He and his colleagues in Pond Inlet, Sanirajak and Arctic Bay hold weekly video conferences to give each other advice. Clyde River also has a similar position.

SA国际影视传媒淭he communication between us is good,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Baffinland stated that the positions are designed to enhance communications and increase transparency.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Inuit knowledge holders are grounded in Inuit ways, customs, traditions, and ceremonies. They will share their knowledge with Baffinland teams, to ensure the company provides tailored, relevant and culturally appropriate services in their communities,SA国际影视传媒� Baffinland says of the job description. SA国际影视传媒淭hey will also contribute to the review and development of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) documentation and will support a continuous integration of IQ in our operations and interactions.

SA国际影视传媒淭he community relations guides are skilled in hunting and harvesting, and have a deep understanding of local wildlife, in addition to having knowledge and perspective on the socio-economic state of their community. They will provide advice to Baffinland leaders to enhance effective community relations, liaising directly with residents of their community to discuss any concerns, and responding to questions about BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 operations. In concert with Inuit knowledge holders, they will pass on what Elders have shared with them over the years, in relation to a variety of environmental and wildlife topics, as well as people, careers and training activities.SA国际影视传媒�

When he decided to accept the job with Baffinland, Uyarak was aware that he might be labelled a SA国际影视传媒渟elloutSA国际影视传媒� to industry by some people in Iglulik. He said heSA国际影视传媒檚 faced criticism in other roles in the past.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 quite used to that. Before I took this role, when I was with the management with the hamlet, I had the same thing. Also working for search and rescue, I had the same response. Also as the mayor, and now with Baffinland. But I still have to move forward.SA国际影视传媒�