Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to tell you today about how my home community of Clyde River is preparing to meet the challenges of Nunavut, particularly in the area of economic development. In view of the necessity for economic growth, a group of my constituents have, over the past two years, banded together to form the Apitak Development Corporation. Named for one of the forefathers of our community, this corporation is comprised of 30 Inuit shareholders who have committed themselves to establishing training and business ventures that at once reflect the desires and the needs of the community and stimulate the economy.
Over the past 18 months, Apitak has established a visitor's centre, taxi services and staff housing for some teachers. It has trained six cooks and four community tourist guides. It has purchased carving stone to sell back to the carvers of the community. It has supported the Prenatal Nutrition Project in the community and has recently taken over the administration of the Igutaq Arts and Crafts Group. It has taken over the POI fuel contract in the community.
In conjunction with Apitak Development Corporation, a tourism industry is developing slowly but surely in Clyde River as well. Qullikkut Guides Ltd, which is owned by a group of hunters from our community, has attracted over $40,000 tourism dollars in the last month alone.
Employing ten men from the community, Qullikkut runs tours dealing with dog team and snowmobile trips in the spring and boat tours in the summer. Visitors are drawn to our community by the spectacular scenery and wildlife such as polar bears and the bowhead whales I mentioned last week. Sam Ford Fiord, in particular, is becoming a world renowned site for the big wall climbers, and a National Geographic team is presently on site making a television production and a magazine article of the area.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that this kind of grassroots community development that is from the people and for the people is the basis upon which Nunavut will come to be a reality. Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude my statement, please.