Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Sakku Corporation Join Arctic Co-operatives Limited and Desgagnés Transarctik in NSSI Partnership
Iqaluit, NU – Mr. Harry Flaherty, President of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC), Mr. Patrick Tagoona, President and CEO of Sakku Investments Corporation (Sakku) and Mr. William (Bill) Lyall, President of Nunavut Sealink & Supply (NSSI) and Arctic Co-operatives Limited (ACL) are pleased to announce the joint agreement that will see QC and Sakku Investments Corporation acquire ownership interest in the Iqaluit-based maritime carrier NSSI. These investments by QC and Sakku in NSSI provide the Inuit beneficiaries of the Qikiqtani and Kivalliq Regions with shares and voting board positions with the leading sealift service provider in Nunavut and are consistent with their common objectives to become major contributors to all segments of a viable economy in Nunavut. In a statement, Mr. Flaherty said “Qikiqtaaluk Corporation is proud to be an active and dependable partner for both Inuit and companies that are developing or looking to develop sustainable business in Nunavut.”
Nunavut is poised for rapid economic and employment growth due, in part, to the remarkable potential for natural resources that the territory holds. This fact was noted by Mr. Tagoona, and NSSI is another example of a partnership that “…will provide Sakku with an opportunity to share in the wealth of our land, while providing necessary services to the mining industry”.
The addition of QC and Sakku to the ownership group of NSSI was hailed by Mr. Lyall when he said; “The existing partners of NSSI welcome Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Sakku Investments Corporation to the ownership group and are looking forward to working co-operatively to develop our common business and social interests and is an extension of the “Common Sense” nature that forms the foundation of the NSSI partnership.”
Members of the media are invited to attend at the Hotel Arctic, Iqaluit on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.
-30-
For more information, contact (alphabetical):
Arctic Co-operatives Limited
VP, Merchandising & Logistics, Duane Wilson
Toll-Free: 1-800-787-0559
1645 Inkster Blvd
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2X 2W7
Email: mpr@arcticco-op.com
Website: www.arcticco-op.com
Nunavut Sealink & Supply
General Manager, Waguih Rayes
Toll Free: 1-866-732-5438
1121 Mivvik St. P.O. Box 697
Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0
Email: nssi.iqaluit@arcticco-op.com
Website: www.arcticsealift.com
Qikiqtaaluk Corporation
Toll Free: 1-888-979-4047
PO Box 1228 Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0
Email: info@qcorp.ca
Website: www.qcorp.ca
Sakku Investments Corporation
PO Box 188 Rankin Inlet, Nunavut X0C 0G0
Phone: 1-867-645-2805
Email: investments@qiniq.com
Website: www.sakkuinvestments.ca
Backgrounder (alphabetical):
Arctic Co-operatives Limited (ACL) is a service federation owned by 31 Independent member-owned Co-operatives in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Co-operatives in Nunavut represent the interests of thousands of local Inuit members, and provide an important source of income for hundreds of Nunavut families through employment, the purchase of arts and crafts, furs and other economic activities. Arctic Co-op’s mission is to be the vehicle for service to, and cooperation amongst, the local Independent Co-operatives, providing leadership and expertise to develop and safeguard the ownership participation of community members in local businesses and commerce, for these to maintain control over their own destiny.
Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. (DTI), a Subsidiary of ‘Groupe Desgagnés’, is a maritime shipping company with vast expertise in Arctic Sealift operations. DTI deploys specialized and dedicated human and material resources, to manage the Arctic Resupply operations and related services. It applies modern heavy-lift, ice-class cargo ships to support NSSI’s growing cargo volumes, and ensures a level of operational performance that meets or exceeds its clients’ expectation.
Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI) is a proud leader in the Arctic Sealift industry, and a partnership formed between Arctic Co-ops and Desgagnés Transarctik in 2000, to provide quality services to Nunavut sealift users. Its modern fleet of heavy-lift, large-tonnage vessels provides service to Nunavut communities, government, individuals and business. NSSI has a long history of successful operations in the Canadian Arctic, delivering cargo of all types economically, safely and reliably.
Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) is a wholly Inuit owned birthright development corporation created by the Baffin Region Inuit Association (now called the Qikiqtani Inuit Association). QC’s purpose is to provide direct employment and financial opportunities for Inuit within and outside the Qikiqtani region. QC aims to become a major contributor to all segments of the Nunavut economy. By balancing tradition with innovation, QC strives to improve the social and economic well-being of all people in the Qikiqtani region by investing in or creating sound financial opportunities.
Sakku Investments Corp. (Sakku) is a for-profit organization owned by the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA). Under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, KIA is a designated Inuit organization with significant responsibilities for claim implementation, with Sakku serving as its ‘economic arm’ and deemed an Inuit Birthright Corporation. The Mission of Sakku is to build a viable and healthy economy for the Inuit of the Kivalliq region. Since its incorporation in 1989, Sakku has met its Mission primarily through partnership and technology transfers with other corporations.
