Sanikiluaq Community Economic Development Study

In 2000, Fred Weihs worked with the Sanikiluaq Community Development Committee to develop a community economic development plan and implementation strategy. The study reviewed the nature and organizational capacity of the community economy, identified new economic opportunities, recommended a community organizational structure to generate economic growth, and provided an action plan for implementing the recommendations of the study.

Directed by the Community Development Committee, we conducted research and consultations with various community groups (hunters, artisans, small business, youth, elders), and government. The result was a Strategic Options Report, which identified both broad directions and specific strategies for development, incorporating work initiated in 1999 by the Committee. We then worked with the Committee and community groups to review the Strategic Options Report, identifying priorities and developing implementation strategies. The resulting Interim Report presented community-based recommendations for priority development, recommended community structures to support development, and proposed an implementation framework. Fred Weihs and Charlie Kowcharlie, the community researcher in Sanikiluaq, spent a week working with community organizations on detailed implementation planning. The result was a comprehensive action plan that included steps for implementation of all recommendations, assignment of all follow-up responsibilities to specific organizations, time frames for implementation, and potential funding sources. All materials were provided to the Committee in Inuktitut and English.

After completion of the Sanikiluaq Community Development Study, we helped the Committee to access funding and community development support networks in order to facilitate the implementation of the Plan.

In April 2001, the Sanikiluaq Community Economic Development Study was tabled in the Nunavut Legislative Assembly by the Minister of Sustainable Development, who singled it out for special praise as an outstanding example of a community-based, action-oriented approach to community development.