Strengthening Community Engagement in Nunavut: Highlights from the NEDA Conference

The Nunavut Economic Developers Association (NEDA) recently brought together a broad range of participants from the territory, including economic development officers (EDOs) from nearly all of Nunavut’s 25 communities.  

For Gyda Gudmundsdottir, AECO’s head of Community Engagement, the conference was a valuable opportunity to deepen connections with those working with economic development in Nunavut’s communities. “It’s about aligning with the communities’ priorities,” says Gyda. “Tourism needs to contribute to local economies and build partnerships that are responsible and sustainable. In-person conversations like those at NEDA are crucial for making that happen.”

Conversations on Tourism and Community Engagement

AECO’s session titled Expedition Cruise Tourism: What Works and What Can Be Improved?  focused on how tourism operators can approach community visits in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner. It provided examples from AECO’s own initiatives and sparked discussions on the challenges and opportunities of bringing tourism to Arctic communities. The goal: to ensure that tourism in the region supports both local economies and the preservation of cultural identity.

Laura Macfarlane, Chair of AECO’s Community Engagement Committee, shares her perspective from the event: “The conference was an important step in our enhanced community engagement efforts in Canada. We were able to make new connections, strengthen old ones, and meet in person with EDOs who are pivotal partners in their communities as we work to develop responsible partnerships throughout the Canadian Arctic. We have identified a number of action items for the committee as well as in our collaboration with NEDA.”

A Collaborative Future for Nunavut

The NEDA conference was an opportunity to reflect on the role tourism can play in the region’s future. While the discussions were wide-ranging, one theme stood out: collaboration. Whether it’s with community leaders, operators, or other stakeholders, building relationships based on trust and shared goals is key to creating sustainable tourism models that benefit everyone involved.

“Participating in this conference was an important step towards ensuring that expedition cruise operators in Nunavut support local economic growth and closer cooperation with the communities of Nunavut”, concludes Gyda.