Mayor wants to explore new version of Inuvik Works

Inuvik’s new mayor says he wants to examine bringing back a program that employs people “just getting back on their feet” as he begins the job.

Longtime Inuvik resident and former politician Peter Clarkson was elected the town’s mayor earlier this month, defeating incumbent Clarence Wood by 512 votes to 222.

In a pre-election interview with Cabin Radio, Clarkson said strong leadership and pushing infrastructure projects to completion were some of his priorities.

Elaborating on his priorities following his victory, Clarkson said he wants to explore restarting a program similar to Inuvik Works.

When it operated, he said, Inuvik Works helped people living in shelters or who were otherwise struggling to earn money, receive counselling and training, open a bank account and get “back into the workforce.”

“One of my campaign promises was to work with the Indigenous governments to hopefully bring back another program like Inuvik Works,” he said.

“It was a great program. I think people miss it, plus the people working in the program contributed to the community wherever they could. It was needed.”

Inuvik’s latest community wellness plan similarly highlighted the return of Inuvik Works as a possible economic development opportunity.

“There was a desire to revitalize the Inuvik Works initiative,” the plan stated.

“This program encouraged unemployed community members to commit to short-term projects including odd jobs and transportation to participate in the workforce. This was not only about completing work but also about getting people together so they felt proud, productive and confident to move forward.”

The plan noted, though, that “adequate funding” for programs like Inuvik Works was “a concern,” and the town needed enough capacity to pursue the grants needed.

Below, read our full interview with Clarkson following his election.

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This interview was recorded on October 29, 2024. The transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Aastha Sethi: How does it feel being elected mayor?

Peter Clarkson: Good. I was mayor previously [about] 18 years ago so I’m familiar with the town. I mean, it’s a small community so living in the town, you’re familiar with the municipal infrastructure. I think I’m familiar with it.

I’m quite happy. It looks like we have a good council and I think the town right now has some good staff. I mean, there’s going to be some challenges, but it’ll also be good to work with everybody and, I think, move some things forward, create a good working relationship with the Indigenous governments, and work closely with our two MLAs, with the territorial government. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.

Inuvik had an all-candidates forum prior to the election. Did you learn anything through that about the kinds of challenges the town is facing?

Some of the questions were social program questions, which the town isn’t responsible for, but we can play a role in that – working with the different social agencies and the Indigenous groups.

There were also questions about Inuvik’s infrastructure and what was important to people as far as keeping the doors open on the recreation centre and making sure the roads were maintained.

It was long, was three hours that evening, but it was a good process. I think people were there in person, but there were also a number of people that signed in online to participate.

What kinds of social program were mentioned?

There were questions like what could the town do about addictions and homelessness. As a municipality, we don’t have that responsibility – the territorial government and some of the Indigenous governments are taking on that role. But we can certainly work with them, whether it’s providing facilities or town infrastructure – whatever we can.

We’re not responsible for homelessness and we’re not responsible for addictions or counselling, but it’s happening in our community and it’s a concern of community members. So the municipal government can also play a role, even if they’re not 100-percent responsible for those programs.

In what ways would you say the municipal government can play a role in those areas?

Years ago, when I was previously mayor, we had a program called Inuvik Works, which employed people that were just getting back on their feet and maybe even living in one of the shelters.

It gave them some work during the day, an opportunity to earn some money, then maybe some counselling and some other training – maybe opening up a bank account. Inuvik Works was designed to help people who needed help getting back into the workforce.

One of my campaign promises was to work with the Indigenous governments to hopefully bring back another program like Inuvik Works, because it was a great program. I think people miss it, plus the people working in the program contributed to the community wherever they could, whether it was helping Elders, or shovelling walks for Elders, or helping the town set up for some event.

It was needed. That program provided people to work on different things.

During our initial call, you mentioned strong leadership. Is that still your first priority?

I certainly want to contact the other leadership in the community and have what we call a leadership council to share ideas and priorities, work on common goals and common priorities because, I mean, Inuvik is not that big of a community.

I think it’s important that we communicate well and work well with the Indigenous governments and the other leadership groups that may be in town.

What are the first few things you would tackle as mayor?

I think one of the first things is just getting familiar with where some of the programs and some of the projects are at. I think that’s important because there will be questions about those and we’re going to make decisions. We’re going into creating our budget for next year. So, I think probably my first two weeks will be meeting with the staff and just getting briefings on what’s happening and where some of the projects are at, where the new housing development project is at, where some of the infrastructure repairs are at, where the budgets at, and what are the staff pulling together for the budget in the next fiscal year?

Our municipal government budget is from January till the end of December. So, it’s not a fiscal year like the territorial government. We’ll go into some of these budget sessions in November, and hopefully have all that done by the end of December. Then, we are ready for the new year with a new budget.

How do you see your role in the broader issues facing the territory, like economy, climate and other concerns? What kind of voice do you hope to have?

Well, there’s the NWT Association of Communities, which meets annually, as well as their staff in Yellowknife at that association. It’s an opportunity to bring up concerns like climate change that might be a concern with everyone, the effect climate change is having on infrastructure.

And also working closely with our two MLAs, I think, is important and having a good working relationship with them. I think having good working relationships with all levels of government is important.