Thrift store, employment program return to Inuvik, N.W.T.

Inuvik, N.W.T., will soon see the reopening of a thrift store and a program to employ people and help them build their resumes.

The Next to New thrift store and the Inuvik Works program were priorities for Mayor Peter Clarkson when he was elected last fall. He identified both as important for the community after hearing feedback from the community during his campaign.

"It was a great program that really helped a lot of people," said Clarkson.

"It kind of helped people get back on their feet and give them meaningful employment but it also helped many organizations and elders in the community."

Inuvik Works interim manager Patricia Davison said the response has been positive from the community.

"Everybody is so excited, everybody I talk to. They either have items to donate to the Next to New store, [or] they have jobs," she said.

"I have had calls from elders and others who want snow cleared off roofs and things like that. The partners I have been meeting with and potential funders, everyone is excited to have the project back," said Davison.

Both programs will run out of their former homes in the John Wayne Kiktorak building located on Berger St., beside the Inuvik Centennial Library.

Davison said the thrift store will have a process in place for donating goods to be sold, instead of the old system where a bin was left outside for items. She says that starting in April there will be an online form for people to fill out if they want to donate something. 

"And then once we receive that form we will set a date to either pick up the stuff or get it dropped off," said Davison.

The first job for the Inuvik Works crew will be cleaning out the building where the store will be. Davison says the space will be used in a way to better serve the community who want to shop at the thrift store.

"We've expanded it out, there will be lots more room," she said as she showed off a large room inside the building.

Clarkson said the program helps residents build skills.

"It basically hired people that were having a tough time entering the job market — maybe they didn't have ID or a bank account, or have worked enough to create a resume," he said.

Clarkson said the return of the Inuvik Works program and the thrift store will help build on Inuvik's "positive vibe."

"It's already a great community but there are some things that we can do to even make it better, for residents and visitors."