West Kitikmeot Resources Corp

08/31/2026

WKR announces a new cooperation agreement with Sikuki Nuuk Harbour A/S (Port of Nuuk) and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation - Arctic Economic Development Corporation (Port of Qikiqtarjuaq).

The agreement strengthens cooperation between the three ports in support of maritime resilience, emergency response, vessel support, supply chains, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

WKR's Kassidy Koaha Laube and Elliot Holland are en route to Nuuk this week to join Nunavut Tunngavik's trade mission to Greenland, along with colleagues from Nunavut's major infrastructure projects, Regional Inuit Associations, and the Government of Nunavut.

08/31/2026

WKR is pleased to announce our newest member of the team, Luke Ayaligak!

Meet Luke Ayaligak — Kugluktuk Community Liaison Officer

Born and raised in Kugluktuk, Luke is WKR's representative in the community — someone who's there first and foremost to listen. A local artist and community-minded, proactive individual, Luke is passionate about empowering others, creating opportunities, and contributing to a stronger community. He takes initiative in supporting local recreation and food security, volunteering his time to bring people together and make a positive difference in his community. Like many people in the Kitikmeot, Luke has his own perspectives and questions about development in the region, which is why his role matters: as a community member, he is here to listen to fellow community members, help share their perspectives with WKR, and help people better understand the Grays Bay Road and Port Project. Positive, approachable, and a genuine listener, Luke brings an open mind and a strong connection to the community.

Welcome to the team, Luke!

08/17/2026

WKR is pleased to announce our newest member of the team, Baba Pedersen!

Meet Baba Pedersen — Senior Advisor, Community Relations

A proud family man and lifelong Kugluktuk resident, Baba brings decades of Northern service to our team. He’s a member of the Kugluktuk Ranger Patrol — a Canadian Ranger since 1993 — and a dedicated volunteer with Kugluktuk Search and Rescue and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. He also served as a Resource Management Officer with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada before retiring in 2024. Baba is a leader in the community and has his own concerns about development in the Kitikmeot Region but sees clear and lasting benefits from the Grays Bay Road and Port Project if it’s done right. And while he's advising WKR, Baba is first and foremost working on behalf of his community and family — to make sure the Project delivers benefits that all Kitikmeot Residents can see.

Welcome, Baba!

07/24/2026

Exciting Employment Opportunities with West Kitikmeot Resources Corp!

West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. (WKR) is growing, and we’re excited to announce that we are hiring for two new positions:
• Communications Specialist
• Regulatory Specialist

As the Grays Bay Road and Port Project continues to advance through the regulatory review process, we are expanding our team to support the next phase of this exciting project.

The Communications Specialist and Regulatory Specialist will both report to our Environment Manager, Gavin Law.

The Communications Specialist will work closely with our Community Engagement Leader, Kassidy Koaha Laube, to ensure Kitikmeot communities, partners, governments, and the public receive clear, accurate, and timely information about the Project. This role will also support media relations, government correspondence, website management, and public communications.

The Regulatory Specialist will play a key role in supporting permitting and impact assessment processes, coordinating technical submissions, and helping WKR meet its commitments to regulators, Inuit organizations, and Kitikmeot communities as the Project moves forward.

We are seeking motivated individuals who are passionate about contributing to a project that has the potential to create lasting benefits for the Kitikmeot region. If you’re looking to join a collaborative team and help shape one of Canada’s most significant northern infrastructure projects, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your resume to [email protected].

Please refer to the job advertisements below for full position details, qualifications, and application deadlines.

07/24/2026

Yesterday WKR staff visited the Port Of Nome, Alaska and toured the initial landside construction works for Phase 1A of the port modification and expansion project.

The Port of Nome is the closest deep-water port to Grays Bay heading west through the Northwest Passage and Bering Strait. It is a highly successful example of a multi-use Arctic port, with community, mining, security, and tourism traffic. The expansion now underway, with significant indigenous participation, will further strengthen its role as the USA's premier Arctic port.

Sincere thanks to the City of Nome (Port Director Joy Baker, Mayor Ken Hughes, and City Manager Lee Smith), the Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) (VP Larry Pederson), and the US Army Corps of Engineers (Deputy Chief Jathan Garrett). We greatly appreciated your hospitality, enthusiasm, and openness.

07/22/2026

Yesterday, WKR staff and investors participated in a tour of the Port of Grays Bay site, with the assistance of Stanley Anablak, former President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and current Chair of the Kitikmeot Regional Wildlife Board, and Larry Adjun, Board Member of the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Association.

On the way to and from Grays Bay we had the opportunity to meet with Kugluktuk Mayor Ryan Nivingalok and councillors. WKR investor and NHL star Jim Peplinski presented Mayor Nivingalok and community members with signed jerseys in appreciation for the visit.

We appreciated the opportunity to show our ATCO partners the site in person.

Thank you to Mayor Ryan Nivingalok, councillors, and CAO Kevin Niptanatiak for the warm welcome and for taking the time to meet with us during our stops in Kugluktuk.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Air Tindi for safely transporting our team to and from Grays Bay. Finally, thank you to Grant Newman and the team at Kikiak Contracting for making transportation possible by providing us with a rental truck, and for their flexibility in accommodating our cargo pickup outside of regular hours. Your support helped make this site visit a success.

07/21/2026

Weather Permitting: Meet & Greet with Jim Peplinski in Kugluktuk! 🏒

Depending on weather conditions, WKR will be meeting with the Mayor Nivingalok today to host a community Meet & Greet with former NHL player and Stanley Cup Champion, Jim Peplinski.

This event was originally planned to take place during last year’s Community Feast, but unfortunately had to be postponed due to weather and logistical challenges. We’re excited to finally have the opportunity to bring this event to the community!

Come by to meet Jim, chat with the WKR team and learn about the Grays Bay Road and Port project.

Today – July 21, 2026
1:30 p.m.
Hamlet of Kugluktuk Office

06/25/2026

06/24/2026

WKR announces that the Government of Canada has initiated consultations to consider listing the Grays Bay Road and Port Project (Grays Bay or the Project) under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act.

In a news conference today in Yellowknife, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Timothy Hodgson said that "The Grays Bay Road and Port represent something important: connection. Connecting communities, connecting Northern resources to Canadian and global supply chains, and connecting the enormous potential of the North to the prosperity of the whole country."

Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon followed up that "Grays Bay is a perfect example of a piece of dual use infrastructure. There will be clear and obvious Canadian Armed Forces requirements of that project."

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty said that "The Grays Bay Road and Port Project will open a new gateway to the world through the Arctic Ocean, creating new trade routes, strengthening sovereignty, and connecting the North to global markets."

06/02/2026

Last week, WKR hosted a meeting of our Inuit Advisory Group in Cambridge Bay.

Due to challenging weather conditions, our full team of advisors, staff, and consultants were unable to land in Cambridge Bay as planned, and we pivoted to a successful hybrid/online workshop to ensure the work could continue safely and effectively.

We were joined virtually and in person by a strong group of participants, including our Inuit Advisory Group members Larry Adjun, John and Mercie Kaodloak, and Ryan Nivingalok, who joined from Kugluktuk, as well as John Roesch from the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Our Environment Manager, Gavin Law, socio-economic consultant Jason Prno, and Environmental Dynamics Inc. (EDI) for Caribou, Mike Setterington, joined virtually from Yellowknife.

In Cambridge Bay, we were grateful to have advisors Martina Kapolak, George Naikak Hakongak, and Felix Tologanak-Labrie, along with WKR Engagement Lead Kassidy Koaha Laube, gathered in the Kitikmeot Corporation boardroom. Our marine subject matter experts from Nunami Stantec, Joseph Beland, Conor McCracken, and Stephanie Miller, also joined remotely from Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

This workshop focused on the content of the Impact Statement submitted on March 1 for the Grays Bay Road and Port Project. Discussions centred on baseline conditions; assessment of Project effects; mitigation & monitoring measures; assessment of cumulative effects; and significance conclusions related to caribou, marine fish and fish habitat, marine mammals, freshwater fish and fish habitat, traditional land, marine, and resource use, along with employment and the economy.

Thank you to Ruth Niptanatiak-Wilcox and Wes Sutherland at Kitikmeot Corporation for accommodating us on short notice and providing the space for this important work.

Missing from the group photo is John and Mercie Kaodloak, and Stephanie Miller.