07/02/2026
"Quviagiqpiaqtara avatiliqinikkut havaaq, ilihimayunga una piliurumayara uvamnun nunallaamnunlu. Pitquhikkut qaujihimaniq pidjutiqaqtuq angijumik havagutinik hulivaktaptikni. Naunaijaqhimajait qanuqtut havakpauhiptingnik, humilu havakpaktaptingnik, imaalu huuq havakpaktaptingnik. Ayuiqpaktugut inirnikhaanit qauyimayunitlu, atuqhugitlu taapkuat ayuittavut avatiliqinikkut havaanut. Piyaaqtugut, uvalu ihuaqtugu inuit havaamun, taimaali kinali nunaqyuami piqpaguhuktuq nunakput uvaptingnin. Ilihimatqujatka inulrammiit Inuit qanuritkaluaqtitlugu ajuqhautit atuqtatit, ilvit munarijukhaujutit ilingnik, imaalu atanniqtuidjutiqaqtutit qanuriliurutikharnik. Piqaqtuq piyakhanik tatqaani, uvalu piliuqtaaqtutit hunamik ilingnun nunallaangnunlu.”
- Derek Irwin Tun'ngaviliuqpaktuq Aulapkaiyiuplunilu Qaumajuq Environmental Ltd., Inuinnainnit hivuliqtiuyuq avatiliqiiyitkunni qauyimayiuyut nanminiuyuq ittuq Kangiqlinirmi. Agnico Eagle ayuiqharaluaqhuni, Derek atuqhugu atuqhimayaa uvalu ayuqiqtuinikkut aulagutiblugu nanminikhaminik, kitut tunihiyuq avatiliqinikkut kivgaqtuutinik piliuqhutiklu piyakhanik nunamingni Inuit ayungitainik. Aulahimaaqtumik havaqatigiblugit ukua Agnico Eagle, havagvia aulahimaaqtumik angiklivaliayuq, hakugiktumik tugaaqhimablutik havaktitinirmun, ilihaidjutinun, uvalu hakugikhiyuumiqtitugit nunamingni havaktut.
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“I fell in love with environmental work, and I knew this was something I wanted to build for myself and my community. Traditional knowledge plays a huge role in what we do. It outlines how we work, where we work, and why we do our work. We learn from elders and knowledge holders, and we apply those skills to environmental work. We are capable, and we are the right people for the job, because there’s nobody in the world who cares more about our land than us. I want younger Inuit to know that no matter what challenges you face, you are responsible for yourself, and you have the power to dictate your path. There are opportunities out there, and you can build something for yourself and your community.”
- Derek Irwin is the Founder and Director of Qaumajuq Environmental Ltd., an Inuit-led environmental consulting company based in Rankin Inlet. A former Agnico Eagle intern, Derek used that experience and mentorship to launch his own business, which now delivers environmental services while creating opportunities for local Inuit talent. Through ongoing work with Agnico Eagle, his company continues to grow, with a strong focus on hiring, training, and empowering local employees.