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The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce has been reaching out to regional businesses in a move to increase its membership numbers.

Sharon Sateana, of Rankin Inlet, accepted the position as the chamber's executive director when it was offered to her in July 2024 by chamber president Tara Tootoo Fotheringham.

Sateana said she accepted the offer to become more involved in the business area because the Kivalliq is pretty busy and she welcomed the opportunity to travel and meet with people she'd be normally talking to anyway.

She said she knew the position was going to be a challenge and that it was going to be out of her comfort zone, but she was happy to take on that challenge.

"I advocate for the businesses within the Kivalliq region and I'm really pushing for more membership," said Sateana. "The KCC (Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce) was, kind of, not known for a long time. It was out there and then it dwindled down and there was not much exposure as to what the KCC can do."

Sateana agreed that losing Ray Mercer at the time was a big hit to the chamber. She said Mercer was a huge influence and really active on behalf of the chamber.

"He (Mercer) was amazing. I absolutely looked up to how he managed all of that without his boys. A lot of businesses wouldn't be where they are today without his efforts.

"I used to bartend when the KCC used to have these annual general meetings in Rankin Inlet. So, I kind of had a feel and understanding of who were all involved with the upcoming events that were going on within the Kivalliq region. It was nice to see that all the businesses were recognized and they got together and talked about the opportunities that will be there.

"I mean, I'm saying this about 20 years ago, but, I mean, it was loud before and then it kind of calmed down. I was saying at the time that I was going to be as good as Ray."

Sateana said when she heard there was this opportunity with the chamber, she was happy to have the chance to contribute.

The biggest challenge facing the chamber is the lack of communication, she said, but the members are really trying to get their message out there, including using social media.

"To this day, all the young kids use that tool, so it's nice to use it to reach out to all of these businesses and, hopefully, more SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” and get more small businesses supported. 

"I hope to be everywhere moving forward. I just really want to see businesses survive, be able to communicate and help each other thrive. Kivalliq is amazing. It has a lot of opportunities and a lot of potential to be bigger.

"There's so many opportunities and I really wish, and I hope, that we can help them prosper."