Baffin Fisheries recently appointed Kavavow Mikijuk as president of Niqitaq Fisheries and Baffin Fisheries.
"We are thrilled to have Kavavow join the senior executive team," said Baffin Fisheries board chair Kelly Kilabuk about the Sept. 3 announcement. "Kavavow brings a wealth of experience from the crewing side and vessel operations, and he will be well supported and mentored as he takes on more and more responsibilities in this leadership role. I look forward to Kavavow guiding the company and enhancing our Inuit corporate culture as Baffin Fisheries grows and prospers."
A lifelong resident of Iqaluit, Mikijuk has been in the fishing industry for the past 17 years, eight of them as the crewing manager for Baffin Fisheries, and before that working for the Nunavut Fisheries Marine Training Consortium.
He describes his involvement in fishing as a calling.
“I went into the field [because] a friend encouraged me to apply on the training side. Yeah, I was looking for a job, but I found out I enjoyed it and liked helping my people, the Inuit,” he said.
On his ascendance to his current position, Mikijuk said he began on the training side in 2007, but “I then had the opportunity to switch jobs in 2016... I felt I needed to do something a little different. When Baffin Fisheries listed the job ad, it was a calling. Having my background in fish and marine training, I had the tools and the contacts... I felt like it was right.
"I am happy to accept the role and excited to continue working with management and the board," Mikijuk said of his promotion. "I look forward to helping achieve the goals and opportunities ahead for Baffin Fisheries, and helping the company maximize benefits for our Inuit owners."
Mikijuk also intends to stay within his hometown of Iqaluit.
“I’ve been here all my life, and I’m going to continue to work out of this community,” he added.
