The 2026 Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet will feature Virginia Mearns, Canada’s Arctic ambassador and a long‑time Nunavut leader, as the event’s keynote speaker on the morning of Sept. 22, organisers announced.
Senior Arctic official to speak after opening remarks
Mearns, who was appointed Canada’s Arctic ambassador in September 2025, is scheduled to speak at the Agnico Eagle Arena following a half‑hour of opening remarks, according to the trade show’s public schedule. She has previously held senior roles with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Government of Nunavut, and was recognised with the King Charles III Coronation Medal last year for her contributions to the territory.
The Kivalliq Trade Show runs later in the month and is built around the theme Naalagit: Listen. The week includes discussion panels, an art market, a fashion show, live music and programming aimed at developing local business capacity.
Event programming and dates
Organisers say the week begins on Sept. 19 with the Kivalliq Entrepreneurship Program, a training series focused on financial literacy, accounting and bookkeeping for aspiring business owners. The trade-show portion officially opens on Sept. 21, with Mearns’ keynote set for the morning of the 22nd.
| Date | Main activity |
|---|---|
| Sept. 19 | Kivalliq Entrepreneurship Program (financial literacy, accounting, bookkeeping) |
| Sept. 21 | Official opening of the Kivalliq Trade Show |
| Sept. 22 | Keynote address by Virginia Mearns; panels, art market, fashion show, live music |
Why the appearance matters
Mearns’ role as Canada’s Arctic ambassador makes her the federal government’s senior Arctic official at the Arctic Council, a platform that frames northern issues on the international stage. Her presence at a regional trade show in Rankin Inlet highlights an investment in local economic development and signals attention to northern businesses and entrepreneurs.
For participants, having a senior Arctic official address the gathering can enhance opportunities to raise concerns about business barriers, infrastructure and the intersection of local priorities with federal and international Arctic policy. The trade show’s focus on entrepreneurship and capacity building aligns with broader efforts in Nunavut to strengthen Indigenous and northern-owned businesses.
What attendees can expect
The week promises a mix of practical training and cultural programming. Key elements listed by organisers include:
- Workshops through the Kivalliq Entrepreneurship Program covering bookkeeping and financial literacy;
- Discussion panels on topics of interest to local business owners and community leaders;
- An art market showcasing local artists and makers;
- Entertainment events, including a fashion show and live musical performances;
- The keynote address by Virginia Mearns offering a federal Arctic perspective.
Organisers and outreach
Event coordinators posted the schedule and speaker information online. Nunatsiaq News reached out to trade-show co‑ordinator Keith Collier for comment, and to Mearns, but did not receive responses by publication. Further details about registration, vendor booths and the full schedule should be available through the Kivalliq Trade Show website and local community bulletin boards as the event approaches.
For many in the Kivalliq region, the trade show is an annual moment to connect, promote local enterprise and exchange ideas about economic development. The inclusion of a Canadian Arctic ambassador as keynote speaker underlines the show’s evolving role as a place where regional concerns and national Arctic policy can meet.
Residents planning to attend should watch for updates from event organisers about ticketing, vendor applications and any health or travel advisories that may apply as dates near.
