Ungava, Nunavik’s surge of beauty
The sea is a treasure trove of riches for Nunavik. It is rife with untapped resources, including northern seaweed, which could lead to a small gold mine of an industry in Quebec’s far north: marine cosmetics.
Nunavik Biosciences Inc. was founded in 2005 to see how unutilized or underutilized resources found in the region and adjacent waters could create small-scale economic activity in Nunavik communities. Its investigation of local marine resources brought to light a species of seaweed that held particular promise.
From sea to little pots
The process involved in bringing this marine algae from the sea to little pots of cream is simple, and yet complex due to the harsh Nunavik climate. The Inuit harvest the seaweed at low tide during the short summer—two months!—north of the 55th parallel. In the fall, the seaweed is washed several times, dried and ground locally. These dried algae are then shipped to the greater Montréal area. They must not miss the boat because there are only two departures at that time of year.
Canada Economic Development’s support was a determining factor: “Beyond the investment that allowed us to buy various equipment, the fact that the Agency believed in our project from the outset gave us the moral support to forge ahead. We were not alone in believing in our project.”
In Montréal, other institutions take over to extract compounds from the algae powder for use in the preparation of cosmetic products. At the end of the process: Ungava, the first natural and organic Inuit skin care line designed to act effectively, improving the appearance of the skin.
This northern success story is the brainchild of Marc Allard, President of Nunavik Biosciences and a manager at Makivik Corporation which oversees the socioeconomic development of Nunavik. Canada Economic Development’s support was a determining factor: “Beyond the investment that allowed us to buy various equipment, the fact that the Agency believed in our project from the outset gave us the moral support to forge ahead. We were not alone in believing in our project.”
Exporting the Nord-du-Québec
In order to promote its new products, in 2010, Nunavik Biosciences participated in major international events such as the Vancouver Winter Olympic games, Europe’s not-to-be-missed Beyond Beauty exhibition in Paris and the Northern Lights business and cultural showcase, the only event in Canada to feature the eastern Arctic and the North.
The public response has been very positive. “Our high-end niche products are currently available via our Web site, but if their popularity is any indication, in the not-so-distant future, we may be manufacturing our products on a larger scale for sale in retail stores,”
added Mr. Allard.
No doubt about it, Ungava Bay harbours beauty secrets!
