We are Arctic Buying

Dorothy Atuat Tootoo has lived and worked in Rankin Inlet for 17 years. She is fluent in Inuktitut and English. Dorothy is the recipient of The Polar Medal (2015), a Canadian medal intended to honour explorers of Canada’s polar regions and defenders of the country’s sovereignty in the North. Dorothy comes from a large family who was nomadic up until 1950, when their family settled in Churchill, Manitoba. The vision of the business started and continued to grow and flourish working with her daughter.

Dorothy brings the Inuit culture and values that are seen throughout the business, by how they communicate with customers, staff and various institutions: creating bonds, and helping out others any way that we can. Dorothy is the embodiment of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles of:

• ᑐᙵᓇᕐᓂᖅ · Tunnganarniq: fostering good spirit by being open, welcoming and inclusive.
• ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕐᓂᖅ · Pijitsirniq: serving and providing for family and/or community.

Tara Qunngaatalluriktuq Tootoo Fotheringham has been an entrepreneur since 2000. The first was her bed and breakfast and drywall company she ran with her husband. Tara then was not apparently challenged enough with 3 kids and a B&B, so she purchased the “Sugar Rush Café”, a well known spot for great food and a welcoming environment.

A recipient of the BDC’s Young Entrepreneur Award in 2006, Tara Tootoo Fotheringham has been an incredible force and community contributor to Rankin Inlet, and the Kivalliq, for decades. Since 1996, Tara has devoted her time and effort into building up services and support for Rankin Inlet and community members across the Kivalliq. Starting in 1996 as a custom adoption commissioner, Tara went on to be instrumental in securing the implementation of Rankin Inlet’s second daycare.

In 2011, Tara started a new venture and launched Arctic Buying Co., commonly referred to as the “Amazon of the North”. The company’s primary focus is ensuring that the needs of northern communities across Nunavut are met, from food supplies and furnishings to, most recently, all COVID-19 safety supplies.

Tara is a member of the Amundsen board as well as newly elected Vice Chair for the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce, and sits on the Kivalliq Legal Services Board. Tara resides in Winnipeg with her husband Bryan and children Tootoo and Masha-May, while their oldest son Brett is a resident of Rankin Inlet.

Tara brings a wealth of knowledge knowing customers on a personal level. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous issues and will always speak up for the Northern communities to ensure that they have everything they need. She continuously works on expanding her endless ideas to keep the business growing day and night.

Cliff Caners hails from the small town of Arborg, Manitoba, with a population of 1,200 people, and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has a strong background in sales and marketing, and has 30 years of experience under his belt. Cliff continues to push the company forward by researching and reaching out to new vendors, always looking for ways to improve the business. Sourcing and procuring anything and everything customers ask for, and ensuring communication keeps flowing, is key to him. He is very personable, and strives to expand his network for the company to ensure that he can help out the Northern Communities in any way necessary. Cliff resides in Winnipeg with his wife Kathryn and children Tavia and Ethan.