The 2026 Winter Ice Road season marked an important milestone for B2Gold Nunavut. For the first time, the Winter Ice Road (WIR) Dispatch Program was led through a community-driven approach, with five of the seven dispatchers recruited from communities across the Kitikmeot Region. With hands-on training, mentorship, and a commitment to learning, the team quickly developed the skills and confidence needed to manage the demands of a complex logistical operation. Throughout the season, they demonstrated professionalism, adaptability, and strong teamwork — helping ensure the safe and efficient movement of fuel and supplies along the 163 km Winter Ice Road from the Marine Laydown Area (MLA) at Bathurst Inlet to the Goose Mine.
Their efforts contributed to a highly successful 2026 season, delivering impressive results:
- 2,576 loads moved across 712 dispatched convoys with zero incidents
- 45 million litres of fuel safely transported along the Winter Ice Road
- More than 42,000 tonnes of cargo successfully dispatched and delivered
- 100% of sealift cargo transported to site
Behind these achievements is a team whose dedication and hard work helped keep operations running smoothly from start to finish. Meet five Inuit dispatchers who played a key role in this season's success — Danielle Adjun, Valerie Miyok, Pamela Inuuktalik-Malgokak Bernhardt, Christin Kukilukak, and Ian Kaiyogana — as they share their experiences, lessons learned, and what being part of the Winter Ice Road Dispatch Program meant to them.Danielle, Valerie, Pamela, and Christin are from Kugluktuk, while Ian is from Cambridge Bay.
 From left to right: Valerie Miyok, Pamela Inuuktalik-Malgokak Bernhardt, Christin Kukilukak, Ian Kaiyogana. |  Above: Danielle Adjun |
Do you have previous experience working in the mining industry?
Danielle: I worked at Hope Bay as an Environmental Field Assistant in 2011 and 2012. I also worked as a de-fishing technician at Diavik Diamond Mine in 2017.
Pamela: I have been working as a Dispatcher on the Winter Ice Road for the last three years.
Ian: I worked at Hope Bay in the warehouse for 12 years.
Christin: This is my first time working in the mining industry.
Valerie: I worked at Goose Lake last year in housekeeping.
What transferable skills learned from past jobs do you think helped you in the WIR dispatch role?
Danielle: Working in finance helped a lot with my computer skills and working with Microsoft excel spreadsheets, as well as working as a team with other departments. I also have experience with dispatching for the water/sewage trucks in Kugluktuk, which helped with my radio etiquette skills and communication skills. Familiarity with the mining industry also helped in this role.
Pamela: Great communication and social skills learned from previous positions helped. I am also a fast learner and always willing to help where is needed.
Ian: My previous experience both leading teams and learning from past leaders helped prepare me for this role.
Christin: I found that my previous experience gained in communication and computer skills was helpful to me in this role.
Valerie: Many things helped me in this role that were learned from past jobs, such as communications, computer skills, working together as a team with the same goals — as well as from growing up in the north: animal and land protection, our geography, ways of life in the north, navigation skills, traditional knowledge, and being protectors of our land and animals for the generations after us to have and use as our parents and grandparents before us.
What did you enjoy about being a Winter Ice Road Dispatcher?
Danielle: The thing I love most about my job is that I can engage with so many individuals from all different backgrounds. I love being able to communicate daily with drivers, and different crews/departments and recording the daily activities of drivers and other personnel on the Winter Ice Road. This has been such a fun and enjoyable experience! The job is very fast-paced and demanding — as a dispatcher our job is to be answering radio calls, scheduling convoys, maintaining accurate manual and computerized recordings, as well as remaining calm and positive under pressure.
Pamela: I really enjoyed meeting new people and learning new job skills.
Ian: I liked meeting new people and learning new things.
Christin: I enjoyed learning new skills and how other departments work, safety guidance about transporting from one end to another and making sure that the drivers get to their destination safely.
Valerie: I enjoyed practically everything about this season! I gained many friendships throughout the season and enjoyed working with many different departments from management, admin staff, safety, environment and truck drivers. We worked together to achieve the same goal, while prioritising safety with respect for the land and animals within the area.
How were you trained for this position?
Danielle: The training was excellent. We received hands-on training from B2Gold Nunavut staff to help us with data entry, communications through radio and scheduling, creating reports, coordinated and delivered group communications via email and learned about in-reach devices. We also received the following certifications as part of our training: Transportation of Dangerous Goods, WHIMIS, Radio Etiquette, B2Gold WIR Orientation, Hazard Assessments, Incident Investigation, Light Duty Vehicle Training and Spotter Training.
Pamela: Training was excellent, the mentors and job supervisors were very willing to teach and I felt supported.
Ian: The trainers were very courteous and took the time to help us understand to make sure we were doing things correctly.
Christin: It was very good, good communication and great information about safety policies and procedures.
Valerie: It was very successful with guidance and support from the MLA family. Everyone was very informative and efficient, supportive and encouraging from all departments. Thanks for making the season a success!
What do you do on your time off from work?
Danielle: On my time off, I love to spend quality time with my family and my dogs. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hunting, camping, hiking, going for quad, boat and snowmobile rides around Kugluktuk. I love to exercise and take my Husky for walks around the community and to the Coppermine River for fresh river water and I love to cook.
Pamela: I love to be on the land, hunting and fishing, and also reviving and teaching our traditional Copper Inuit Drum dance.
Ian: I enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Christin: I like to spend time with family and work on sewing projects.
Valerie: I enjoy being out on the land, especially my cabin throughout all of the seasons. I like learning more about our land, travelling by boat, snowmobile and quad. I love fishing, hunting, sewing, beading, gaining traditional skills, being involved in projects within our community. I also enjoying all of these activities with family, especially with my grandson and teaching him to have respect for the land and animals.
Did you enjoy your experience working as part of the Dispatch team?
Danielle: I loved being a Dispatcher for the Winter Ice Road! It was one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have had the opportunity to be a part of. I made many connections with B2Gold Nunavut employees, managers, superintendents and several departments. It’s been a great and most enjoyable 2026 Winter Ice Road Season!
Pamela: I absolutely enjoyed learning and working with the team, I am very satisfied with my time on this project.
Ian: I loved working with this team. While we faced some challenges in the beginning, we came together, and in the end, kicked butt! I love working Dispatch!!
Christin: Yes, I received great support from other departments and the team, which allowed for a great learning experience.
Valerie: Yes, I sure did and would love to come back for seasons to come!
Trucks along B2Gold Nunavut’s 163 km Winter Ice Road