Kaapittiaq Coffee Venture

Stuart Merritt & Erci Vasquez – Café Vasquez

Erci Vasquez was born in Peru in the Northern Andes mountains known for its rich coffee culture.   Erci spent most of her young life in Lima where she meet her husband Stuart Merritt, a Canadian working in Peru.    Together they returned to her families valley and fell in love with the culture and lifestyle.   After returning to Canada they set plans in motion to pursued their dream to help local coffee farmers in Peru.    In order to learn the coffee industry they first invested in Beaver Rock Roastery in 2014, a local Barrie owned and operated company.   In 2015 they started Café Vasquez, a Peruvian owned and operated business.   Their dream became a reality when they partnered with Kitikmeot Heritage Society.

Pamela Gross - Kitikmeot Heritage Society

Pamela is an Inuk from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut and a graduate of an Inuit Studies program affiliated with Algonquin College and attained a BA in Anthropology and Aboriginal Studies from Carleton.  Her passion is in the cultural sector and is President of the Inuit Heritage Trust and a Board Member of the Inuit Studies Program affiliated with Algonquin College.  She has also been driven to serve her community and is the Mayor of Cambridge Bay.

Pam is the Executive Director of the Kitikmeot Heritage Society, which is a charitable organization that runs the May Hakongak Community Library and Cultural centre.  The grassroots organization has been in operation for over 23 years as a Museum, Archives, Library and Research centre and most recently started a for profit sector, Kaapittiaq. Funds from this venture will flow back into the charity to support the strategic priorities of the organization

Elayne Merritt - Kitikmeot Heritage Society

Elayne Merritt, is a Chartered Professional Accountant that has operated a small accounting business in Barrie for the last 30 years.  She has provided services for a wide range of local businesses.  20 year ago Elayne  had the opportunity to become associated with the Kitikmeot Heritage Society, in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.  She has been assisting them with their accounting needs ever since.