Monday, January 30, 2012

Never too old to learn something new


I believe several things about learning:
  • Lifelong learning is very important;
  • We are never too old to learn new things; and
  • Learning new things can be both fun and frustrating at the same time. 
All of these beliefs have been front and center in my world for most of my life, but can be illustrated with my most recent teaching and learning experience.

Before Christmas, I became an ‘e-teacher’, a teacher of online courses for Municipal Government employees in Nunavut. Very cool for me to be learning how to be a teacher outside of a traditional classroom. My classroom now takes place virtually – through the internet, through connecting online, through emails, phone calls and a virtual classroom. I have learned, along with the fantastic participants taking these Municipal Government Program courses, how to help create an online learning community.

As a classroom teacher, I attempted to integrate technology in the classroom – now, my classroom is all about technology.


I didn’t know how to use Moodle, the software that we use to organize all of our course content, take quizzes, exams and submit assignments. I didn’t know how bandwidth issues in Nunavut would impact learning. I didn’t know if I’d be able to bring together adults from communities across the north to make learning fun, not frustrating.

Thankfully, my second belief is true… I’m not too old to learn this stuff!

As a collective group, we are learning what works and what doesn’t work. We are applauding each other with hand clapping icons, and sending happy face emoticons when we agree with our fellow keen adult learners across Nunavut.

Of course, there are some things that can be frustrating – having my voice drop in and out during a class because a participant has used up their download allocation from Qiniq and they won’t return to ‘normal’ speed until ‘next week’. Frustrating when the grade book in Moodle doesn’t work quite right.

But, it’s mostly great fun. Sharing in this online learning opportunity and observing how our personalities shine through in our virtual world. Connecting during our classes, reading the underlying humour in assignments that are submitted. It is extremely rewarding to be part of this innovative way to deliver learning to adults scattered across the vast expanse of land, that we know and love, that is Nunavut.

Although we are separated by thousands of kilometers, we are connected in a fun and unique way. I believe our learning network is going to continue to grow, and I’m so pleased to be part of this very cool method of connecting. Never too old to learn something new!

Friday, January 27, 2012

“Into the Arctic II” film showing during Northern Lights 2012

Artist Cory Trepanier’s docu-feature “Into the Arctic II”, an art-adventure film, is premiering in the nation's capital in conjunction with the Northern Lights Business and Cultural Showcase, held February 1st through 4th, at the Ottawa Convention Centre (http://www.northernlightsottawa.com/).


Hosted by Parks Canada in Ottawa, and presented by Nunavut Tourism, “Into the Arctic II” captures the exquisite natural beauty and raw power of several arctic locales on canvas, while filming Cory's adventures through the eastern and high Arctic. The 90-minute documentary will play Thursday, February 2nd, 7:30 p.m., at the Empire Rideau Center Cinemas in the Rideau Centre, with a special introduction by Parks Canada CEO Alan Latourelle. Following the film, a reception will be held to meet the artist, who loves to share his Arctic adventures with an audience.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 2, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Empire Rideau Center Cinemas with covered adjacency from the Ottawa Convention Center

TICKETS: $20 (+ hst), includes post-film reception with artist

TO ORDER TICKETS ONLINE: www.intothearcticfilm.com/

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Traditional Ecological Study underway

Aarluk Consulting is working with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) to develop a Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) database and library. The NWMB, a co-management body established under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, is the primary body responsible for the management of wildlife within Nunavut.

In 2008, Aarluk provided a report to NWMB, in collaboration with Professor George Wenzel of McGill University, on enhancing the use of TEK in the management of wildlife. The report provided recommendations on policies governing the collection and use of TEK and IQ and on establishment of a network of Inuit Elders in communities to participate in the process of decision-making by the NWMB on major wildlife management issues. A second report on options for the design of a TEK/IQ database was also provided to NWMB at the time. The NWMB's IQ program, which incorporated the findings of both of these reports, is intended to ensure the systematic inclusion of both TEK and IQ along with scientific studies in wildlife research and management. Aarluk's current work on development of the database and library, once again in collaboration with George Wenzel, is designed to support the successful implementation of the IQ Program.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Happy Birthday Chris Grosset



Happy Belated Birthday……The first staff birthday of the New Year is our esteemed President, Chris Grosset on January 22nd . Not quite a milestone birthday this year….but he does have that to look forward to! We’ll be kind and just not mention when. Many Happy Returns.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Congratulations Sagamok on MOU with QFNX

Stonecircle, and particularly Alex Ker, continues to work closely with Sagamok Anishnawbek on its mining related negotiations and initiatives. Sagamok is a signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 and is located on the north shore of Lake Huron. The First Nation has a membership population of close to 2,600 of which approximately 60% live on reserve. The community is located within an active area of mining exploration and development.

The following information is taken from a press release issued jointly by the community and Quadra FNX, a mining company.

On Dec. 23, 2011, Chief Paul Eshkakogan of Sagamok and Michael Winship, Chief Operating Officer of Quadra FNX signed a Memorandum of Understanding with regard to QFNX's Victoria advanced exploration, nickel-copper project near Sudbury. The MOU establishes an interim-type agreement until the two parties can negotiate a more comprehensive impacts and benefits agreement (IBA) for this project, which has an estimated capital cost of $750 million.

As noted by Chief Eshkakogan, the MOU "will facilitate open and timely dialogue between Quadra FNX and our First Nation as it relates to the company's activities to develop the Victoria Advanced Exploration Project". The Chief also commented that he "looks forward to negotiating an IBA that will provide benefits for our members and ensure the environment and our traditional territories are protected."

Paul Blythe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quadra FNX also said, "We are very pleased to have signed an MOU with Sagamok. As a company we believe in having a strong relationship with all First Nation communities and other stakeholders in the Sudbury area, and this MOU is an important step in establishing a long term, mutually beneficial partnership."

Monday, January 16, 2012

Nunavut’s Virtual Classroom a Success



Most training programs in Nunavut end with a round of handshakes and a coffee. The ground-breaking course that wrapped up just before Christmas, however, concluded with a string of happy-face emoticons, as more than a dozen adult students from across Nunavut completed Introduction to Northern Government – on their computers.

The three-week course provided an overview the structure, history and operation of territorial and municipal governments. Students included municipal and government employees from every regions of Nunavut. For roughly three hours per day they participated in online discussion groups, joined presentations from a facilitator thousands of kilometres away, and worked print, video and audio material posted on a special website.

According to Jason Brown, Director of Customized Training for Nunavut Arctic College, the course actually generated more participation than a traditional classroom delivery. “We had very little turnover and an unusually high completion rate,” says Brown, “And at a fraction of the delivery cost we’re used to seeing for a standard workshop.”

The success of the program surprised even its instructor, Michelle Turpin of Aarluk Consulting. An experienced teacher, Turpin gives credit for the success to her students, and to the innovative teaching tools and techniques available through the new learning platform.

“The biggest challenge for learners is trying to connect as a group, and frankly, I was nervous,” she admits. “But within five minutes everyone was experimenting with the new software, laughing, asking questions, and chatting online – and learning. It was a great group, and a great experience.”

Introduction to Northern Government is the first of five courses to be offered online over the next three months, as part of the popular Municipal Government Program (MGP). Additional courses scheduled for delivery this winter include Management Communications, Human Resources, Public Sector Finance, and an Introduction to Computers.

The MGP was launched by the Municipal Training Organization (MTO) and Nunavut Arctic College in September 2004. A combination of five core courses and five specialty courses earns Municipal Government Certification for learners in their chosen profession. Over 1,000 Nunavummiut have participated in courses since the program started.

The Nunavut Municipal Training Organization (MTO) is a non-profit society formed as a partnership between the Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators (NAMA) and the Government of Nunavut Department of Community and Government Services.

Friday, January 13, 2012

National Aboriginal Virtual Recruitment Fair - Final Push

The Aboriginal Human Resource Council (AHRC) is in the final stages of registration and preparation for their first ever (of what we hope is many) National Aboriginal Virtual Recruitment Fair. Today's technology means you can be at home or office and you can promote your available jobs, talk to prospective employees, and find out what jobs are available.

Stonecircle’s Kory Goulais is very busy assisting companies and organizations who have registered with any last minute technical inquiries they may have. To date, a total of 26 companies have signed up as employers for the event. Employers for the event come from various backgrounds including financial services, health, federal government, minerals and mining, the service industry, as well as educational institutions. Companies who are interested in recruiting Aboriginal talent can click here for more information.

But wouldn’t be much of an event without job-seekers. To date, the recruitment fair has a total of 160 Aboriginal job seekers. If you or someone you know might be interested in signing up for the virtual job fair, you can register at http://virtualfair.aboriginalhr.ca/

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Paddies Rock St. Joseph's

(Paddies on the Tundra: L-R Fred Weihs, Sheila White, John Bennett, Angela Rudden, Terry Rudden)

In what's become an annual tradition, Paddies on the Tundra provided Inuktitut dance and game-playing music for the yearly Tungasuvvingat Inuit/ITK Christmas Party, the biggest Inuit social event in Ottawa, held this year at St. Joseph's Parish Hall.

It was a special occasion for a number of reasons. It marked the 25th anniversary of the Paddies, who first got together to play for a small TI party in 1986, when the organization was located upstairs from a Bronson Avenue Pizza and Donair shop. Another treat - the participation of Honorary Paddy Angela Rudden (Terry's "little" sister, and, in her OTHER gig, viola player with the Canadian Opera Company).

It's always a great party, a wonderful opportunity to meet old friends too seldom seen, and a chance to give something back to the community. This year the Paddies will actually be "giving back" a little more than usual - they were proud to donate $1,000 to the Nunavut Media Arts Centre Fund, to help the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation construct their much needed new studios in Iqaluit.

Monday, January 09, 2012

Welcome Michelle!

We are delighted to welcome our newest Consilium Consulting Group employee: Michelle Turpin.

Michelle has recently relocated to Ottawa from Iqaluit and will work as a Senior Consultant supporting our clients.

Michelle’s first project with Aarluk is delivering online training as part of a pilot project for Nunavut Arctic College. Working with other Consilium and Aarluk staff and associates, the goal is to move five core courses of the Municipal Government Program (MGP) onto a Moodle platform and deliver each course consecutively over a three-week period. Michelle and team successfully delivered the first course before Christmas (Introduction to Northern Government).

Michelle grew up in Belleville, Ontario. She ended up in Kingston where she went to Queens’s University taking the Concurrent Education program. She spent time teaching in Mexico and then headed back to Canada (Halifax) to pursue a Master of Arts in Health Education degree. Michelle spent 13 years in Nunavut, the first 5 teaching in the high arctic community of Pond Inlet (while running a B&B in the community!) and 8 years in Iqaluit. While in Iqaluit, she was a Program Support Teacher at Inuksuk High School then became the Executive Director of Skills Canada Nunavut. She has worked for WorldSkills International as the WorldSkills Premiere Experience Coordinator.

While recognizing the importance of governance, Michelle has spent many years ensuring that policies, procedures, and training opportunities address operational requirements of any organization; what looks good on paper must be transferable to the daily operations of an organization.

Michelle loves to cook (and eat)... and she’s a yoga and meditation enthusiast.