Community Information Sessions



Stonecircle's Ron Ryan and Kory Goulais recently set-out on the road to present two community information sessions relating to Mineral Exploration and Development. If you read the "Mining Sessions, on your mark, get set, go" post from July 10th 2012, you are well aware that Stonecirlce will be visiting up to 31 communities to deliver a "Mining 101" session to community members.



Since the project began, Stonecircle staff and associates have delivered a total of nine information sessions. Communities include: Ojibways of Pic River First Nation, Fort William First Nation, Seine River First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Couchiching First Nation, Mitaanjigamiing (formerly Stanjikoming) First Nation, Grassy Narrows First Nation, and most recently, Nipissing First Nation and Whitefish River First Nation.

Additionally, six communities have confirmed that they will hold a session in their community in the near future. Another five communities have set potential dates for sessions.

The mining information sessions that are occuring give insight into the Mining and Exploration process  (from prospecting and staking to mine development and closure). It also gives community members a chance to ask Ministry of Northern Mines and Development staff questions relating to various parts of the presentation and learn about the geology in the area.



Stonecircle looks forward to continuing to deliver this necessary information to communities.



Recent sessions





Mark Your Calendars...

Mark Your Calendars...4th National Land Claims Agreements Coalition Conference

February 26-March 1, 2013

Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau
Patti Black and her diligent team of event planners are hard at work preparing for what will be the next groundbreaking national conference on modern treaty implementation. Featuring Thomas Berger and other high profile academic and internationally-renowned speakers, this conference will celebrate the 40 years of negotiation and implementation since the Calder Case set the path for modern treaties in 1973. Featuring dynamic panel and working group discussions on the political, legal and economic landscapes within Canada and internationally, plan to attend and help set the course for the next 40 years of modern treaties in Canada.

Stay tuned for more details...

Resolute Bay – Community Economic Development in Action

For David Boult, Senior Associate, one of the greatest parts of being a consultant is getting to work with communities to develop their economies. This past August, David was fortunate enough to travel to Resolute Bay to help the community update its economic development plan. Aarluk Consulting Inc. has been the major provider of CED plans to Nunavut communities since Nunavut was a young territory (1999 actually). To date, Aarluk has conducted economic development plans for over half the communities in the territory. Over the past few years, many communities have asked Aarluk for help in ensuring these plans are updated and kept current.

As usual for the economic planning process, David spent time with the community’s Economic Development Officer, Philip Maniq Sr., reviewing the old plan, seeing what’s been going on in the community over the past five years, and generally getting a sense of the opportunities that currently exist. David then went around and talked to just about everybody in town including outfitters, the co-op manager, local business people, the hotel manager, staff out at the Polar Shelf project – just about anybody he could find.

A highlight of the trip however was an event that took place as David was conducting his post-dinner perambulations around the town. About a half hour into the walk, he heard some shots being fired close to town. Being in the heart of polar bear country, David took a careful look around but only saw a boat in the bay. He heard some more shots and saw some thrashing around in the water near the boat. He quickly headed over to see what the commotion was. He was quite pleased to see that a hunter had captured a nice beluga not 20 feet from shore. As David approached the group surrounding the small whale, he was pleased to see a young boy carefully being shown how to carve off the outer skin or maqtaq from the whale. David left the busy family with a smile on his face thinking “Now that is the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement in action”.

The Mythical Executive Committee

If you've ever been part of a non-profit organization, served on a Board of Directors, or worked as a volunteer, you've come across a peculiar organizational entity called the "Executive Committee". These legendary bodies perch atop organizations like gargoyles, terrifying Boards and staff members alike with their power, wielding supreme authority over all corporate and organizational decisions, and overseeing everyone's work with their eagle eyes and iron fists.

Hah.

Sorry, we shouldn't chuckle like that. It's just that an amazing number of people we know - many of whom have served on dozens of Boards - believe this myth. The truth, however, is a bit different.
Executive Committees, if properly mandated, serve a useful purpose, and can help make a Board more effective, efficient and economical in its operations. The bad news: they can also disrupt planning and decision making and confuse lines of authority.

So as a public service, Consilium is pleased to debunk five of the top myths about Executive Committees.

Happy Anniversaries!

Scott Black,
Consilium Consultant

       

Geoff Rigby,
Aarluk Researcher

Kory Goulais,
Stonecircle Researcher

September at Consilium, Stonecircle and Aarluk is a busy month. It’s the start of a new fiscal year, it’s the month we begin our staff work planning process and it is the time we seem to hire staff.

5 years ago September 1st, Aarluk hired a young research assistant by the name of Geoff Rigby who came to Ottawa after being a lifelong resident of Iqaluit. ….The announcement 5 years ago began with ‘A flourish of Aarlukian trumpets for Geoff Rigby” (thanks Terry Rudden). Geoff is now not so young (kidding Geoff) and one of our most seasoned Researchers.

3 years ago, on September 14th Stonecircle welcomed a new addition to our group of companies – Researcher, Kory Goulais. Kory hails from North Bay, ON and is a member of the Nipissing First Nation. This writer remembers overhearing Jen Bradshaw telling Kory before his interview that "you know if you get the job, you won’t have to wear a tie… Kory’s response: Sweet!”. I haven’t seen Kory in a tie since the day he was interviewed, but it hasn’t interfered with his abilities - he has been a great addition to our team.

1 year ago, on September 1st, Shareholder and Consultant Scott Black joined the Consilium team after working as an Associate with our group of companies for a number of years. Prior to this, he spent 21 years working with Aboriginal public and private sector organizations in Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in a variety of management, communications and consulting roles. Scott is currently working with CSA co-workers on an exciting project for the Nunavut Arctic College in what is still considered a 'new' venture for all concerned - the design and delivery of online courses in the Municipal Training Organizations’ (MTO) popular Municipal Government Program. Just call Scott 'Moodle King' and he's sure to answer!

The CCG of companies is a better place to work thanks to all of these gentlemen. Looking forward to many more years of working together!

Original People. Original Television, in Ottawa

Stonecircle's own Jennifer David recently celebrated the launch of her new book. (We do wonder what she has been doing in her spare time now that the book is officially released!)

Her book, Original People. Original Television: The launching of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, came out on September 1 and she held a well-attended book launch in Ottawa last week to celebrate. She is now gearing up for a Winnipeg book launch next week and a Toronto book launch likely happening in October.

She has a website where you can find out more about the book and details on how to purchase a copy: www.debwe.ca.


Jennifer David, signing books.

So far, the book has received excellent reviews. Here's one of them:

"This is a vital story now told with brio by Jennifer David. No dry history, her book is more like a detective novel. It’s a gripping tale about a little known part of Canada’s broadcasting mosaic. It’s packed with unforeseeable zigzags, and especially with colourful, outside characters. Canadians—and not just Aboriginal ones—should read this. First, because it’s an important story. Second, because it's truly entertaining.”

Keith Spicer, former Chairman, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission 

Congratulations Jennifer!

Modern Treaties 101: A Crash Course

From the desk of Patti Black, Senior Consultant:

   

Do you have questions about Modern Treaties – Comprehensive Land Claims and Self-Government Agreements? Modern Treaties now affect more than 40 percent of Canada's land, waters and resources. What is their regional and national importance?

These Constitutionally-protected agreements define relationships between Aboriginal parties, the Government of Canada, and provincial and territorial governments. Yet little is known publicly or within government circles about the contents of and benefits from modern treaties in Canada. This is your chance to learn how issues like the duty to consult, certainty of ownership, self government, management areas, resource development and other important matters may be affected by Modern Treaties.

• WORKSHOP: Modern Treaties 101: A Crash Course
• DATE: October 30 & 31, 2012
• TIME: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM each day, Registration begins at 8:00 AM
• LOCATION: Rm 201, Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa
• CONTACT: Patti Black, LCAC Coordinator, black@consilium.ca

Presented by the Land Claims Agreements Coalition this two-day "crash course" will provide an overview of the agreements, the players, and the implications of modern treaties. Register now to get informed about how modern treaties affect policy decisions, resource development and government processes in your region. Click here for a PDF version of the Draft Agenda.

Registration fees are $595 (+HST) for a two-day pass, $325 for a single day pass (either Oct 30 or 31), and $145 for students (must show a valid student ID card when you arrive at registration). REGISTER NOW on our online registration system!