traditions honoured and skills Passed on - Government of the ...

July 2008
Volume 12 • Issue 7
A Newsletter for Employees of the
Government of the Northwest Territories
Traditions Honoured <strong>and</strong> Skills <strong>Passed</strong> On
During the first two weeks of June, a
Traditional Life Skills Workshop was held
on the banks of the Yellowknife River.
This Workshop was part of the Take a Kid
Trapping Program <strong>and</strong> involved over 100
students from the Kalemi Dene School in
N’Dilo, Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah,
Yellowknife’s William McDonald Middle
School <strong>and</strong> Sir John Franklin High School.
Students were given h<strong>and</strong>s-on experience
in moose hide tanning, playing Dene
games <strong>and</strong> fish smoking. The riverside
exposure was also the perfect place for
building the Workshop’s main attraction –
a birch bark canoe.
For Aboriginal people of the Northwest
Territories, trapping is a way of life –
one that reflects generations of culture,
tradition <strong>and</strong> a proud history of selfreliance
<strong>and</strong> self-sufficiency. Built on the
practice of passing on knowledge to the
next generation, the Take a Kid Trapping
Program is a component of the Genuine
Mackenzie Valley Fur Program. It is a basic
introduction to time <strong>honoured</strong> methods
of trapping <strong>and</strong> harvesting wild furs <strong>and</strong>
key elements of the traditional Aboriginal
lifestyle. Guy Erasmus, of Industry, Tourism
<strong>and</strong> Investment, oversees the Take a Kid
Trapping Program. He
was also instrumental
in the development
stages. Erasmus
explained that the
Program is designed
for young people of all
ages. Canoe building
is just one of many
traditional life <strong>skills</strong>
projects provided annually for school-age
youth across the Northwest Territories by
ITI under the Take a Kid Trapping Program.
The Program (in partnership with the
Departments of Municipal <strong>and</strong> Community
Affairs <strong>and</strong> Environment <strong>and</strong> Natural
Resources) is administered through ITI
Brendan Baillargeon, participant from
Dettah, paddles in the finished canoe on the
Yellowknife River.
<strong>and</strong> delivered
by schools <strong>and</strong>
Aboriginal
organizations.
Elders are
encouraged to
pass on traditional
<strong>skills</strong> such as
trapping, hunting,
fishing, moose
hide tanning,
preparing
traditional food
<strong>and</strong> other on-thel<strong>and</strong>
life <strong>skills</strong>.
Instructors, selected for their expertise,
incorporate: visits to trap lines <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>son
experience setting traps, snares <strong>and</strong>
fishnets; teach traditional life <strong>skills</strong>; <strong>and</strong>
teach conservation <strong>and</strong> best practices
in the preparation of pelts for market.
Students can also learn snowshoeing, the
history of trapping <strong>and</strong> the fur industry,
trapping regulations, outdoor survival,
emergency first aid <strong>and</strong> bear safety. Other
organizations contribute to the success
of this Program. St. John’s Ambulance
conducts classes in first aid for interested
participants. These classes are funded by
the Workers’ Safety <strong>and</strong> Compensation
Commission, <strong>and</strong> Transport Canada provides
boat safety presentations.
When asked about the Program, Guy
said, “It is vital to our culture’s survival. This
Program is an opportunity to experience
the l<strong>and</strong> as past generations did, <strong>and</strong> learn
how to live as they did. I’m proud to be a
part of it. ”
Guy would like to thank the regional
staff of MACA, ENR <strong>and</strong> ITI for their
contributions to making this Program a
success. It should be noted that, since 2002,
over 4,000 young people have
participated in this Program.

HR BeAr In mInD
EAP Online Newsletters
The Department of Human Resources
offers an Employee Assistance Program
(EAP) to GNWT staff <strong>and</strong> their dependents.
EAP is a voluntary counselling <strong>and</strong>
referral service designed to help with
personal or work-related issues. Anyone
needing assistance can access the service
24 hours a day, seven days a week – <strong>and</strong>
it’s free.
In addition to phone <strong>and</strong> one-on-one
services, there are many EAP resources
available online, including monthly <strong>and</strong>
quarterly newsletters.
There are three publications available
online:
• Balancing Act
• Healthy Work
• Healthy Living
Each publication provides helpful
advice, real-life examples <strong>and</strong> best
practices on a variety of lifestyle <strong>and</strong>
workplace choices. For example, this
month’s Balancing Act features the article
Helping Teens Prepare for Summer Work.
Check out the current newsletters
available through the EAP home page at
www.hr.gov.nt.ca/workplace/eap/
Self-service Tip – Calendars
Not sure when the next early cut-off
date for self-service is When are the
M<strong>and</strong>atory Leave days for 2008 Need to
know the pay days for your position
Check out the Calendars link on the
Self-service section of the HR Intranet/web
site for help planning your schedules.
Welcome Summer Students!
The start of summer is marked by the
return of our summer students throughout
the regions. As students return each
summer they have the opportunity to
provide extra help in departments <strong>and</strong>,
in many cases, work in a division closely
related to their field of study. We’d like
to introduce a few of our first-time <strong>and</strong>
returning students working for the GNWT
this summer.
If you are interested in having one
of your summer students profiled or are
interested in hiring a summer student,
please contact Corporate Human
Resources at chrs@gov.nt.ca or visit
www.hr.gov.nt.ca/intranet/manager/
studenthire/
We hope you all have a safe <strong>and</strong>
enjoyable summer!
Summer Student Profiles
Name: Kirstin Mahler
Attending: University
of Alberta, completed
3rd year
Studying: Major in
Biology, Minor in
French
Department: ENR,
Wildlife Division
Community: Yellowknife
Benefits of working with the GNWT: “It’s
an excellent opportunity to meet new
people <strong>and</strong> to gain field experience in
many different fields counting caribou on
the tundra.”
Name: Tanner Daniels
Attending: University
of Saskatchewan,
completed 5th year
Studying: Law
Department:
Industry, Tourism <strong>and</strong>
Investment
Community: Hay River
Benefits of working with the GNWT:
“They pay better than most of the private
sector. I work conventional hours. I get to
read the Bear Facts. And they have a high
tolerance level because no one has yelled
at me yet.”
Name: Rielle Antoine
Attending: Aurora
College, completed
5th year
Studying: Bachelor of
Science in Nursing
Community:
Yellowknife
Department: Health
<strong>and</strong> Social Services –
Health Promotion
Benefits of working
with the GNWT: “The people I work
with are lovely, <strong>and</strong> I believe that Health
Promotion <strong>and</strong> Prevention are a huge
part of nursing, <strong>and</strong> this allows me to
be involved in just another aspect of my
nursing career, <strong>and</strong> gain experience <strong>and</strong>
valuable knowledge I will take with me
throughout my career.”
Premier’s Awards of Excellence
Each year, the Premier of the Northwest Territories honours employees who show
excellence, innovation <strong>and</strong> dedication in their work. This year’s winners were recognized
at a ceremony held at the Legislative Assembly on June 12, 2008, during Public Service
Week. Congratulations to all recipients on a job well done!
Individual Awards
John Holden
Doreen Reid
Warren Gillis
Bob Shahi
Sabrina Broadhead
Team Award
Aurora College Northern
Nursing Program
Denise Bowen
Melissa Davey
Lorie Crawford
Joe Oliver
Dr. Pertice Moffitt
Jodi Brennan
Vee Faria
Kerry Lynn Durnford
Natasha Bursey
Lea Barbosa-Leclerc
Denise Neumann-Fuhr
Estrellita Sumcad
Gloria Bott
Sheila Cruz
Karyn Unrau
Susan Ashton
Betty Ann Marriott
Sherry Budzinski
Courtney Beech
Mary Lou Murphy
Premier’s Award
for Collaboration
The Tlicho Healing Wind
Project – Promoting Sexual
Health Team
Cecilia Zoe-Martin
Nora Wedzin
Christine Smith
Mary Rose Mantla
Madeline Judas
Mary Adele Football
Darla Rabesca
Alice Zoe-Chocolate
Bernadette Rabesca-Apples
Dr. Nancy Gibson
Karen Edwards
Steve Mitchell
Community Members,
Elders, Youth
Mary Adele Rabesca
Josephine Rabesca
Jonas Lafferty
Mary Rose Koyina
Therese Dryneck
Jennifer Zoe
Olivia Koyina
Francis Zoe
Edward Chocolate
Mary Adele Wetrade
James Rabesca
Grin <strong>and</strong> Bear It!
This Northerner has been with the
GNWT for 13 years <strong>and</strong> is a familiar face
in the volunteer community. You’ve
seen her dance, you’ve seen her sing, you’ve seen her
act, <strong>and</strong> you may have even seen her in hot pants <strong>and</strong>
high heels at one of her previous work places. If you
know who our dynamic mystery woman is, e-mail us
at bearfacts@gov.nt.ca or fax 867-873-0629 <strong>and</strong> the
first correct guess in on Friday, July 11, will win a
Bear Facts gift.
The New Deal Capital
Planning Task Team <strong>and</strong>
Administrator’s Working
Group
Thomas Beard
Lorie Fyfe
Perry Heath
Herman Kaglik
Amir Agha
Yvette Gonzalez
Gil Lafferty
Max Hall
Wayne Lennie
Roy Scott
Dennis Buboire
John McKee
The Aurora Research
Institute – Mallik
International Gas Hydrate
Research Program Team
Andrew Applejohn
Scott Dallimore
Masato Yasuda
The Elders’
Wilderness Camp
Scott Mills
Charlie Tobac
Laura Tobac
Angus Shae
The Bear Facts – It’s your newsletter! Questions Comments Suggestions
We’d love to hear from you. Send us a fax @ 867-873-0629 or drop us a line at bearfacts@gov.nt.ca

Keeping Tracks Keeping Tracks Keeping Tr
Congratulations
to brothers Roger
Wah-Shee <strong>and</strong>
Johnny Van
Camp, who both
graduated from
the University
of Victoria Law
Program. Johnny
is a summer
student with
ENR <strong>and</strong> will
start articling
in Victoria in
September, while
Roger will begin his articling with Justice
this month.
Last month, the folks at
Primary Community Services
Unit in Population Health,
HSS, took advantage of the
warm weather <strong>and</strong> held
its Workplan workshop
on one of its employee’s
houseboats. L to R: (back
row) Lori Oake, Dr. Andre
Corriveau, Brian Kolback,
Donna Allen, Scott
Robertson, Faye Stark,
Vicki Lafferty, Yvette
Deleff; (front row) Carolyn
MacPhail, Mike Bennington,
Belinda MacFadyen,
Katherine Friesen.
Aurora College
Retirement wishes
go out to Al <strong>and</strong>
Lynn Dumont of
Fort Smith. This
husb<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> wife
duo have been with
the GNWT for 33
years – Al with the
College <strong>and</strong> Lynn
with PWS. Best
wishes as you enter
a new chapter in
your lives!
HR
Welcome to: Tim VanOverbeek,
Marketing <strong>and</strong> Promotion Officer; Val
Watsyk, Functional Recruitment Officer; <strong>and</strong>
Helen Minoza, Recruitment Administrator.
ITI
A big welcome to Sherman Beal,
Comptroller. Congratulations to Mark Patrick
on his promotion to Manager, Tourism
<strong>and</strong> Parks, in Norman Wells. Best of luck to
Ken Sollazzo, who leaves to pursue other
endeavours.
PWS
Welcome to Jinkook Park, Senior Network
Analyst, <strong>and</strong> best wishes to Marsha Burrill
as she moves on from the GNWT. Staff in
Fort Smith welcome Philip Norwegian,
Maintenance Electrician, <strong>and</strong> say goodbye to
Keith Morrison.
DCHSSA
A warm welcome to Claude Gingras,
Manager, Social Services, <strong>and</strong> Debbie Hyslop,
Licensed Practical Nurse.
YKHSSA
Welcome to Tracy Nadon-Kindla, Family
Community <strong>and</strong> Social Services Worker. Best
wishes to Janice McKenna, Karen Martin,
Melanie Pond <strong>and</strong> Yol<strong>and</strong>e Lawson as they
each head off to other pursuits.
STANTON
Welcome to Cindy Stoodley, Diagnostic
Imaging Clerk, <strong>and</strong> Zabrina Deans,
Switchboard Operator. Farewell to Cindy
Kohan, Jaime Reynolds, Janice Phillips <strong>and</strong>
Linda Kalbun as they leave to pursue new
endeavours. Best wishes to Pru Fern<strong>and</strong>ez on
his retirement.
JUSTICE
Best wishes to William Chipman, Teacher,
NSCC, on his retirement. A warm welcome
to: Rebecca Pitre, Intern; Eve Peterson,
Document Examiner; <strong>and</strong> Ken Sollazzo,
Relief Corrections Officer. Best wishes to
Andre Duchene, Debra Saftner, Sherri Aube,
Suzanne Pellerin <strong>and</strong> Will Rasmussen as they
head off to other pursuits.
SHSS
Congratulations to Elaine Doctor,
Community Social Service Worker, on her
retirement from the GNWT.
EXECUTIVE
Fond farewells to Daphne Dowbush <strong>and</strong>
Gerry Leprieur as they move on to pursue
other endeavours.
FMBS
Best wishes to Marilyn Jordan, Senior
Collections Officer, on her retirement.
FINANCE
Farewell to Gerald Gagnon as he moves
on from the GNWT.
MACA
Goodbye <strong>and</strong> best wishes to Melanie
Grindlay in all of her future endeavours.
DOT
A fond farewell to Erin Olovsen-
Clevel<strong>and</strong> as she finishes her internship <strong>and</strong>
moves on to pursue other endeavours.
WSCC
Welcome to Kathleen Marko, Assessment
Analyst, Iqaluit Office. Best wishes to Tina
Canadien, who leaves the finance unit to
move to High Level, AB. Good luck Tina!
ECE
Congratulations to Michael Saturnino on
his promotion to Regional Manager, Career
Development, <strong>and</strong> to Kelley Amrow on
her promotion to Employment St<strong>and</strong>ards
Inspector. A warm welcome to: Robert
Swan, Regional Manager, Income Support;
Clement-Eric Demers, French Translator;
<strong>and</strong> Emma Lacaille, Junior French Translator.
Farewell to Jodi Wilson <strong>and</strong> William Firth,
who leave to pursue other endeavours.
After 19 years with the GNWT, ECE staff
want to wish long-time northerner Debbie
Baert-Reid all the best as she moves east to
the warmer weather of Port Perry, Ontario.
Best of luck on your newest adventure!
All the best to
Sydney O’Sullivan,
Superintendent,
ECE, in the South
Slave Region, on
her retirement
after 30 years with
the GNWT. Her
<strong>skills</strong>, knowledge
<strong>and</strong> passion for
education inspired
all those around her <strong>and</strong> she will be sorely
missed by all who had the opportunity to
work with her.
Best wishes to
Marisa Monchuk,
who retires from
ECE after 24 years.
When Marisa
took on a project,
whether it was
learning a new
task or organizing workshops, she worked
diligently, patiently <strong>and</strong> thoroughly until
the task was 100% complete. A true team
player, Marisa will be missed by many!