November 2, 2007 - Government of the Northwest Territories

THENovember 2007Volume 11 • Issue 11F A C T SA Newsletter for Employees of theGovernment of the Northwest TerritoriesThe Healing ContinuesThe federal government’s ResidentialSchools Settlement process is wellunderway and the process will affect manyNortherners, including GNWT employees.The GNWT is part of the NWTResidential Schools InteragencyCommittee, which also includesrepresentatives of NWT Aboriginalgovernments, Seniors’ Society, residentialschool support groups and societies,churches, the RCMP and the federalgovernment. The committee is meetingregularly to plan for coordinated,interagency support for Northernersthrough this challenging and emotionalprocess.One of the activities that has resultedfrom the interagency meetings is thecreation of a GNWT toll-free number,1-877-873-7315, and a web site atwww.nwtresidentialschools.ece.gov.nt.ca. These contacts are designed tobe an NWT-specific location to find allthe different kinds of information thatsurvivors may need, including contacts forcounselling and residential school societysupports, such as the Healing DrumSociety, links to the Common ExperiencePayment and Independent AssessmentPayment forms, and links to other helpfulinformation.Susan Baines is the ResidentialSchools Coordinator at Education,Culture and Employment. She has beenresponding to questions through the tollfreenumber from across the NorthwestTerritories and Nunavut, and says thereare many common concerns. Whetherproviding programs and services toNortherners, supporting community andfamily members, or as survivors ourselves,here are a few basic things to know:1. There are two parts to the federalapplication process. The CommonExperience Payment (CEP) is apayment of $10,000 for the first yearat a residential school, plus $3,000for every school year following. TheCEP is for all former residential schoolstudents. The Independent AppealProcess (IAP) is an additional processto provide settlement for those whoexperienced sexual or serious physicalabuses.2. Application for the CEP does notrequire a lawyer. Applications can befound online at www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english/index.html, and by phone at1-866-925-4419, or at band offices.3. It is suggested that participants in theIAP DO consult a lawyer. The HealingDrum Society can help with the IAP at1-866-898-3893.4. School attendance does not have tobe confirmed individually. It is upto the federal government to findand confirm records, and share themwith former students, once they haveapplied.5. Northerners will need documentationto prove who they are – either a birthcertificate or two different governmentissued identification documents.6. At any time, Aboriginal crisiscounsellors are available by calling1-866-925-4419 if you need help. Youcan also contact the toll-free number,1-877-873-7315, or web site atwww.nwtresidentialschools.ece.gov.nt.ca/ for a list of potential NWT-basedsupports.The NWT Residential SchoolInteragency Committee will continue towork to provide current informationto Northerners about thisprocess.Submitted byShawn McCann, ECE

of oUr owNTheresa WolfeTheresa Wolfe is a dedicatedemployee, mother of three andfundraising superstar. Year afteryear, she spearheads the Workers’Compensation Board’s (WCB) communityfundraising activities. Her communitymindedspirit and genuine concern forpeople make us proud to call her one ofour own.When she started with the WCB in1994, the organization already hada strong commitment to fundraising.Theresa’s charitable efforts beganwhen she joined the Christmas FamiliesCommittee. Then, one year, she noticedthe need to get things going again, andso she spearheaded the Terry Fox Team.“It all snowballed from there,” she says.For the past seven years, Theresa hasled the WCB’s fundraising efforts. Theorganization annually participates inthe Terry Fox Run and Relay for Life, anddonates to the Salvation Army and FoodBank. Money is raised through bakesales, silent auctions, basket raffles andthe individual fundraising of staff. Everydollar raised represents the hard workof WCB employees.Since 2003, the WCB has consistentlyraised over $10,000 each year for nonprofitorganizations. This past year,the WCB Relay for Life Team raised$6,655.01 forthis event alone!Theresa is quitepositive that, sinceshe has been at the Board, it has easilyraised close to $100,000.Theresa may be the name and face offundraising, but admits she can’t do iton her own. “There are so many peoplewithin the WCB that get on board100 percent. Luckily, we have a greatcommitment from our staff; it makesorganizing easy.”Her leadership and dedication makeit easy for WCB staff to get involved.Everyone is included in the process,whether they are a Terry Fox Teammember, walking the survivors lapat Relay for Life, or the winner ofthe Thanksgiving basket raffle. Everycontribution, big or small, is recognizedand appreciated.“I believe you get back what yougive. It is a great feeling when you canlook back and say that you helped makeyour community a better place,” saysTheresa. Not only does she make theYellowknife community a better place,but she makes our workplace bettertoo. The WCB wouldn’t be the samewithout her.Submitted by Danielle Walsh, WCBA Message From Premier Floyd RolandWhen I firststarted out ingovernment Iworked for theDepartment ofPublic Worksand Services inInuvik. I was atthe frontline and met some terrificpeople. I worked in government forsome years, but now my role haschanged and I am very pleased tohave been elected Premier of the 16thLegislative Assembly.Already our government is hardat work and I want to thank youall for your commitment and focusthrough the transition period. Wehave an excellent civil service and willbe depending on you in the comingmonths as we move forward with ouragenda to improve life for the peopleof the Northwest Territories.Thank you.Premier Floyd RolandLong Service Employee Passes AwayPaul Winston HannaMarch 28, 1945 toSeptember 30, 2007Paul beganworking in the northin the mid-1980s.He remained withthe Department ofPublic Works and Services until illnesstook him away from his job in 2005. Paulhad a long career with the GNWT inthe Computer Technology field, endingas Manager of Service and ProcessDevelopment with the TSC.Very much respected throughoutthe GNWT, Paul was the one everyoneturned to when they required a varietyAon the BackOne hundred and forty-nine peoplewere nominated for the August GoldenHost Award, which recognizes frontlinetourism workers for extraordinaryservice to visitors in the Yukon. Amongthose chosen for the award were thestaff of the NWT Visitor ReceptionCentre in Dawson City, Yukon.Congratulations to ITI staff, ReijaWarren, Evelyn Loreen, Heidi Warrenand Dawn Kisoun who should feel veryproud that they received a total of onehundred and thirty-four nominationsof “Computer Services”. Paul wouldwork 24/7 and was available around theclock, whenever required. Paul enjoyedthe challenges that came his way, andwas always there to keep staff wellinformed about procedures and ensurethat they were followed.Paul’s extracurricular activitiesincluded travel and work with theCouncil for Persons with Disabilities aswell as with the Diabetes Association.Paul will certainly be missed withinPublic Works and Services, and thosewho had the pleasure of working withhim will carry on as the professionalsthat Paul mentored them to be.Submitted by Joan Nelson, PWSNWT Visitor CentreWins Award!this season and were selected for theYukon’s Golden Host Award for August.Their extraordinary service has beendescribed as excellent. They are a veryinformative, knowledgeable, friendlygroup of people who obviously lovetheir work and it shows. Congratulationsand keep up the good work!“Thank you from the Yukon” saidYukon Minister of Tourism and Culture,The Honourable Elaine Taylor.Submitted by John Cournoyea,ITI, InuvikSeen here are Reija Warren, Minister Taylor and Evelyn Loreen. Not shown, staff Heidi Warrenand Dawn Kisoun.

Keeping Tracks Keeping Tracks Keeping TraLEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLYWelcome on board to LisaShearing, Library Technician.HRWelcome to: Amber Bohnet, DataManagement Clerk; Renee Thomas,Leave Benefits Administrator; MarthaWilliams, Pay Officer; Connie Jones,Leave Benefits Administrator; KristineWoolgar-Barrett, AdministrativeAssistant; Angela Canning, DataManagement Clerk; and ShantanaWood, Administrative Assistant. A fondfarewell to Nicole Dion.STANTONWelcome to: Caroline Green,Health Records Clerk; Darlene Hodder,Clinical Programs Assistant; KarrmonWalz, Relief Registration Clerk; RuthJohnson, Billing Clerk; Sheila Cruz,Relief Registered Nurse; and RhodaWalsh, Manager Medical Services.All the best to departing employeesRobert Snow and Tina Drew.MACAHay River staff welcome PatrickClancy, Resource Developments andImpacts Advisor.DOTWelcome to: Lisa Miller, Financeand Administrative Clerk; CurtisMercredi, Supervisor, SurfaceStructures; Dan Downes, HighwayMaintenance Operator; B.J. TeesHeisler, Contracts Administrator; andMaher Abulteen, Senior Engineer.PWSWelcome to: Mary Pond,Administration Clerk; Jim Biggs, SeniorOperations Clerk; and Dave Burton,Purchasing Officer.HSSWelcome to Belinda MacFadyen,Seniors and Persons with DisabilitiesConsultant.YKHSSWelcome to Cammy Daoust, ClinicSupervisor, Accounts Receivable.ITIWelcome to Kevin Todd, RegionalSuperintendent, North Slave Office, andRichard Zeiba, Director, Tourism andParks. Staff bid farewell to Phil Lee,Gerry LePrieur and Sandy Kulak.ECEWelcome to: Marc-AndreLachapelle, Financial Planning andBudget Analyst; Oscar Carrillo, ReliefSecurity Guard, PWNHC; RobertMedernach, Relief Security Guard,PWNHC; Tracy Downes, AdministrativeSupport Supervisor; and Debra Gilliam,Student Support Coordinator. All thebest to Wendy Stephenson andAngela Norwegian as they leave topursue other endeavours.BDICWelcome to: Nicholle French, Policyand Communications Officer; TonyaSkanes, Business Advisor; and ChrisTaylor, Manager Business Programs.Best of luck to Tracey-Lynn Lower inher new position with Finance.WCBWelcome to new employees: HafeezEsmail, Information System ProjectOfficer; Denise D. Guy, InvestigationsCoordinator; and Susan Martin, PolicyAnalyst.Farewell to Marina Powles andDiane Hartford. Good luck to SamShannon, who has left for England tobecome a lawyer.2007 ControllerConferenceThe 2007 Controller Conference isbeing held in Yellowknife November27 to 29. Space is limited and fillingup quickly. For more informationand to register, please contactandrea_leier@gov.nt.ca