Our Featured Celebration

 

You're all familiar with Puxatawney Phil, Wiarton Willie, and all those other dreary mammal meteorologists. It may surprise you to know, however, that groundhogs do NOT have the corner on seasonal prognostication - they just have much better publicists. May 3rd is MARTIN Z. MOLLUSC DAY in Moorlyn Terrace Beach, NJ. If Martin (left), a hermit crab, sees his shadow, summer comes a week early - if he doesn't, summer begins on time.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CONSILIUM, AARLUK and ARDOS... In this corner of our site we'll be posting notes on new people, new projects, and new online materials you may find interesting. Enjoy, and come back often.

NEW PROJECTS          

How We'll Be Spending The Next Year. ARDOS Consulting Inc., in association with the Consilium Consulting Group and EKOS Research Associates, has been awarded the contract to conduct a Formative Evaluation of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreements (AHRDAS) for the federal Department of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC). This is a major evaluation which will take place over the next fifteen months, and will involve an international literature review, socioeconomic profiles, and detailed case studies of thirteen AHRDA holders from across Canada. The project manager is Greg Smith. Other team members will include Fred Weihs, David Boult, Ian Kenney, Jennifer David, Ron Ryan, Ryan Lotan, Alexandra Ker, Bill Vass, Carol Rowan, and from EKOS (who will be assisting with data assessment and analysis) - Norm Leckie, Ken Innes, Daniel Morris and Mira Svoboda. This will be the third collaboration on major evaluation projects for HRSDC between Consilium and affiliates, and EKOS.

 

Beginning in 2001, the community of Clyde River and the Nunavut Government’s, Department of Environment Parks and Special Places Division have been working together on the feasibility for a proposed territorial park to conserve and protect land in the area of Clyde River containing important archaeological and cultural sites, valuable wildlife habitat and outstanding landscapes offering significant tourism and recreation opportunities.  The Clyde River Park Feasibility Study area is 16,179 square kilometres, of which approximately one third of the land mass is rugged, glacier-covered mountain landscape that rises above the ocean. It includes the coastline along Baffin Bay west to the Barnes Ice Cap, and encompasses: Eglinton Fiord, Sam Ford Fiord and Walker Arm, Gibbs and Clark Fiords as well as the Barnes Plateau, Ayr Lake and Scott Inlet. The next step in the park feasibility process seeks to better understand the existing cultural heritage resources contained within the proposed park area. Aarluk’s Chris Grosset, Marla Limousin and Ian Kenney will compile and map existing cultural heritage resources, identify cultural heritage resources categories, and assess and define gaps in these categories.  Once the information has been collected, recommendations for a strategy for the eventual compilation of a comprehensive Cultural Heritage Resources Inventory in the Clyde River Territorial Park Feasibility Study Area will be prepared. Pictured top left:  Tent ring evidence of a past encampment in the study area, Right:  The amazing spires and sheer rock walls of Sam Ford Fiord in spring,  Photo credits: NUNAVUT PARKS/John Laird, 2003.

Ron Ryan, David Boult and Ryan Lotan are conducting a project that explores the barriers and challenges urban Inuit face when accessing federal employment and training programs. The research is being conducted at the request of the Inuit Human Resources Development Technical Committee (IHRDTC), and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Site visits include St. John's, Montreal, Winnipeg and Edmonton. The final report will be used to support the IHRDTC in its work with the federal government to address barriers to employment and training programs for urban Inuit. Team members were reportedly disappointed that there were no Inuit reported living in Hawaii.

 

ONGOING PROJECTS

 

 

Helen Klengenberg delivered two six day "Introduction To Supervision" workshops in March and April to Inuit employees working on DEW Line Clean-Up sites. Designed by Terry Rudden, Helen, James Arreak, Doreen Watson Donald and Patti Black, the workshops are designed to prepare Inuit employees to take on supervisory responsibilities in preparation for moving into management roles. Combining role plays, case studies and discussion, the workshops integrate culturally appropriate approaches with the actual needs and realities of a modern workplace.

 

 

Achieving Objectives Land Claims Conference, June 27-30, Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau: Recent events in Caledonia, Ontario have reminded Canada that the issue of Land Claims and their implementation is a real and pressing public concern. This historic policy-making conference will include sessions by Ethel Blondin-Andrew (former Minister of State), Fred Carmichael (Chair of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Group and President of the Gwich'in Tribal Council), and Justice Thomas Berger (who recently concluded an exhaustive review of the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement). Be part of this important process! Log on to www.consilium.ca/alcc2006 for registration information and our complete list of speakers and presenters.

 

Alexandra Ker, working with Terry Rudden, has completed her analysis of the Human Resources and training needs associated with implementation of the Deline First Nations self-government agreement. Pictured left:  Town of Deline, NWT

 

 

           

Ron Ryan and Leslie Sutherland assisted the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC) in co-operation with the Ontario Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement holders (Aboriginal Employment Centres) in Thunder Bay and London, Ontario with the launch of the first in a series of national forums - Workforce Connex. These forums will link regional private/public sector Aboriginal partners to help resolve barriers and create new opportunities for employers to effectively train, recruit and retain Canada's fastest growing and largely untapped workforce - skilled Aboriginal people who are ready and willing to fill the employment gap.

HAPPY ENDINGS

A final report on the March Conference on Economic Development, organized by the Kitikmeot Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) and facilitated by Ron Ryan, has been completed, and will be available shortly online at the KEDC website, http://www.kedc.ca.

 

A final draft Report on Needs Assessment for Support to Nunavut Fur Harvesters was submitted to the Department of Education, Government of Nunavut by project leader Greg Smith. Based on the research conducted by David Boult, Ryan Lotan and associate Brian Burke, the project reviewed current supports provided by the Nunavut Government to Nunavut's fur harvesters. Research tasks included surveying Inuit fur harvesters and wildlife officers across Nunavut and interviewing a wide range of government official and staff of Inuit organizations. Important notes: 1) Paul McCartney turned down our offer to be interviewed; and 2) almost no animals were harmed during the project.

Terry Rudden facilitated a meeting of representatives from the Inuvialuit, Nunatsiavut and Nunavut regions on the development of a Circumpolar declaration of principles relating to Inuit health. Stephanie Meakin of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and Sharon Edmunds of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami are leading the process, which is expected to culminate at the ICC General Assembly in Barrow, Alaska this summer.

Ron Ryan and Ian Kenney have completed their work with BEAHR (Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources), helping it to lay the groundwork for the eventual implementation of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP). This program will assist Aboriginal communities in the management of local fish habitat. Consilium assisted with contacting eligible groups in four of the five inland provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Québec), and putting in place regional consultants to assist the groups in developing implementation plans for the Department. These plans will be developed in the months ahead.

Greg Smith, Terry Forth and Terry Rudden have completed their involvement in the review of report sections for the 5 year review of the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement being conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for DIAND.

TEN YEARS AGO THIS MONTH

 

 

Terry Rudden facilitated a strategic planning session in Sioux Lookout for Wawatay, the Aboriginal Communications organization serving northern Ontario.

 

 

 

Ron Ryan and Terry Rudden completed initial policies and procedures for the Transition Team that would eventually become the Nunavut Water Board.

 

Greg Smith began planning a project with Newbridge Networks to deliver training to a group of banking and telecommunications personnel in Kazakhstan. Following delivery of the training, Greg and Fred Weihs travelled to Kazakhstan to assist with follow-up and evaluation of the project.

BIRTHDAYS

Light the candles and hoist the banner for for May's birthday soloist: Jennifer David, who shares the May 9th natal feast with Candice Bergen, James L. Brooks, Billy Joel and Mike Wallace.

GOSSIP

Communities across Canada are competing for the proud title of "Hockeyville", and Ron Ryan was privileged to find himself in Rankin Inlet for the official Hockeyville Photo Shoot, out on the ice behind the Sakku Building. That's him in the shot (look closely) standing right beside Lorne Kusugak, Rankin Booster Extraordinaire. If Rankin doesn't get chosen, something's wrong.  http://www.cbchockeyville.ca/home.php)

 

And speaking of Molluscs (remember?), Greg Smith and his wife Marianne spent a few days over Easter touring the eastern seaboard from Maine to Cape Cod. This included a couple of days in Kennedy compound territory (Hyannis, Massachusetts). There, Greg was reminded of the time in 1968 when, as a young campaign worker for the Robert F. Kennedy Presidential Primary in South Dakota, he and fellow traveller Ian Brooks had the opportunity to meet Ethel Kennedy and crooner Andy Williams' Lear jet during a stopover (they carried Andy's sweaters to town for his performance). An even bigger highlight was the day Ted Kennedy came to town and Greg was designated as the Senator's chauffeur, driving him from Rapid City to the small towns of Lead and Deadwood, where they visited the saloon where Wild Bill Hickok was shot. Their car was also mobbed by enthusiastic throngs of the faithful following a stump speech by Ted Kennedy, giving Greg a fleeting insight into the joy and terror of being a celebrity. As history buffs will remember, the campaign came to an abrupt end when RFK was assassinated in California, on the same day his victory in the South Dakota primary was confirmed. (Above: Greg sampling a special stunt lobster. No actual molluscs were harmed during the making of this newsletter.)

 

 

NEO-CLASSIC BREAD PUDDING WITH CARAMEL GLAZE

• 2 c milk
• 1 3/4 c real whipping cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 c granulated sugar
• 3-4 croissants
• 1 c mixed dried fruit ie. cherries, cranberries, apricots

GLAZE:

• 1/4 c butter
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1 tbsp corn syrup
• 1/4 c real whipping cream

1. Preheat oven to 325F.
2. Combine milk and whipping cream in pot and bring up to boil, then remove from heat and add vanilla.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar until thick and fluffy. Slowly whisk in the hot cream mixture.
4. Butter a 3L baking dish. Slice croissants into 1/2" thick slices. Press layer into bottom of dish, slightly overlapping (pack the croissants in there!). Sprinkle in fruit. Slowly pour egg mixture over top of croissants so they absorb the mixture – try to avoid having the croissants float.
5. Place the dish with the bread pudding into a larger roasting pan.  Pour hot water into the roasting pan until it is halfway up the side of the dish containing the bread pudding. Bake for 45-50 min. or until set.
6. Glaze: While the pudding is baking, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a heavy pot. Bring to boil and boil for 2-3 min. or until mixture is golden brown and thickened. Add cream and stir together. Cool. When pudding comes out of oven, pour caramel glaze over it. Serve warm of cold. Serves 8.

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