Our Featured Celebration

May 8 is Lost Socks Day. The origins and intent of this Festival are a bit obscure: it is not clear whether we are intended to mourn our Lost Socks or ponder the mystery of their disappearance, or if this day marks a covert gathering of Lost Socks, convening in secrecy to celebrate their escape from pedal servitude. For the scientifically inclined, the best theory explaining the puzzle of Lost Socks was advanced by the renowned Irish philosopher and scientist De Selby, who opined that the combination of extreme heat and rapid rotation to be found in modern clothes driers can, under the right circumstances, propel single socks into another dimension.

NEW LOOK

Constant readers, your long wait is over. We are delighted to present the widely anticipated, new, improved, (and pretty darn good if you ask us) logo for Stonecircle. Many thanks to our creative designers at Beat Studios.  We’re also proud of our new tagline, a statement that captures our commitment to helping you achieve your goals.

                                        “Your Vision.  Our Insight."

It ain’t over yet. Stay tuned for next month's newsletter, when Stonecircle will launch their our new website.

                

And as though all that weren’t thrilling enough – fans of fine logos lucky enough to be attending the Nunavut Association of Municipalities meeting in Nunavut this week are being treated to the first unveiling of the newly refurbished Aarluk logo. Watch this spot for a grand unveiling next month.

NEW PROJECTS 

The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation has led the way in the development of Aboriginal television in Canada, from its initial satellite experiments in the late 1970s to its leadership in the development of the world’s first national indigenous television service, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. After twenty five years in rented digs, IBC is finally looking for a home of its own. Aarluk will be assisting IBC in the development of a fundraising strategy for a network production and uplink centre in Iqaluit – watch this space for opportunities to support one of the most successful cultural broadcasters in Canada. Besides, this story gives us the opportunity to namecheck Melanie Legault, who asked earlier this week: “So how do I get my name in the Consilium newsletter?

(By the way, IBC is looking for a trainer to work for a year with their award-winning Takuginai unit – an incredible opportunity for anyone interested in learning about the Inuit north from the inside.)  For further information:  http://www.playbackonline.ca/careers/1979/

 

    

Stonecircle will be working once again for the National Aboriginal Health Organization, with whom we have developed quite a good working relationship in recent months. This time, Ian Kenney, Jennifer David, Greg Smith and Christian Cloutier will be working together to carry out a "process and impacts" evaluation of the organization, which will run over the next 14 months into June 2009.

ONGOING PROJECTS

In spring 2006 the federal government responded to a crisis in Nunavut by providing $200 million for public housing. In October 2006, the Nunavut Housing Trust Delivery Strategy was approved. The Delivery Strategy was intended to support job-creation, community–based economic development initiatives and targeted training plans to enhance the positive social impacts of intensified construction. The Aarluk team, consisting of project manager Chuck Gilhuly, Denis Simard, Don Sandercock, Terry Rudden, Terry Forth, and Geoff Rigby are carrying out an initial review of the implementation of the Delivery Strategy to date.

The Weather Gods smiled this month on Terry Rudden, who this month actually made it to Rankin Inlet for a meeting with Regional Wildlife Organizations and Nunavut Inuit Wildlife Secretariat staff on policies and procedures to support Nunavut’s Hunters and Trappers Organizations. The meeting was excellent, as was Terry’s accommodation at the Chateau Dean, Rankin’s newest, highly exclusive spa/restaurant/Scrabble Parlour/luxury accommodation. Pictured above left to right:  Terry Rudden, Lydia Tarry, Bert Dean, Valerie Meyok, Raymond Mercer Jr., Rita Tutanuak, Jason Mikki, Martha Padluq, Graeme Dargo and Richard Connelly .

Stonecircle Consulting Inc. has nearly completed its contribution to the Summative Evaluation of the AHRDAs (Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement Holders), pending review of the draft report by HRSDC. Project partner TNS Canadian Facts is completing additional detailed quantitative data analysis, and the project should be completed by the end of June, 2008. Project Manager Greg Smith and a large team of staff members and associates completed extensive research across Canada for the evaluation.

HAPPY ENDINGS

Following the announcement of new federal funding for the James Bay Crees of Québec, Greg Smith recently facilitated a meeting of the Chief and Council and other representatives of the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi. The planning session, held in Montreal, was to develop community priorities, with costs, for projects eligible under the Cree-Canada New Relationship Agreement. This recently signed agreement provides more than $1 billion to the nine Cree communities over a twenty-year period for a range of capital and other projects.

 

 

CED Plans ‘R Us:  It was a busy month putting four final Community EconomicDevelopment plans together for Nunavut Hamlets.  In March and April the work was completed (or brought to the final stage) for the Hamlets of Whale Cove, Arviat, Hall Beach and Clyde River.  A long list of Committee members and support people in each community would take an entire newsletter to name, but the folks at Aarluk and Consilium (Chris Grosset, James Arreak, Okalik Eegeesiak, Ron Ryan, David Boult, Christian Cloutier, Geoff Rigby, Jennifer Bradshaw and Leslie Sutherland) wish each community well with achieving their development goals over the next five years.

GOSSIP

 

 

Everyone in this office likes to read books, but Jennifer David occasionally writes them. Her latest will be published on May 15th “Careers in the Skilled Trades: A Resource for Aboriginal People” is full of tools, tips and resources for Aboriginal people considering apprenticeships in Ontario.  It’s published by Ningwakwe Learning Press at www.ningwakwe.on.ca. Film rights, as of May 1st, are still available.

 

 

Here’s a story that confirms what a tangled a web the Consilium world inhabits. David Boult is currently in Thailand, visiting a retired friend who just left Nunavut to run a bar. Dave’s friend is Shawn Thomas, who worked for years with the aforementioned Inuit Broadcasting Corporation. Shawn also worked with Terry Rudden at Skyline Cablevision in their past lives: and to tangle the plot even further, Shawn’s Xerox franchise was bought out by Aarluk partner Helen Klengeberg. Coincidence? Destiny? Hey, whose lost socks are those?

As part of our long-standing practice of shameless self-promotion in the newsletters, including an ongoing series of diving videos (Terry Rudden, you know who you are) and books (why, hi, Jen!), Greg Smith invites readers, friends and relatives to move to scenic Almonte. This beautiful little town 15 minutes from Kanata has spawned and/or housed many Consiliumites, including Fred Weihs, Ryan Lotan, Chris Grosset, Greg Smith and, if the nearby hamlet of Richmond also counts – Leslie Sutherland. Greg and a partner will soon be offering for sale some spectacular condos in a heritage stone mill overlooking the waterfall in downtown Almonte. The premium location is a fifth floor, 2100 square ft. penthouse with optional 900 sq. ft. more on an upper level and private roof deck. An additional bonus feature is the great fine dining at Fitzgeralds Restaurant on the ground floor. The first condos will be available later this summer. More to come, including photos, in a future newsletter. (Editor’s note – I’ve seen it. It’s gorgeous.)

 

BIRTHDAYS

 

Our one and only birthday celebrant this month is author, manager, consultant, and official Stonecircle Chocolate Bank Overseer and Guardian Jennifer David. Now, you may be wondering what you can get for the woman who has it all – wonderful family, terrific job, and of course the most amazing colleagues on the planet. Well, as it turns out, there is ONE thing that Jen needs…a researcher. See below.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!

As you know, Stonecircle Consulting is the Aboriginal management consulting company affiliated with Consilium. Stonecircle offers services and expertise in the areas of policy and planning, communications, and economic and community development.

We are looking for a self-motivated researcher who meets the following minimum requirements:

University degree or college diploma in the areas of economics, commerce, community development, or business administration

Must be an Aboriginal person (FN, Métis, or Inuit)

Willingness and ability to travel

Some research experience

Bilingualism is an asset, though not required

Please email Jennifer David, Manager at jdavid@stone-circle.ca for a full job description or to submit your CV. Write “Researcher Position” in the subject line.
 
Deadline to apply: May 20, 2008

SPECIAL FEATURE: 

An old friend and client recently concluded a note to us with the kind observation that “Consilium Rocks!” Well, yes, we do. And here for the first time we present indisputable photographic evidence of Consilium’s Rock and Roll Heart, stretching from the sixties to last year.

We thought you might have some fun with this, so we’re inviting you to match the Consultant you THOUGHT you knew with their Inner Rocker. The highest scoring response will win the Soon-To-Be-Legendary Stonecircle Mystery Promotional Item.

 

The Evidence	The Band	The Consultant?
	Shattered	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden
	Solo Artist	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden
	Wolfgang Cheetah Sound Express	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden
	Freelance	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden
	Bojarski, ___ and Fraser	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden
	Solo Artist	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden
	Exit	____ Chris Grosset ____ Chris Cloutier ____ Chuck Gilhuly ____ Fred Weihs ____ Geoff Rigby ____ Ian Kenney ____ Terry Rudden

 

   CHECK BACK EVERY MONTH FOR MORE CONSILIUM NEWS, TOOLS, AND GOSSIP.