Our Featured Celebration

This month marks the hundredth and thirty fourth birthday of the legendary Emily Post. Forced into a writing career after her banker husband abandoned her for a showgirl, Ms. Post parlayed her serene sense of social superiority into a lifelong and legendary career as the Arbiter of Proper behaviour for us all, long before Martha Stewart. Indeed, who among us has not turned to her “Etiquette” for guidance when trying to determine the preferred colour of a footman’s livery, or whether the word “taxi” is too vulgar for use in mixed company?

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 ARRIVALS

A flourish of Aarlukian trumpets for Geoff Rigby, who joined Aarluk in early September to work as a research assistant and guitarist, and has been sweating upon his arrival. Ottawa’s blistering, scorching 20 degree weather has made Geoff, a lifelong resident of Iqaluit, deeply thankful for the invention of the personal fan. Geoff graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies, and has worked for the Nunavut Research Institute, the World Wildlife Fund and the Nunavut Economic Developers Association.

 

 

This fuzzy little guy is the latest edition to the Lotan household. QE (spelled QE, and pronounced QE) is currently in the process of training Ryan and Leila in the art of puppy parenting, and by all accounts they are making great progress.

NEW PROJECTS      

Jennifer David and Ian Kenney, with design support from Terry Rudden, are preparing for a one-day workshop with members of the Alliance of Sector Councils to discuss Communications and Stakeholder Relations.  Up to twenty Sector Councils are expected to attend.

 

ONGOING PROJECTS

Good Morning Whale Cove!!!!" Chris Grosset spent a week in Whale Cove working with the Hamlet Community Economic Development Committee on their five-year community plan for economic development. One of the visit’s highlights was a live call-in radio show that featured Chris started talking about community vision statements in his best disc jockey voice. BBM ratings confirm that Chris beat out both “Heroes” AND “Dancing With the Stars” in Whale Cove that magic night.

 

It’s that time again - hamlet employees are getting ready for another round of training sessions. This is Aarluk’s third year delivering a wide variety of courses. Our keen and highly qualified instructors include Ron Ryan, David Boult, John Matthews and Frank Pearce who in September began with the first round of courses as part of the Municipal Training Organization’s efforts to support capacity development within community governments. We delivered Public Sector Finance courses last month in Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, and Qikiatarjuaq; the Management Communications course was delivered in Sanikiluaq. Pictures left to right:  James Kowcharlie, Lucy-Ann Appaqaq, Thomas Kutluk, Alice Takatak who all participated successfully in the Management Communications course in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut last month.

 

 

HAPPY ENDINGS

The final “Clyde River Cultural Landscape Resource Inventory: Strategy and Recommendations” report was presented in September to the Government of Nunavut Division of Nunavut Parks and Special Places. Prepared by Chris Grosset and team, the strategy will be a groundbreaking approach to conducting future park inventories. The community driven process combines traditional knowledge of the environment that is integral to Inuit culture (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit) with the best practices in scientific approaches to resource inventory work. Chris was supported by Christian “Clootch” Cloutier and Ian Kenney. Dr. Nancy Pollock-Ellwand carried out precedent research, and Leslie Sutherland and Jennifer “Sprocket” Bradshaw got the massive final document out the door. Gary Aipellee provided valuable asstance In the community. Key community Project Committee members were Ningirapik Arnakak, Leah Arreak, Jayko Ashevak, James Qilliq and Mary Tassugat.

Sleep-deprived but triumphant, Jennifer David submitted two research reports for two clients this month.  The first was a report for Human Resources and Social Development Canada on the work being undertaken by Sector Councils in the area of Essential Skills.  HRSDC is planning to publish five success stories as part of a information booklet about Essential Skills.  The second report was for the Alliance of Sector Councils and highlighted the success stories and innovative work being done by Sector Councils.
                    

BIRTHDAYS

 

No fewer that four distinguished celebrants mark their birthdays this month (which, by the way, is the month with the largest number of births): our pop culture guru Ryan Lotan on the 15th, “Sprocket” Bradshaw on 18th, Valerie “DON’T call me Val” Assinewe on the 22nd, and of course, St. Crispin himself on the 25th.

 

GOSSIP

 

Unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to get a job at Consilium. Take the sad case of Kent Huskins, an old friend of Ryan Lotan’s from Almonte, for example. Ryan and Leila had the opportunity to visit with Kent at a family BBQ and catch up on the news. It seems Kent is now reduced to playing hockey for a living, working for some team with the unlikely name “Mighty Ducks”. Strange fellow…apparently brings his own silverware with him to parties.
(Left to right: Ryan, a Dalek, Kent, Leila)

 

Jennifer David and Chuck Gilhuly did the Consilium Consulting Group proud when they played in the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association Golf Tournament last month in Aylmer, Quebec. Consilium was also one of the event sponsors.  Jen and Chuck were joined by Gord Williams and John Dion, to make a foursome.  Not only was the weather fantastic, but the day was an astonishing victory for Team Consilium by triumphantly avoiding last place.

 

 

In other extra-curricular news, Renaissance Man Ian Kenney is now the Ottawa writer for Toronto-based art magazine MASS Art Guide. The magazine showcases the best gallery and museum exhibitions in Canada, and around the world, with a particular focus on Toronto, Montreal, New York and, now, Ottawa! Appropriately, Ian’s first assignment happened to be an upcoming exhibition by well-known Cree artist, Jane Ash Poitras. He is also now working on an audio interview with the artist for the magazine’s website. You can see Ian’s article, and information on the exhibit here (http://www.massartguide.com).

 

 

 

 

The shareholders and senior management of the Consilium Corporate Group met for two days at Econiche in the Gatineau Hills north of Ottawa to complete corporate strategic plans for Consilium, Aarluk and ARDOS. It was the first time all three companies had sat down to plan together, and the results…well, we can’t tell you about it right now, but watch this newsletter for some very exciting announcements over the next few months. Pretty cool stuff happening.  (Back row, l to r: Chuck Gilhuly, Greg Smith, Terry Forth, David Boult, Patti Black, Ron Ryan, Terry Rudden, Chris Grosset. Seated, l to r: Jennifer David, Fred Weihs, Helen “Gilligan” Klengenberg.)

 

 

Ottawa weather being what it is, the Consilium Corporate Group staff relocated one afternoon during last month’s heat wave to the oasis of Leslie’s pool, where Terry Rudden inducted The Clootch and several adventurous staff into the mysteries of scuba diving, while Leslie and Jennifer stood lifeguard watch. Thanks to their benevolent surveillance, absolutely no researchers were harmed during the taking of this photograph.

 

 

THIRTY YEARS AGO LAST MONTH....

We challenged our readers to identify this thirty-year old caricature, and not too surprisingly, no-one got it – despite the subtle hint on the young man’s briefcase (notice the initials?) It is, of course, our own Ron Ryan, who even back then was stretching to bridge the gap between communities and resources.

 

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale… told by Paul Murphy, Helen’s hubby.

 

As you know, Helen recently acquired a new boat…a 20' Misty River Viper. Unfortunately she ran into a bit of trouble on the boat’s maiden voyage. Monday last Helen and her crew became stranded on a sandbar between Tuk and Paulatuk due to the weather. Waiting for the weather to clear enough for a float plane to bring in gas and water, they camped on the dry part of the sandbar for four days of rain, high wind and cold temperatures. Then on Friday night/ Saturday morning the sea washed over the sandbar and flooded their camp. At 10.00 a.m. I called Coast Guard in Inuvik, who they dispatched a Sikorsky Helicopter to pick them up. By 2 p.m. they (individually) were in a warm shower in Tuk with their clothes in the dryer. Unfortunately the boat remains, now surrounded by a moving sandbar. It needs to be towed out if it is to be recovered. NTCL Hay River is going to check out the area to see if they can get it out. Thank God for Marine Insurance.  And obviously, thank God for the Coast Guard.

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