HAPPY NATIONAL TECH SUPPORT APPRECIATION DAY! 


On June 30th, take your favourite LAN specialist, WEB Guru or Software Wizard out for a byte.

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 LOOK

You'll notice that our Website AND newsletter have undergone complete facelifts. Cool new graphics and crisp new look are courtesy of Akaujuk Ltd.. We now host the Consilium, Aarluk and ARDOS websites at www.consilium.ca. Take a bit of time and browse through the new sites, enjoy the pictures, check out the toolkit, and let us know what you think. First person to find the concealed jpg of Ron Ryan's ACTUAL golf score wins an Aarluk Sports Shirt.

NEW PROJECTS

After years of working together, the partners of Aarluk, Akhaliak and Earthlore joined forces last month to offer communications services in Nunavut under a single banner, as the Aurora Group. Akhaliak Promotional Products & Printing Services delivers a full range of professional printing and promotional services from their new, state-of-the-art facilities in Iqaluit. Aarluk has provided writing, editing, communications planning and training to communities, organizations and government departments in Nunavut for more than a decade: and Earthlore is one of Canada's leading Aboriginal design houses. Three times the talent, three times the efficiency, three times the quality - and one-stop shopping for all corporate communications needs, from concept to publication. Sounds good to us.

ARDOS has been awarded a standing offer to provide communications support to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Aarluk Consulting participated at this year's Nunavut Trade Show in Iqaluit, May 4-6, with their very own booth! Associate Consultant Lazarus Arreak and Managing Partner Terry Forth manned the booth and accepted business cards from all visitors which were later used in a special draw. Aarluk partner, Helen Klengenberg also put in cameo appearances, but was also busy at her own booth - Akhaliak Promotions and Printing Services. The winner of Aarluk's draw prize - a Deluxe (and we mean deluxe) Barbecue Tool set won by Carol Akeeagok of Qikiqtaaluk Corporation - Congratulations Carol! Lazarus Arreak is seen here discussing Aarluk's products and services with Wendy Halonen (Communications Department of the Executive GN).

ONGOING PROJECTS

Greg Smith and Fred Weihs are preparing a presentation of preliminary findings for the evaluation of the Benefits and Measures provided under the Canada-Nunavut Labour Market Development Agreement. Aarluk Consulting Inc. is conducting the evaluation for HRSDC. Five case study reports have been provided to the client, and the final project report is due at the end of June.

This month will see the publication the first official Aurora Group project...the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee's second independent annual report. It's been a busy and successful year for NITC. Highlights include a record number of scholarships granted, the highest ever level of workshop funding, a new website and newsletter, and the completion of a five year strategic plan.

HAPPY ENDINGS

Terry Forth tabled the results of a Review Of Operations, conducted by Aarluk Consulting, for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), and the three Nunavut Regional Inuit Associations. The project was launched to address a number of stakeholder concerns relating to the allocation of powers, functions, authorities and resources between NTI and the RIAs. All parties agreed that an examination of the roles and responsibilities of the four major Designated Inuit Organizations in specific areas would provide a useful foundation for further discussions on corporate structures and resource allocation, with the ultimate goals of improving service and maximizing benefits to beneficiaries, enhancing cooperation, and minimizing duplication. The Board will consider the recommendations, and undertake follow up action over the summer.

 

Ron Ryan facilitated a weekend workshop for the Kitikmeot Regional Youth Council on May 1 and 2nd in Cambridge Bay. Twenty-three Inuit youth from the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut gathered in Cambridge Bay to discuss issues of common concern, learn the fundamentals of "boardmanship", and agree on steps for establishing an effective Kitikmeot Regional Youth Council. The meeting was a follow up to a previous session, held in 2001 and delivered by Patti Black. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment of the participants is probably best summed up in the slogan chosen by participants to represent their emerging organization.

"Young, Fun, and Let's Get It Done!"

Jennifer David organized and facilitated the first ever Aboriginal Mentorship Workshop for the Canada Council for the Arts in Winnipeg, May 14-16. Twelve Aboriginal media artists were teamed with four Aboriginal media artist mentors, with the goals of assisting the artists on specific video/film projects. The workshop included group and one-on-one mentorship sessions, peer learning, and the opportunity to participate in small group workshops on various media topics. The event was a huge success. Thanks to Terry Rudden for inspiration and design support, and to the Canada Council for giving ARDOS the opportunity.

ARDOS President Dr. Valerie Assinewe attended the May 5-6th Union of Ontario Indians first forestry conference: Respecting the Resources, Sharing the Opportunities, and presented a talk on the role of traditional knowledge in pharmaceutical research.

GOSSIP

Tales from the Crib. Here's the official despatch, issued by Proud Dad Scott Black on Monday, May 10: "Tiny, mighty Benjamin Scott Black entered the world on Saturday, May 8 at 1:39 am. Mom didn't waste any time, as the wee bairn was born only 20 minutes after they arrived at the hospital. Yes, 20 minutes. Mom, Dad and Ben were admitted just after 1 am and left the hospital four hours later to recover at home." See, THAT'S how consultants do it...well planned, well timed, and with the minimum of fuss.

 

Birthday greetings to Aarluk partner and General Manager Terry Forth, whose birthday (June 15) is also National Steal-A-Kiss Day. Terry is pictured here with Natti Matthews in intensive shmooze mode at the Nunavut Trade Show in Iqaluit.

In early May Arluk/Consilium partner Fred Weihs and his family spent a week in the Florida Keys. Fred is not planning to exchange his day job for life as a fisherman.

TEN YEARS AGO

After six months in a tiny, crowded "rent by the month" space on Slater, the newly formed Consilium moved into their first offices on Argyle Avenue- our home for eight years. First official Consilium purchase on the books...a Canadian Tire Coffee Maker.

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