Aurora College Currents - Spring Summer 2013

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Prime Minister Harper meets AC employees in Hay River

Trades Awareness Program a huge success

Future Teachers learn valuable lessons on the land

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Aurora College CurrentsNewsletter for Students of Aurora College

Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013 Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013

Contents

This newsletter is published for the students of Aurora College and is produced by the Communications Office.

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Your contributions and comments are most welcome. Please send them to info@auroracollege.nt.ca or phone 867-872-7015

AurorA College CurreNtS Student Newsletter

Libraries are located at all three campuses and the Aurora Research Institute’s Inuvik location. They contain more than 25,000 books, periodicals, videos, government documents, and web-based resources. Internet access and inter-library loan services are also available.

Students have access to fully-equipped computer labs at all three campuses; most Community Learning Centres have computer labs or work stations. Every student can set up their own “myauroracollege” email account for their academic and personal use.

Campus Resources For more information on Student Services check out: www.auroracollege.nt.ca and click on Current and Future students.

Office of the President

Message from the President

Jane Arychuk, Aurora College President

It’s hard to believe that nearly two months have passed since the beginning of the 2013-14 Academic Year. It feels as though classes have just begun, and already we are into mid-term exams and assignments in many programs.

So far, this has been an exciting, busy year at Aurora College, as you can see by the many items in this newsletter - and this only scratched the surface of great things that are being done and accomplished by our students and staff. We would like to continue to celebrate and share those achievements and events with each other, our partners and the larger community. So I encourage you to forward what is happening in your classes, programs, schools, campuses and community learning centres to the Communications Office: info@auroracollege.nt.ca.

As well, check out our Facebook page for posting of current photos and upcoming events. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-College/131796776862510?ref=hl. Like us to receive regular updates.

I would like to applaud the organizers

of the Stay Safe Assemblies at Aurora Campus and Yellowknife North Slave Campuses. It is important that all students (and staff) know how to protect themselves and what their options and rights are in a number of situations. It is our responsibility as a College to do everything we can to help ensure the safety of everyone in our institution. These assemblies are an excellent way to share information and get people thinking about how to stay safe.

During the next few weeks, Thebacha Campus and Aurora Campus will host the Inquiry Exhibit, a then-and-now look at the impact of the Berger Inquiry on Canada’s north and the (then) emerging issues of Aboriginal land claims and environmental versus industrial concerns. The Inquiry Exhibit will be on display at Thebacha Campus from Oct. 28 until about noon Oct. 31, and at Aurora Campus Nov. 4–7. This exhibit is open to the public as well as students and staff of Aurora College. An opening ceremony will be held at each campus; watch around campus and on our Facebook page for more information.

In closing, I would like to remind students of the many services offered to them on each campus. The Student Success Centres, Wellness Coordinators and Student Counsellors are all there to support whatever needs you may have: academic, personal, family, financial, etc. You are not alone. As well, take advantage of the many extracurricular activities and events that are offered at each campus for students and families. Work hard, but have fun, too!

3. President’s Message4. ARI Holds Fourth Annual Research Poster Display Electrical Apprentice Wins Gold at Skills Competition Office Administration Students Get Hands-On Training5. PM visits Hay River Developmental Studies Student Wins Medals 6-9. New Staff Announcements Literacy Week at Aklavik CLC10. Trades Awareness Program 2013 A Huge Success11. ARI Summer Student Completes Last Summer Internship12-13. Future Teachers Learn Valuable Lessons On The Land14. Practice North Career Conference Connects Students with Employers15. Space Biologist Visits AC and Local Schools16. Jolene Lennie Completes an Internship at ARI 17-18. Literacy Week Events at Thebacha Campus 19. ENRTP Second-Year Students Display Research Posters 20. Summer Outreach Activities at WARC Northwest Territories Recipients Honoured During Literacy Week 21. Student Association Election Results 22. HEO Instructor Retires After 33 Years Developmental Studies Pilots New Reading Assessment Tool

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By ARI staffThe Aurora Research Institute

(ARI) participated in the 2013 Inuvik Petroleum Show (IPS) by holding their annual Research Poster Display. Held every June, the IPS is a two-day-long tradeshow and conference that brings together industry, government and regional stakeholders to discuss key issues relating to natural resource development and extraction in the western Arctic. The Research Poster Display is a great opportunity for ARI staff to showcase relevant research projects, results, and discoveries in the Beaufort Delta region. Posters were submitted by research

groups from across Canada and around the world whose research is based in the western Arctic. The Research Poster Display covered a wide range of topics this year, including spatial science,

The Aurora Research Institute holds 4th Annual Research Poster Display at the 2013 Inuvik Petroleum Show

coastal processes, aquatic biology, river ice, alternative energy, permafrost, and botany. It was nice to see how motivated the researchers were to contribute their work to the display. There were also several posters

dedicated to research projects that are led by ARI, including the Indigenous Seed, Wind Energy Feasibility, and PeopleACE projects. The PeopleACE display was interactive, allowing visitors to use lap tops to search historical NWT research licenses using an online database. There were also poster displays dedicated to some of the projects ARI is partnered on, including our regional air quality, permafrost, and water quality monitoring programs. All of the posters from the 2013 ARI

Research Poster Display are on display in the hallways of the Western Arctic Research Centre in Inuvik. Anyone

who’s interested in viewing them is welcome to stop by and take a look.

Electrical ApprenticeWins Gold at Skills Competition

Developmental Studies student Mi-chelle Bourke received gold medals for the highest marks in the NWT on the English 30-2 and SS 30-2 Departmental Exams in June 2013.

The medals reveal a clever mind, a skill with language and a lot of hard work and dedication. Excellent work Michelle.

School of Trades, Apprenticeships & Industrial Training student Richard Nearly took home the gold in the 19th Annual Skills Canada National Competition.

One of 16 members of the NWT skills team, Richard won the medal after a two-day competition which tested his ability in residential and industrial electrical work.

Richard, who currently lives in Yellowknife, was surprised and humbled by the win. Originally from B.C., he moved to Yellowknife over three years ago to work on his electrical apprenticeship at Aurora College.

This is the 15th time the Northwest Territories has completed in the event.

Students in the Office Administration Diploma Program at Aurora Campus are working hard on their latest assignment.

As part of their curriculum, students are required to plan out and execute a large special event. Encompassing skills learned in their certificate year, this year’s students in the Executive Office Procedures course are learning all about event management by planning an Aboriginal Wellness conference, to be held in early December.

Instructor Theresa Ross says “it’s a lot of work for the students, but the skills that they refine are essential to helping them succeed in the workplace.” She adds an administrative assistant will be called upon to organize and manage many different

events, both large and small. As part of the course, students brainstorm

ideas, establish terms of reference, write a proposal, develop a budget and then plan and execute the event. It’s a comprehensive project that covers everything from fund-raising, organizational skills, writing different types of letters as well as following up and doing some self-evaluation.

This year’s conference will include aboriginal games and food, along with such topics as how to manage stress, developing personal organization skills, and learning how to incorporate and balance family wellness.

Students at Aurora Campus and their families will be invited to participate in the day-long workshop once a date is set.

Office Administration Students Get Hands-on Training

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in Hay River in August to make an announcement about funding for mine training. While in Hay River, the prime minister and several federal ministers visited the Hay River Community Learning Centre to speak with a former student. He took a few moments out of his schedule to pose with some Aurora College employees (from left to right). Shannon Laffin, Community Adult Educator (CAE), Hay River, Ken Latour, Regional Program Head, Akaitcho & South Slave; Janice Mercredi, Divisional Administrative Assistant, Hay River; Yvonne Hopkins, CAE, Fort Liard; Jane Arychuk, Aurora College President; Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Heather McCagg-Nystrom, Vice President, Community & Extensions; Laurie Ann Lines, CAE, Ndilo-Dettah; Adam Smith, CAE, Hay River; Dean Harvey, CAE, Fort Simpson; Brandon Ashcroft, Building Trades Helper Instructor, Hay River.

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Mike Pickles has taken on the role of Program Head, Bachelor of Education, with the School of Education. He holds several degrees, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education. Pickles has two decades of teaching experience: 18 years in Canada, as well as stints in Guyana, Ecuador and Malawi (Africa). In addition, he is a published author.

Mike Pickles, Program Head, Bachelor of Education

Dan Brown is the new Senior Instructor of the Thebacha Campus Developmental Studies Program.

He has spent his working life tending to the needs of people: first as an EMAII Paramedic in Vancouver, and then as an educator in the Northwest Territories. While working in emergency services, he successfully competed in First Aid/Paramedic competitions across Canada and around the world, winning two World Championship titles.

After 15 years in emergency services, he decided to change his profession and surroundings. He enrolled in the Aurora College Teacher Education Program at Thebacha Campus, graduated with honours and completed his Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, finishing on the Dean’s List. Brown taught in Behchoko and Fort Providence before returning to Aurora College to instruct. He recently completed the course requirements for this Master’s in Education Administration, and is completing his thesis: Experiential Learning and its Impact on Dene Post-Secondary Completion.

Dan Brown,Senior Instructor,Thebacha Campus Developmental Studies

Sharon Miron is responsible for the overall academic and philosophical leadership and management of the School of Developmental Studies and its faculty College-wide with particular emphasis on maintaining academic excellence and integrity in the School. She works very closely with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment as ALBE curricula is Ministerial approved. In addition, Miron will work closely with three ALBE Senior Instructors located in Fort Smith, Yellowknife and Inuvik. She is the ALBE/Access curricula lead for the School of

Diane Reed comes to Aurora College with a professional history which includes roles in teaching, research, and administrative leadership in post-secondary education institutions in Western Canada. These include Medicine Hat College, the Open Learning Agency, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, the Native Education College, and the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Most recently, she held the position of Interim and Founding Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Fraser Valley. Dr. Reed’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a Master’s degree in Adult Education and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership & Policy, both from the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Reed’s work experiences in post-secondary education include planning, development, management, and evaluation of programs of study. She has worked with programs in distance, open, and distributed learning formats as well as more traditional approaches to organizing curriculum and facilitating learning, including in institutions with multiple campuses. Through her formal education and work in post-secondary institutions, and in government, Dr. Reed brings experience with the challenges of how post-secondary institutions organize themselves to respond to learner and community needs, what their academic and administrative accountabilities are, how they are governed, and the importance of partnerships. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys the challenge of integrating theory and practice in her professional activities and helping others do the same.

Dr. Diane Reed, Vice President of Education & Training

Sharon Miron, Chair, School of Developmental Studies

Aurora College has welcomed a number of new faculty and staff members recently. We would like to introduce you to some of them. If we have missed anyone,

please let us know so we can include those new employees in the next newsletter.

Marina Devine is responsible for negotiating and managing the development of new programs, program evaluations, corporate funding and third-party projects and will work jointly with the Director of Finance on accountability related activities.

She has had a long and varied career in northern public administration, communications and higher education. Most recently, she worked with the NWT Legislative Assembly as Assistant Director of Research, Library and Information Services, supporting MLA committees, reviewing Auditor General of Canada reports, the NWT Public Accounts, legislative proposals, and departmental business plans. She was the Manager, Adult and Post-secondary Education at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE). Devine has taught in the Developmental Studies and Bachelor of Education programs at Thebacha Campus and worked as the College’s Senior Research Analyst. Previously, she spent ten years with NWT Aboriginal groups, as Executive Director of the Western NWT Aboriginal Summit and the Native Communications Society, and Executive Coordinator of the NWT Metis Nation, among others. She also worked as a print and broadcast journalist and communications consultant, a Ministerial executive assistant, policy advisor, and evaluation research officer.

Devine has lived in the Northwest Territories since 1975. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, including studies in Inuktitut, from Carleton University; a Master of Arts in Public Administration, also from Carleton; and the Aurora College Certificate in Adult Education. She’s also just three credits short of a Master of Arts in English from the University of Victoria, but says completion of that degree will likely be a retirement project.

Marina Devine,Manager,Program Development

Trevor Clark comes to Aurora College’s School of Business and Leadership with a wealth of education, experience and expertise.

He holds three degrees from the University of Alberta: Bachelor of Science, Masters in Business Administration and an LLB. He has practiced law – both in private practice and as corporate counsel – and was a Managing Director for the Legal Education Society of Alberta. His instructional experience includes accounting, business law and economics at several post-secondary institutions, including University of Alberta, University

Trevor Clark, Chair, School of Business and Leadership

of Lethbridge, Keyano College and NAIT. In addition, he has taught at the University of New South Wales, Australia, and in China. Clark has also been an Academic Chair at SAIT. His other accomplishments include co-authoring the Business Law in Canda textbook and its companion website.

Clark is committed to academic excellence and academic integrity. He strives to incorporate the use of technology to engage students. As well, he believes strongly in achieving goals through teamwork, collaboration and consensus building.

Developmental Studies.Miron has a Bachelor of Education

and a Master’s Degree in International/ Intercultural Education. She taught with Edmonton Public School Board, overseas in two countries, and with the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta. As a District Resource Teacher in Bhutan, Asia, she was responsible for the administration and implementation of a modernized curriculum for the elementary schools in one district of the country.

Miron grew up in Hay River and returned

to the north in 1998 to Aurora College. She taught in Developmental Studies for 12 years in Hay River, Yellowknife and Fort Smith as well as in the Teacher Education Program. While teaching Developmental Studies in Yellowknife, she was seconded to develop the Exit Exams for the ALBE English courses. In 2009, she received the Aurora College Service Quality Award for her work in completing the Ministerial approved ALBE 120-150 English Exit Exams. This past year, Miron worked as the Acting Chair of the School of Developmental Studies.

Pauline Gordon will be taking on the role of coordinating the Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program this year.

She has an extensive background in education in the North, including several years as NWT Assistant Deputy Minister of Education. We are pleased that Pauline Gordon has agreed to join us and bring along her passion, knowledge, and many years of experience in the field of education.

Pauline Gordon, Coordinator, ALCIP

Lia Ruttan is returning to Aurora College in the position of Manager / Instructor, Social Science Research Programs. She will also be instructing in the health and human service programs at the Yellowknife Campus. Dr. Ruttan lived in Fort Smith for many years. More recently she has worked in social and health research with Aboriginal communities and also taught university courses in Edmonton, where she received her doctorate in Human Ecology from the University of Alberta. Her thesis involved extensive oral history work with Elders from Fort Smith regarding how their

perceptions of their own history differ from Western perceptions and how that affects interaction with current Western institutions. Dr. Ruttan has published articles on research on culturally adapted substance abuse prevention projects, homeless youth, community-based participatory research methods and research ethics.

She is looking forward to connecting her earlier work with the college and her interim experience with new work with the college faculty, staff and students.

Lia Ruttan, Manager/Instructor,Social Science Research Programs, ARI

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www.auroracollege.nt.caFeel out of the loop? Check out: www.auroracollege.nt.ca

Event schedules • Program information News Stories • Contact information

And much more...

Lisa Gosse Instructor, Bachelor of Education Program Thebacha CampusLeah Desjarlais Instructor, Thebacha Campus Developmental Studies Thebacha CampusJanet Ferguson Instructor, Bachelor of Education Program Thebacha CampusEric Hoogstraten Instructor, Inuvik Learning Centre Inuvik CLCKumari Karunaratne Instructor, ENRTP Thebacha CampusGreg Nissen Instructor, Housing Maintainer Aurora CampusDavid Tilley Instructor, Inuvik Learning Centre Inuvik CLCKathleen Mullin Student Life and Wellness Coordinator Yellowknife CampusJonathan Wood Student Life and Wellness Coordinator Aurora CampusShane O'Kane Counsellor Aurora CampusChristopher Camenzuli Information Technology Technician Yellowknife CampusMahalia Villibrun Asset and Inventory Officer President's OfficeCharlene Elias Security-Custodian Aurora Campus

New staff members 2013/2014 Academic Year

While discussing tactics during a WWII history lesson, Bachelor of Education students were ambushed by instructor Peter Kikkert.

NWT Literacy Week at Aklavik CLC(Left) Edward McLeod celebrates Literacy Week 2013.

(Right) Theme for NWT Literacy Week 2013 is ‘Financial Literacy’.

Zahra Khimji is the new Senior Instructor of the Inuvik Community Learning Centre. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master’s of Education. Her northern teaching career began in Hay River, where she was a supply teacher and the coordinator of the After School Homework Club for the Hay River Metis Council. She continued on to Tuktoyaktuk, Fort Good Hope and Inuvik. In Fort Good Hope, Khimji taught high school math and science and organized the school science fair.

In 2006, she began working as an Adult Educator in Tuktoyaktuk; her efforts to help

Zahra Khimji, Senior Instructor, Inuvik Community Learning Centre

learners succeed earned her the Aurora College Innovation Award. In 2009, Khimji left Aurora College to join Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik as the Senior High Math and Science teacher. During her time at Samuel Hearne Secondary School, she organized the school and regional science fairs, launched the Brain Gain Program, and travelled with her students to an orphanage in Ehiopia. Her students have won two bronze and one silver medal at Canada Wide science fairs and the Minister’s Award for Academic Achievement in Biology 30 and Math 30-2.

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By Erika Hille and Jasmine BrewsterAt the end of August 2013, Jasmine

Brewster completed her last summer as a summer student at the Aurora Research Institute (ARI). Since she started her Biology degree at St. Francis Xavier University in 2009, Jasmine has been spending her summers working at ARI in Inuvik. In her own words, “This job has not only given me the experience I needed to continue on to a Masters program, but it has also opened up connections in the research world that I hope to use in the future.”

During her time at ARI, Jasmine has worked with many research groups and has been exposed to a broad range of research disciplines. For example, this past summer, Jasmine worked with a Masters student from McGill University, whose project looks at the effects of shoreline melting and slumping on the invertebrates living in streams. “This has given me a preview of what life in a Masters program will be like,” she says. Jasmine has also worked with field research teams investigating the ecology of Noell Lake, collecting water, chlorophyll, and zooplankton samples. She says, “This allowed me to experience different methods of sampling, whether it was sampling from land, a boat or a helicopter. Also, working on this project has taught me a lot about the important components of natural lakes and how they’re analyzed.” Other unique experiences Jasmine had this summer included surveying beluga populations in the Arctic Ocean and taking part in Ocean’s Day in Sachs Harbour.

Jasmine Brewster finishes her last summer as a summer student at the ARI

ARI summer student, Jasmine Brewster, geared up to college invertebrates from streams near Fort McPherson

After she completes her Biology degree, Jasmine would like to pursue a Masters degree in Marine Ecology. “Working at ARI has uncovered my interest in marine ecology, and has pushed me to continue my education in this field,” she says. “Working at ARI has opened me up to so many opportunities. I’ve developed many useful skills which will aid me in the future.

Not only have I acquired the skills and experiences of a lifetime, but I have also developed close relationships with the ARI family. The memories and experiences I’ll take away from working here are some of my best.”

Everyone at ARI wishes Jasmine nothing but the best as she moves on to the next stage in her research career!

Students from across the South Slave were in Fort Smith September 23-27 to participate in the popular week-long Trades Awareness Program (TAP) at Aurora College, Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith.

More than 50 students gained hands-on experience as they rotated through several trades, including Cooking, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician and Carpentry. TAP is a partnership between Aurora College, the South Slave Divisional Education Council (SSDEC) and GNWT Education, Culture & Employment - South Slave Region.

“Aurora College’s Thebacha Campus has skilled instructors and well-equipped shops that make this a real skill-building opportunity for the program participants,” says Diane Reed, Vice President, Education & Training. “Students who attend these programs will have a unique understanding of what it takes to be successful in the trades field after they graduate from high school.”

The Trades Awareness Program exists to give students in small high schools access to the trades shops, equipment and instructional expertise available at Aurora College, as well as the Fort Smith business community.

“Typically, because of their small size, many schools in the NWT are not able to offer a variety of trades programs,” notes Curtis Brown, Superintendent of the SSDEC. “Our students benefit greatly by this. Student interest is definitely there. Our partnership with Aurora College and the ECE Career Centre in Fort Smith has benefitted hundreds of South Slave students since its inception.”

The partner organizations believe this form of hands-on trades exposure will assist youth in planning for their futures. Jacqueline McLean, EC&E Regional Superintendent for the South Slave remarks, “We welcome the opportunities that these partnerships present for providing youth with work related experience, skills development and career related resources that are meaningful for students.”

Since 2005, the Trades Awareness Program has provided exposure to the trades and other College program offerings to junior and senior high students in the South Slave. The program is now in its eighth year.

Trades Awareness Program 2013 A Huge Success

Newsletter story ideas? We are publishing another newsletter in early 2014. Please send story ideas to:

info@auroracollege.nt.ca

Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013 Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013

Future Teachers Learn Valuable Lessons On The LandBachelor of Education students complete culture camp

Bachelor of Education students were joined by Elder Fracois Paulette on a three day Culture Camp. Pictured (left to right): Ken Tourangou, Francois Paulette, Peter Kikkert (instructor), Paige McDonald, Aleda Lafferty, Mike Pickles (Program Head), Alexa Linaker, Deanna Johnson, Scott Lough and Sonia Minoza.

The Slave River remained calm and pristine throughout the culture camp. Alex Linaker and Deanna Johnson share a laugh on dish duty while being supervised by instructor Peter Kikkert.

Students help set up MacPherson tents. Francois Paulette teaches instructor Peter Kikkert how to make a moose call.

Sonia Minoza, Deanna Johnson and Aleda Lafferty smile for the camera. Sonia Minoza locks and loads for the rabbit hunt.

Water for coffee and tea boiling over a campfire. Francois Paulette referred to these two friendly buffalo as the protectors of the camp.

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The Aurora College School of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services, held a Practice North Career Conference Oct. 2 in Yellowknife.

Almost 170 students from the Masters of Nurse Practitioner (MN-NP), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Social Work (SWK) and Personal Support Worker (PSW) programs had the unique opportunity to meet with health authorities, government departments and non-profit organizations to discuss field practicum and employment opportunities upon graduation. Non-profit organizations in attendance included the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, NWT Social Work Association, Aurora Research Institute, Yellowknife Association for Community Living, Side Door Youth Centre, Avens, Centre for Northern Families, and the Territorial Treatment Centre. All these agencies have a long-standing and successful partnership with the School of Health and Human Services. In addition to meeting the NPs, Nurses, Social Workers and PSWs of tomorrow, many agencies left with a roster of potential volunteers for their many programs.

One particularly popular booth was the Aurora College 2013 new graduates. Graduates from the BSN, SW and PSW programs spoke to students about the process of searching for and securing a job, sharing tips from their experience. All the graduates have secured employment, demonstrating yet again how Aurora College prepares students for demanding and rewarding careers in Health and Social Services.

The Aurora College Student Services Department, GNWT Student Financial Assistance Program, and GNWT Department of Health and Social Services shared information about funding opportunities to students. A highlight for the students was the opportunity to interact with representatives from some of the GNWT health authorities. The

Beaufort Delta, Tlichio, Deh Cho, Fort Smith and Yellowknife Authorities were a strong presence, invigorating students with ways in which their communities could meet their needs in a student placement and as a professional in the demanding health and social services field. Lisa Balmer, a second year BSN student stated that the conference was “helpful to see what is out there for practicums and employment in the north,” adding that the energy in the room was exciting.

The afternoon was spent engaging

in detailed discussions with the health authorities about professional opportunities as well as attending sessions delivered by representatives various GNWT departments on resume writing, interview skills, bursary programs, population health and cultural awareness. All sessions were well attended and presenters provided students with excellent opportunities to build their career search skills as well as learning more about how to meet the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories.

By Jolene LennieIn the past year I’ve had the opportunity to

be a GNWT Northern Graduate Employment Program Intern at the Aurora Research Institute (ARI) in Inuvik. In my time here at ARI, I’ve had the opportunity to do various jobs throughout the building - although I have to admit I have a passion for being out in the field. I’ve had the chance to assist in many research projects, and to visit many field sites. Experiencing my first helicopter ride was most definitely a highlight of my internship.

I’ve now lost track of how many times I’ve flown in helicopters. I’ve also taken part in a lot of field work at Noell Lake, northeast of Inuvik. When we’re at Noell Lake we take a lot of water samples and data profiles of things like temperature and conductivity - both in winter and in summer. Winter work is most definitely a harder, more strenuous job because it includes a lot of shoveling, ice auguring and wet, cold hands! Kudos to the ARI technicians who do this type of work year after year.

At ARI there’s also a library that’s chock

Jolene Lennie Completes an Internship Year at ARI

Jolene Lennie, ARI Intern, measuring over-ice snow depth at Noell Lake.

full of interesting and rare materials. I’ve had the opportunity to take on a role in organizing the library and making it more user-friendly for the public and students. This involves some very time-consuming tasks such as repairing damaged books, inventorying the map collection, ordering new products to make the library more user-friendly, and of course, a ton of shelving! We’re all hoping that more

students and members of the public will come and check it out, as it contains a lot of interesting and valuable material.

All in all, my year as an ARI Intern flew by. I’ve learned a lot of new things, and I’m happy to report that my internship has turned into a casual position – so I continue to work at ARI, in both the library and the field.

Practice North Career Conference connects students with employers

Thebacha Campus and Fort Smith schools were visited recently by the Canadian Space Agency’s Tomatosphere – a hands-on experiment that challenges students to think about life support systems in space. Since its inception 11 years ago, more than 14,000 classrooms have participated in the program. One of its developers, Dr. Mike Dixon of the University of Guelph, posed with students from JBT Elementary School in Fort Smith after his presentation. Dr. Dixon is a world leader in research and technology for using plants and microbes in life support systems in space. He is also the project leader for a research team investigating the biofiltration of indoor air as a method for reducing “sick building syndrome.”

Students and presenters rubbed elbows at the Practice North Career Conferece in Yellowknife.

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NWT Literacy Week at Thebacha CampusNWT Literacy Week at Thebacha Campus

September 23rd-27th was a busy NWT Literacy Week 2013 at Thebacha Campus.

Story Time - We had 50 little visitors over the week, as the Head Start and Nursery School programs made the campus library a field trip destination. Each year our B.Ed. students read to the preschoolers – the kids love it and it’s great practice for our student teachers. They all did such a wonderful job! It’s not easy keeping 3- and 4-year-olds engaged for a half hour, but they managed it (with the occasional escapee – especially if a mother happened to walk by).

The annual Book Give-Away Table in the campus foyer was emptied and re-filled daily, with many great donations from staff offering a little something for everyone. Another staple, the Question of the Day, brought a steady flow of contestants and prizes for the lucky winners.

Writers’ Showcase featured six Aurora College students and staff who presented some of their writing to a lunchtime crowd of 50 in the library: Dan Brown, (Senior Instructor, Developmental Studies, led the line-up with a powerful poem he wrote about his days as a paramedic in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. DS students Charles Mantla and Elizabeth Beaulieu were inspirational with their posters they had created in English class, both of them speaking on the imagery they used both visually and textually to convey their emotions. B.Ed. student Jamesie Fournier read an

excerpt from his short story, “Children of the Strike,” published in the 2012 NorthWords anthology, Coming Home: Stories from the NWT. Janet Ferguson, brand new to Aurora College and teaching in the School of Education, précised her September 2013 Education Canada article on project-based learning. And Mike Pickles, Bachelor of Education program head, wrapped things up with a story

from his recently published book, Hug Someone You Love Today, about his time teaching in Guyana.

Digital Literacy was a special focus in the B. Ed. Program this week: students Della Beck, Heather Burch, Jamesie Fournier, Kristen Froese, Theresa Kakfwi, Alexa Linaker, Scott Lough and Treeva Richardson, participated in an in-class presentation in which they had to incorporate Technology

into Literacy Week for their computer course 440-107. “The students have a great awareness of the importance of literacy and that technology is an amazing tool to help spark the interest in reading among our students,” remarked instructor Mike Pickles.

Many thanks go to all the students and staff who participated in this year’s NWT Literacy Week celebrations at Thebacha.

Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013

Students and staff were treated to a lunch hour Writers Showcase during Literacy Week 2013.

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ENRTP Second-Year Student Display Research PostersBy ARI staff

Even though the Western Arctic Research Centre (WARC) has been open for a couple of years now, a lot of the kids in Inuvik haven’t had a chance to see the inside of the building yet. Often the best part of having them come visit WARC is seeing how they react to all the different rooms - and the people working there! One highlight is typically the Research Library. Kids love exploring the different types of maps in the map collection, and looking at the archaeological finds that are on display from all across the Mackenzie Delta. Another highlight is the labs. On most days during the summer, the kids will be able to watch lots of researchers working in the three WARC labs. Researchers are always open to sharing their work with the kids and answering questions – in fact, for many of our researchers, this is a highlight of

Summer Outreach Activities at the Western Arctic Research Centreworking at WARC.

During the summer of 2013, WARC hosted a number of children’s groups, including the Inuvik Preschool Society, the Inuvik Youth Centre, and the Kivuni Summer Day Camps. Each group visited WARC for a few hours to tour the building and do some interactive and educational science activities with the ARI staff.

The youngest age groups got to make lava lamps in the lab, and volcanoes in the yard. The 5 and 6 year olds from the Kivuni Summer Day Camp used Ziploc bags and lard to make a glove that mimics the blubber found in seals, beluga whales and polar bears. They were able to test these Blubber Gloves using the walk-in freezer at WARC. This activity demonstrated how marine mammals in the Arctic keep warm in the winter. The 7 and 8 year olds learned what a food chain is and, using examples from the Arctic, were able to make their own. The oldest group, the 9 to 12 year olds, played an active game that

Davie, from the Inuvik Preschool Society, watching his homemade lamp in action.

demonstrated a common behavior seen in polar animals, Selfish Herding. The staff at ARI has just as much fun facilitating the science activities as the kids have participating in them!

Recipients of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and the Ministerial Literacy Awards were honoured during the annual Adult Learners’ Luncheon in Yellowknife.

The awards, created by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in 2002 and the Council of the Federation in 2005, recognize adult learners who have overcome learning and literacy challenges or championed literacy to learners of all ages.

the award recipients for 2013:Kathleen Taylor - The Ministerial Literacy

Award is given to NWT youth learners (ages 16 to 25) who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their own literacy development and who have been role models for other youth.

Simone gessler and Rachel Gauthier - The Ministerial Literacy Award is given to NWT teachers, tutors or literacy facilitators, who have demonstrated an

Northwest Territories Recipients Honoured During Literacy Weekoutstanding dedication to literacy.

Tuktoyaktuk Public Library - The Ministerial Literacy Award is given to NWT organizations, literacy committees or programs which have advocated for literacy and improved literacy levels in their communities.

Bertha Goulet - Council of the Federation Literacy Award is given to an adult learner who has overcome obstacles and demonstrated outstanding progress in the pursuit of literacy skills in any of the NWT official languages.

Announced earlier this summer, this is a special medallion awarded in each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories to celebrate outstanding literacy achievements. The award is customarily presented to an adult learner. Goulet is a mother of four from the community of N’dilo. She recently returned to school after many years and has just completed the eight-month

“Believe in Yourself” program, which is a first step towards pursuing post-secondary education. This program is run through the N’dilo Community Learning Centre, operated by Aurora College. Goulet is a leader in the classroom and a role model in her community, and always encourages her peers to do their best and pursue their goals. Despite her many family and work obligations, she maintained a perfect attendance record for all of her courses this past year. In recognition of her outstanding success in her studies, she was chosen as this year’s class valedictorian. Goulet plans to continue her education and pursue a career in the health field.

The awards luncheon, provided by Aurora College and hosted by the NWT Literacy Council, is a highlight of NWT Literacy Week. It is supported by funding from the Department of Education Culture and Employment.

Craig Robinson explains to Kevin Smith (ENRTP Program Head) how human disturbance, predators, and weather can affect Piping Plovers nesting along a populated beach in Nova Scotia. His findings are expected to help Bird Studies Canada develop better management plans for the recovery of this species at this beach.

Loren Hudson, working with ENR Forest Management Division in Hay River, discusses with Danny McDonald, a fellow colleague in the program, the economic value of the logging industry in Northwest Territories, so his research is geared towards understanding tree growth under different conditions at a site (Western Boreal Growth and Yield) that has been monitored over the last 20 years.

Katie White, who worked as a summer assistant for Parks Canada Agency at Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), is focusing her research on Canadian Toads to understand why populations dramatically fluctuate at the edge of their distribution. She is determining what special properties, if any, at this hibernaculum site in WBNP allow toads to overwinter.

Pierre Berube worked for the Polar Continental Shelf Program in Resolute Bay, Nunavut this past summer. This job allowed him to network with a biologist from Government of Nunavut, and to participate in an aerial survey to estimate Peary caribou numbers and habitat usage on Bathurst Island during a critical period for this endangered animal.

Baa! Kara Hendrie got an opportunity to work with biologists from ENR Wildlife Division in Norman Wells to survey Dall Sheep in the Sahtu Region. She is looking to relate hunter observations to numbers present in this region.

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Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013

President Claire BrookesVice-President Martin JorgeTreasurer Melanya Grigoryan Secretary Vidya Tripatai

Program representatives: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Year 1 Ashley DebogorskiYear 2 Daniel Gunn Year 3 Caroline ChenierYear 4 Violca Memedi

Developmental Studies English Simpson Tabassum

Social Work Year 1 Leslie Marie, Alyssa Carpenter

Business Administration Access Vacant

Nursing Access Vacant

Business Administration Year 1 Vacant

Business Administration Year 2 Vacant

Personal Support Worker Vacant

Social Work Year 2 Vacant

President Nicolena Minakis Vice-president Sasha Firth Secretary Richard Tetso Treasurer Tommy Gordon oHS John Koe Program representatives: Business Administration Maja Haogak, Vacant (alternate)

Developmental Studies Vacant, Vacant (alternate)

ENRTP Alicia McRae, Katherine Norad (alternate)

Nursing Access Lyle Storr, Vacant (alternate)

Office Administration Bambi Amos, Vacant (alternate)

Social Work Access Phoebe Ruben, Renie Edwards (alternate) Teacher Education Maribeth Pokiak, Priscilla Haogak (alternate)

Teacher Education Access Vacant, Vacant (alternate) Trades Access Vacant, Vacant (alternate)

President Felicia Beaulieu Vice-president Aleda LaffertyCommunications VP Vacant Secretary /treasurer Nadine Kodakin Activities Coordinator April Manuel

Program representatives: Bachelor of Education Vacant

Business Administration Tamara Schaefer

Business Administration Access Vacant

Developmental Studies Justin Labell

ENRTP Jeanette Lockhart

Nursing Access Vacant

Office Administration Maureen Anikina

Trades Access Vacant

Student Association 2013-14 Election results are listed below. A big thank you to all who ran and congratulations to our winners. Students association representatives work tirelessly on behalf of our student body. Please show your support for Student Association events. If you are interested in putting your name forward to fill a vacant position, please contact the Student Association on your campus.

Aurora Campus (Inuvik) thebacha Campus (Fort Smith) Yellowknife North Slave Campus

Student Association 2013/2014Election Results

Aurora College Currents - Autumn 2013

Gordon Mercredi, Senior Instructor of Aurora College’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Program, will retire September 30, after a total of 33 years of instructional excellence. Mercredi, who lives and teaches in Fort Smith, first worked with Aurora College in 1977.

The Heavy Equipment Operator Program can be traced back to Aurora College’s beginnings. The first program offered by what is now Aurora College, the HEO program continues to be one of the most popular. Over the years the HEO program has evolved to offer courses in

Gordon Mercredi Celebrates RetirementAfter 33 years of Instructional Excellence

communities throughout the Northwest Territories.

“Instructors like Gordon have been integral in helping hundreds of NWT residents get post-secondary training and great paying jobs,” says Jane Arychuk, President of Aurora College. “He is one of the unsung heroes of our organization and he will be missed.”

Mercredi is currently wrapping up his last HEO class. His plans for retirement include working on his home in Fort Smith and relaxing.

For approximately the past six months, the School of Developmental Studies has been piloting a new reading assessment tool that could help make the process of placing Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) students in the correct level of ALBE English courses quicker, easier and more accurate.

The Nunavut Adult Placement Assessment (NAPA) is set up so that

it aligns with the current ALBE English Curriculum, as set out by the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment. As well, it is designed in and for the north, with northern themes and northern stories, making it more culturally relevant than other available tools.

Sharon Miron, Chair of the School of Development Studies, says the tool

Developmental Studies pilots new reading assessment is of high quality, is user friendly and easy to administer. While there are currently no plans to discontinue using the current placement tool (Canadian Adult Reading Assessment), Miron says that NAPA could be another assessment or placement tool that could be useful to help correctly place ALBE students.

Gordon Mercredi’s last HEO class. Pictured (left to right): Allan Browning, Instructor Kevin Young, Instructor Mickey Hamilton, Senior Instructor Gordon Mercredi, Richard Lambert, Max Fuentes, Steven Lafferty, Brenda Lafferty, Cory Minoza, Howard Elleze, Kayla Harwood, Pierce Lepine, Francis Rabesca, Danny Edda. Missing from photo: Joeseph Tobac.

Gordon Mercredi retires after 33 years of teaching.

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All of our campuses are currently accepting applications. Apply early, as seats in programs and housing are limited.

Apply Today

Whether you are graduating from high

school or are a mature student looking for a better future, Aurora College has a program for you.

www.auroracollege.nt.ca

Aurora College has a program for you!School of Arts and Science

• Environment and Natural Resources Technology (Diploma)• Environmental Monitor Training • Contaminated Sites Remediation Coordinator

School of Business and leadership

• Business Administration (Certificate and Diploma)• Office Administration (Certificate and Diploma)• Northern Leadership Development Program

School of education

• Bachelor of Education (Degree)• Teacher Education Program (Diploma)• Early Childhood Development (Certificate)• Certificate in Adult Education• Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor (Diploma)

School of Health and Human Services

• Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner Primary Health Care Stream (Degree)

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Degree)• Social Work (Diploma)• Personal Support Worker

School of trades, Apprenticeship and Industrial training

• Apprenticeship Carpenter• Apprenticeship Electrician• Apprenticeship Plumber/Gasfitter• Apprenticeship Housing Maintainer• Apprenticeship Heavy Duty Equipment Technician• Observer Communicator Training• Building Trades Helper• Camp Cook• Heavy Equipment Operator• Introductory Carpentry• Introductory Plumber/Gasfitter• Oil Burner (TQ) Special• Pre-Apprenticeship Carpentry• Pre-Apprenticeship Heavy Equipment Technician• Introduction to Underground Mining• Underground Miner Training• Mineral Process Operator Pre-Employment Training

School of Developmental Studies

• Business Administration Access• Environment and Natural Resources Technology Access• Social Work Access• Nursing Access• Teacher Education Program Access• Trades Access• Trades Access II

Aurora Campus (Inuvik)1 (866) 287-2655

thebacha Campus (Fort Smith)1 (866) 266-4966

Yellowknife North Slave Campus1 (866) 291-4866

Application Information:

Our network of 23 Community Learning Centres deliver Adult literacy and Basic education (AlBe) and skills-based programming. Contact the Community Adult Educator at your local Community Learning Centre for more information on current and future programming.

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