September 5, 2008 - Government of the Northwest Territories

September 2008
Volume 12 • Issue 9
A Newsletter for Employees of the
Government of the Northwest Territories
International Polar Year
Last month, Anna Bergen, a
Nurse Educator Mentor with the
Department of Human Resources
in Yellowknife, boarded the CCGS
Amundsen, a Canadian research
icebreaker, for a two month
voyage along the arctic coast.
Bergen was selected, along with
other Northerners, to assist in the Inuit Health Survey
conducted by the Centre for Indigenous People’s
Nutrition and Environment (CINE) through McGill
University. Funded in part as an International Polar
Year (IPY) project, researchers on board will conduct
a series of interviews and tests hoping to improve
healthcare planning in the North.
International Polar Year is a large scientific
program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from
March 2007 to March 2009. During this two-year
program of science, research and education, Canadian
and international researchers from universities,
northern communities and governments will work
to advance our understanding of the cultural, social,
economic and health dimensions of the circumpolar
north.
Bergen, along with 40 other health professionals,
including Anita Pokiak from the Beaufort-Delta
Health and Social Services Authority, and Scott
Robertson from Health and Social Services, will travel
to communities throughout the NWT and Nunavut
collecting data that will help find answers to questions
about the health and wellness of Inuit people. When
asked about what participating in the CINE research
study meant to her, Anna said, “Research is an
interesting part of nursing that few have a chance to
experience. I can’t think of a better place to do it!”
Bergen explains that adult participants from
randomly selected households completed initial
parts of a survey in their community. They answered
questions on household crowding, food security,
alcohol and drug use, mental health and community
wellness. The second part of the survey is done in
person with participants having clinical appointments
on the ship itself, or where researchers go on the land
into the communities to meet with them. They will
conduct interviews, take blood samples, do tests for
diabetes, blood pressure and bone marrow, and even
take X-rays’s when necessary.
The Amundsen is not the only place where
GNWT employees can be found participating in IPY
projects. Many departments have contributed to this
research initiative throughout the North, including
our Territorial Archaeologists, Tom Andrews and Glen
Mackay from the Department of Education, Culture
and Employment. Andrews and Mackay have been
out in the field this summer conducting a second
science camp in the Mackenzie Mountains which
is part of the Ice Patch Study. Their plans this year
involve looking for new possible ice patch sites and
taking additional ground penetrating radar scans and
ice core samples.
Another exciting IPY related project involved
archaeological excavations at the Pond Site in the
outer Mackenzie Delta, led by Dr. Charles Arnold of
the PWNHC. When asked about the project, Arnold
said, “The month-long excavation of an ancient
Inuvialuit village that was discovered by the PWNHC
in the 1990’s added important new information about
the village site, and for the first time in northern
Canada, laser scanning technology was used to
document architectural remains in an archaeological
site.”
CCGS Amundsen
The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources is also involved in several projects that
include studies on population ecology and dynamics
of arctic grizzly bears in a changing environment, as
well as musk ox and woodland caribou interactions in
the Sahtu.
Helmut Epp with the NWT Centre for Geomatics,
is the Chair of the NWT IPY Advisory Committee and a
member of the National Committee. Epp highlighted
opportunities for a number of youth who participated
in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, and stressed
the importance of community and aboriginal group
involvement with the projects. When asked what IPY
means for Northerners he said, “Northerners have had
the opportunity to lead or be involved in a number of
IPY research projects which has and will increase their
research knowledge. All of these (projects) will benefit
Northerners and build on the legacy of northern
research.”
The Government of the Northwest Territories
supports the invaluable work of IPY and continues to
work with our communities to ensure they have the
opportunity to participate and benefit from this work.
Benefits from IPY projects include higher demand for
goods and services from scientists, researchers and
their teams; as well as individual benefits through
the involvement of residents like Anna, Tom, Andrew,
Charles, Scott, Anita and others, in research activities.
If you would like more information on
the Inuit Health Survey or to track the
progress of the Amundsen through the
arctic, visit: http://www.inuithealth
survey.ca/?nav=home

Passwords
Set this up, and you’ll
never forget your Self Service
password again! Over 1,600
people have set up the “Forgot Password”
feature in Self Service (PeopleSoft) – This
means that, at the click of a button, an
automatic password is e-mailed to you right
away if you ever forget your password.
Setting this up will eliminate the call to the
Helpdesk to have them re-set it for you!
So help us serve you better by setting up
the “Forgot Password” feature – in five
easy steps! Check out www.hr.gov.nt.ca/
hrsystems/password.htm to find out how.
Benefits Plan Numbers
You can find your Medical, Dental and
Pension benefit plan numbers on Self Service
through the following path: Self Service >
Benefits > Benefit Plan Numbers.
Mandatory Leave
In previous years, eligible employees
received five days of Mandatory Leave
Without Pay over the Christmas season. This
year, there is a change! In 2008, there are
four days of Mandatory Leave Without Pay
and one day of Leave With Pay to be taken
over the Christmas season. Find out more
about this change, and how to enter these
hours, online at
www.hr.gov.nt.ca/hrsystems/mlwop.htm
Timesheet Entry
Employees can go back up to one prior
pay period to add or make changes to their
timesheet entries. Time Approvers can go
HR BeAr In mInD
back up to two prior pay periods to add or
make changes to their employees’ timesheets.
If you need to add or make changes to any
present or future timesheets, you can do this
yourself - anytime, anywhere! A secure link to
Self Service on the HR Homepage is available
from any Internet connection.
Calculate Your Pension
In July, all eligible employees received
a pension statement in the mail. It showed
a snapshot of what your Superannuation
pension benefits were on March 31, 2008,
before the new fiscal year. If you would like
to calculate what your pension is now, or
what it could look like in the future, check
out the online Pension Calculator at
www.hr.gov.nt.ca/payandbenefits.
Prescription Eye Glasses
Eyeglasses and contact lenses that are
necessary for corrective vision are covered
under the Public Service Health Care Plan.
You are eligible for up to $275 every odd
calendar year. The current two year period
started on January 1, 2007. So, if you haven’t
purchased eyeglasses on or after January
1, 2007, you can still do so before the next
coverage period begins again on January 1,
2009. For more information, check out www.
pshcptrust.ca/english/plandetails/coverage.
shtml
For more information on these, or any
HR-related questions, please contact the HR
Helpdesk: HRHelpdesk@gov.nt.ca or phone
920-3409 or 1-866-475-8162.
Leadership Development Programs
The Department of Human Resources
offers a series of leadership development
programs in co-operation with the University
of Alberta’s School of Business. These
programs were originally developed for the
Government of Alberta’s management and
senior management groups and have a strong
public service focus.
The Leadership Development Program has
three levels:
• Emerging Managers’ – for GNWT managers
who have been in a management role
for less than three years. This four course
program helps managers make the
transition from a technical or functional
role into a leadership role through an
understanding of what leadership is and
learning or improving a new set of skills
related to management of people.
• Middle Managers’ – for managers who
have been in a management role with
the GNWT for three to five years. This
five course program is designed to help
middle managers enhance their leadership
skills. There are opportunities to learn
from colleagues and develop networks
that are vital for success in a changing
environment.
• Senior Managers’ – created for those
in a Senior Management position such
as a GNWT Deputy Minister, Assistant
Deputy Minister, Director (departmental),
Superintendent, or Chief Executive Officer
of a Health and Social Services Authority
or Divisional Education Council. This five
course program allows the senior leader
to take a broad scale, long-term view of
the organization and assess options and
implications. The leader is challenged to
interpret this vision into results through
leading others and focusing resources
in alignment with the goals of the
organization.
If you are interested in any of the
above programs, please discuss it with
your manager. Deputy Ministers have been
invited to submit nominations. There are a
limited number of seats available. Additional
information on each module is available
from Rita Brown at 920-3306. Certification
is available upon full completion of each
program.
Long Service Awards
EXECUTIVE
10 Years 20 Years
Angelo Cocco Carmen Moore
Vishni Peeris 25 Years
Heather Riviere Kevin O’Keefe
15 Years
Lina Dobbin
Front row, L to R: Vishni Peeris, Carmen Moore,
Lina Dobbin, Heather Riviere. Back row, L to R:
Angelo Cocco, Deputy Minister Dave Ramsden,
Commissioner Whitford.
WSCC
5 Years
Kris Erasmus
Marie Wilson
Harmeet Jagpal
Travis Cooper
10 Years
Lyle Denny
15 Years
Theresa Wolfe
Michelle Currimbhoy
Mary Christine Betsina
David Simms
Ralph Shearman
Martin Van Rooy
20 Years
Rita Denneron Pat Healey
Gerrie Slifka Marlene Bonnell
25 Years
Surjit Cheema Sylvester Wong
Edith Johnson-Ryder
30 Years
Margaret Begg
On The Back
Stanton’s Microbiology Lab
Four years ago, Stanton’s Microbiology Lab isolated
a serotype of Salmonella that the Provincial Lab
in Edmonton had never seen before. This is a rare
occurrence so the Provincial Lab took its time making
sure that it was indeed a new type. After confirming
it, the serotype was officially named “Salmonella
yellowknife”. The diagnosis and treatment are the
same as for all other strains of salmonella. A serotype
is “a group of intimately related microorganisms
distinguished by a common set of antigens”. As you
can see from the photo, (L to R) Janet Whitson,
Laurie Dufresne, Grace Killawee (front) and Evelyn
Smith are very proud of their new bug. Good work,
everyone! Congratulations!
The Bear Facts – It’s your newsletter! Questions? Comments? Suggestions? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a fax @ (867) 873-0629 or drop us a line at bearfacts@gov.nt.ca

Keeping Tracks Keeping Tracks Keeping Tr
Breast Health Patient Navigator
If you have
recently been
diagnosed with
breast cancer, or
you know someone
who has, there
is a new service
available to help
you at Stanton
Territorial Hospital.
The Breast Health
Patient Navigator can provide emotional
support, resources and guidance to newly
diagnosed breast cancer patients and
their families in the NWT. The Navigator
can attend local appointments with
you and prepare you for your oncology
consultations at the Cross Cancer Institute
in Edmonton. The Navigator provides
continuity of care along the journey
with breast cancer from investigative
tests, diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
The Navigator is also available to assist
women who are having tests for any
breast abnormalities, as this can be a
time of anxiety and worry.
This half-time position is a two-year
pilot project funded by monies raised, in
the North for the North, by Run For Our
Lives. Remember to support your local
Run For Our Lives on October 5, 2008.
You may contact the Patient Navigator
at 867-445-4860 (cell), 867-669-2105
(office) or by e-mail at
nancy_cymbalisty@gov.nt.ca. You do not
need a doctor’s referral.
On behalf of my family, I would
like to express our heartfelt gratitude
for all the kind words, thoughts and
prayers during our difficult loss. We
lost a sister, niece and family (three
generations) on July 23, 2008 in a
tragic boating accident.
Shirley Kisoun and family in Inuvik,
on behalf of the Allen/Kisoun families
in Inuvik, Whitehorse, and Iqaluit.
LA
Gay Kennedy joins the folks at the
Legislative Assembly as the new Director of
Research Services.
FMBS
Congratulations to Val Pond on her
promotion to Senior Collections Officer.
Welcome to Shane Keller, Information
Systems Consultant. Best wishes to Rich
Reath, Andrea Leier, and Christopher
Buchanan as they leave to pursue other
endeavours.
HR
Congratulations to Melanie Mason
on her promotion to Quality Assurance
Consultant. Welcome to Mike Johnston,
Labour Relations Officer. Farewell to Gladys
Tremblay, Shantana Wood and Donald
Violette who move on from the GNWT.
STANTON
Welcome to Cheryl Messier, Audiologist;
April Lau, Unit clerk; and Darcy Russell,
Speech Language Pathologist. Best wishes
to Teresa Dick, Ruth Salvor, Virginia
Whitehead, Tamara Thomas, Kari Loftsgard,
and Julie Baxter as they move on to other
pursuits.
DAAIR
Farewell to Perry Bisaro and Tim O’Loan
who leave the GNWT.
DOT
Sam Gamble moves over to the position
of Graduate Transportation Planner
and farewell to Richard Jorge and Mark
Whitehead who leave to pursue other
endeavours. The folks over at Road
Licensing and Safety Division would like to
say a great big thanks and farewell to their
summer students Karen Carrillo and Megan
Welsh.
PWS
Congratulations to Ermina Abalayan on
her promotion to Accounting Officer. Best
wishes to Ginette Markowski and David
Polakoff who move on from the GNWT.
HSS
Carolyn MacPhail moves over to the
position of Health Planner-Physician
Services. Best of luck to Joyce Bourne and
Denise Lockhart as they leave to pursue
other endeavours.
ENR
Good bye and best of luck to Jennifer
(Yinfang) Lin.
WCB
Welcome to David Bokovay, IT User
Support Technician.
YKHSSA
Congratulations to Vincent Li on his
promotion to Manager, Information
Services. Welcome to Carol Ann Chaplin,
Community Coordinator and farewell to
Naomi Neglak-Voss.
L to R: Good luck to summer students, Kirstin
Mahler (University of Alberta), Aryn Franklin
(University of Alberta) and Michele Stacey
(University of Calgary) who are entering their
fourth year of studies in Biological Sciences. The
three provided invaluable help this summer to
staff at ENR.
ITI
Welcome to Jaysen Knight, Business
Program Advisor and Barry Myren, Parks
Maintenance Officer. Best wishes to David
Taylor and Lisette Deyelle who leave the
GNWT.
ECE
Welcome to: Monique Rousseau,
Student Support Coordinator; Marc-Andre
Lachapelle, Senior Program Auditor;
Elaine Arnott, Deputy Minister’s Executive
Secretary; and Karen Willy, Trainer, Income
Security Programs. Farewell to Jeannette
Goldeney. The Canada /NWT Service Centre,
North Slave welcomes: Michael Saturnino,
Regional Manager Career Development;
Robert Swan, Regional Manager Income
Security Programs; and Ernest Betsina,
Apprenticeship Training Officer.
Aurora College
Welcome to Pertice Moffitt, Senior
Instructor, Nursing and farewell to Kate
Bruse.
Justice
Welcome to Barbara Ruiz, Legal
Secretary. Best wishes to Anne Burt who is
moving to Grande Prairie. Farewell and best
wishes to Dave Paul who is retiring after
30 years of service with Corrections and is
moving to Ontario.
NWTHC
Farewell to Larry Jones who moves on
from the GNWT and to Loretta Wiley who
is relocating from Norman Wells to Wembly,
Alberta.
Congratulations!
L to R: Erin
Delaney,
Charlene
Doolittle
and Claude
Mandeville,
all of Justice,
completed their
first Marathon in
Yellowknife last
month. Way to
go ladies!