- FROM THE TOP
- Northern Science Award winner announced
- Climate Science 2050
- Leadership Through an Indigenous Lens: A Wise Practices Approach
- POLAR’S PEOPLE
- POLAR virtually attends Arctic Change 2020
- LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE
- Inuktut term of the week
- Are you ready to Talk the Talk?
- UPDATES
- Key outcomes from the Executive Team Meeting (ETM)
- WORKPLACE NOTICES
- Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!
FROM THE TOP
Northern Science Award winner announced
The Northern Science Award (NSA) is presented annually to an individual or a group who has made a significant contribution to meritorious knowledge and understanding of the Canadian North. This year during Arctic Change 2020, ArcticNet’s annual science meeting, the NSA was presented to Wayne Pollard.
Pollard, Professor of Geography at McGill University, is recognized as one of the world’s finest northern scholars. Over the course of his career he has generated substantial new knowledge of northern geocryology, and of the geomorphology and hydrology of permafrost. His work has also brought new understanding of Antarctic environments, and of processes affecting permafrost-influenced landforms on Mars. He has served as Chair of POLAR’s Canadian Committee on Antarctic Research, and is currently a member.
Climate Science 2050
Environment and Climate Change Canada has proudly published a new Climate Science 2050 report, which aims to better understand the scope of the climate change science needed to inform ambitious climate actions in Canada. The report reflects the voices of scientists and decision-makers from academia, all levels of government, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and the National Indigenous Organizations. Learn about the report.
Leadership Through an Indigenous Lens: A Wise Practices Approach
In partnership with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, CSPS is pleased to host this leadership event to explore the concept of Wise Practices and wisdom in leadership. The Wise Practices approach involves revitalizing traditional cultural principles and values while teaching core competencies required for success in our fast-paced world.
- Date and time: December 15, 2020 | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET)
- Registration deadline: December 14, 2020, 4:00 pm (ET)
- Language: English, with interpretation in French
- Location: This event will be delivered virtually. A link to the live broadcast will be provided to registered participants.
- Audience: All public servants at all levels
- Register for webcast
POLAR’S PEOPLE
POLAR virtually attends Arctic Change 2020
Donald McLennan and Misha Warbanski shared perspectives and expertise last week at Arctic Change 2020, ArcticNet’s annual scientific conference (December 7-10). The conference, held online because of the pandemic, brought together hundreds of Arctic researchers, northern community representatives, graduate students, government and industry partners, and stakeholders from all fields. Donald discussed how COVID-19 has affected POLAR’s arctic research, as part of a video compilation that included contributions from other members of the arctic research community including scientists, Indigenous partners, and government representatives. He also spoke about POLAR’s ecosystem research in a session that focussed on how results from long-term research and monitoring programs bring new understanding of climate change in northern terrestrial ecosystems. Misha co-chaired a panel that discussed how new collaborative networks and digital tools could improve access to data relevant to northern long-term monitoring and decision-making.
During the conference opening remarks on December 8, Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), discussed significant steps the organization has made toward implementing the National Inuit Strategy on Research. He mentioned ITK’s Memorandum of Understanding with POLAR as especially important. To see his remarks, watch the full video on the ITK Facebook page.
POLAR’S PEOPLE
Inuktut term of the week
The Inuktut term of the week is: Quviahugvingmi Quviahugit, which means: Merry Christmas (to one person).
Say it like this: qoo-vee-a-hoog-veeng-mee qoo-vee-a-hoo-geet
Listen to the pronunciations here:
Are you ready to Talk the Talk?
UPDATES
Key outcomes from the Executive Team Meeting (ETM)
Here are the key outcomes and decisions from the December 8, 2020, Executive Team Meeting discussions:
- Members reviewed the procurement log and were encouraged to ensure that any procurement that is scheduled for this fiscal year is included in their financial forecasts.
- Members also reviewed and discussed the November 30, 2020, financial forecast for POLAR. Managers were tasked to update their financial plans to ensure the most accurate forecasts for next month’s report.
WORKPLACE NOTICES
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday!
As many of our days have begun to blend together as we continue to work from home, the holidays have suddenly appeared out of the blue. This year, the POLAR offices will remain quiet on Christmas Eve day, the hallways empty of children’s laughter and Santa or Mrs. Claus delivering gifts. Instead we will be home with our families and loved ones, celebrating Christmas of 2020 differently from any previous year.
We – the communications team – would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday filled with fun and laughter. As a result of the fast-approaching holidays and the days that they fall on, the POLAR XPRESS will be skipping an edition and will not be issued on December 29. Stay tuned for the first edition of the New Year on January 11, 2021!