POLAR XPRESS – June 15, 2020

FROM THE TOP

National Public Service Week (NPSW)

Dear Staff,

This week, the federal public service will celebrate the National Public Service Week (NPSW) to recognize the importance of public servants and to honour their dedication to Canadians. This week is all about YOU! It’s important to celebrate what you’ve accomplished—together—over this past year. The commitment and passion that you show every day makes a difference in the lives of Northerners and Canadians.

The current public health crisis has reminded us the value of a strong public service. I would like to take a moment to truly appreciate and praise the hard work all of POLAR staff has accomplished under these uncertain times. I encourage you to reach out to your colleagues and show your appreciation for them and their work.

You should all be proud to be part of a world-renowned public service that makes bilingualism, inclusiveness, diversity, values and ethics a priority. Join the conversation on social media with your public servant colleagues with #NPSW2020 until June 20.

I wish you all a Happy National Public Service Week!

David J. Scott

National Indigenous History Month

In June, Canadians celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous communities.

The history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis is essentially the very history of our country as they are the first peoples of Canada and continue to play important roles in its development and its future. Learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, their contributions to the War of 1812, Reconciliation and more here.

National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Find out more by reading a digital copy of one the books from the #IndigenousReads reading list or by exploring a virtual exhibit at your favourite museum.

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!

Introducing the LifeSpeak Expert Blog

Every week, LifeSpeak will be posting brand new content from leading experts on topics that matter to you in a fresh new format. Topics such as: Top Ten lists, infographics, videos, Q&A session and more, is exclusively available to LifeSpeak users here.

To access LifeSpeak, whether you are using a computer, a tablet or a smartphone, simply log on to the following address: canada.lifespeak.com, select Access Through Group Account and enter the Client Password: canada

POLAR’S PEOPLE

POLAR’s First Retirement

In 1988, Rhonda Turner took a giant leap and joined the Public Service. With more than 32 years under her belt, the time has come to say HAPPY RETIREMENT to our wonderful colleague. Rhonda’s last day with POLAR will be on June 19 and we are all wishing her the very best! As one of POLAR’s original employees, coming from the Canadian Polar Commission (CPC) in 2015, she is also the first POLAR employee to retire! Previous to her incredible work with POLAR’s Grants and Contributions handling the Northern Scientific Training Program, Rhonda worked with INAC as a training coordinator for the Northern Affairs Program as well as the Northern Affairs representative for Supporting Front Line Operations Committee.

What has impressed me so much about Rhonda is the very real enthusiasm she has for the program she leads even after three decades of involvement. She speaks about “her students” with passion and feels pride when they go on to accomplish great things. She’s equally effusive when she speaks about the quality of the nominees for the Northern Science Award. It’s obvious that it means a lot to her that POLAR recognizes someone so deserving. - Julie Laghi.

Not only did Rhonda work on the NSTP file, she also featured in its promotional video! We may reach out to Rhonda in the near future to benefit from her incredible video skills! Check it out:

https://171gc.sharepoint.com/:v:/s/Communications/EfqOCRlK2v9Mjn23KsaHEEkB1o8kygZqkU1kuM1Dg6yEUw?e=1fI95J

To get a bit of a glimpse into Rhonda’s public service career and her plans for the future, we held a brief Q&A session and the summary is captured below!

Q: Do you remember how you felt going in for that first interview? Can you tell us about it?

A: Going into the interview I was quite relaxed. I thought I was being interviewed for a 3-month term to bring the NSTP bibliographies up to date. Little did I know that the NSTP would end up being my main file for my entire career!

Q: What are some words of wisdom/best advice you feel helped you throughout your career and that you are taking with you as you move onto retirement?

A: Never let the small stuff get you down. Change is inevitable and you should always make the most of what you’re given. A strong network of positive individuals really helps through any work transition. Just keep on smiling and keep on laughing!

Q: What are the top job roles/responsibilities that you will forever cherish?

A: Of course my years working on the NSTP will be forever cherished. It gives me such pride to see how many northern specialists got their start with an NSTP grant. Whatever meeting/conference/event I have attended I always met someone who received one of these grants. Many new POLAR hires have been through this great Program! It makes me extremely proud to have been part of such an important and unique Program.

I will also always cherish the friends and dedicated professionals that I have made throughout my career. I have been so fortunate to have worked alongside some of the most passionate and amazing people in the whole of the public service! We work hard, we play hard and we laugh harder.

Q: How do you feel about retirement? What are the first things you plan on doing?

A: I always thought I would be 100% ready to retire. Now that it’s almost upon me, it’s kind of a weird feeling. I’ve never “not” worked. The one thing I am looking forward to is not having to set an alarm anymore! I do plan on changing my home office into a place to relax and catch up on my reading. Other than that, I have no set plans other than just enjoying life and spending time with my husband, dogs and family. Once I get bored of this, I can then start volunteering my time.

Q: Do you have any thoughts/advice you would like to share with your fellow POLAR colleagues?

A: Keep learning. Get to know your colleagues. Never hesitate to ask for help. Be compassionate… you never know what the person beside you might be going through. And, above all else, keep smiling!

Q: How soon can POLAR contact you to ask if you would be willing to come back on contract?

A: Lol, how about in 6 months. I’m sure by then I will be plenty bored with my own company.

A message from POLAR’s President

Rhonda is one of the few remaining original POLAR employees. She joined the CPC shortly after I arrived, when the Northern Scientific Training Program and the Northern Science Award programs were transferred over from INAC.

Rhonda has done an exceptional job leading the NSTP and the revitalized NSA for POLAR, and it is obvious that she feels passionately about the work, which I believe has been key to these successes. She has provided valuable contributions within the Gs&Cs team and across the agency over the years.

Rhonda- your smile and laughter have been contagious around the POLAR offices, and I know I speak for many when I say that your kindness and clever sense of humor will very much be missed! I sincerely wish you a healthy, long and happy retirement! I know that you will soak it up and enjoy every moment – the quiet times and the excitement – you certainly deserve it!

Very best wishes, and thanks again, Dave

POLAR employees graduate!

Today (June 15), three of our colleagues in KM&E are attending their convocation ceremony, as they are graduating from their undergraduate degrees with the University of Ottawa. Jacqueline Thompson with a BA in International Development and Globalization, Tyler Bloom with a BA in Political Science and Tehjae’s Tsukada with a BA in International Development and Globalization with a minor in English Literature.

Congratulations Tyler, Tehjae, and Jacqueline on your accomplishments!

LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE

Circumpolar films

These two films have been hand-picked to bring interesting knowledge about the regions and its people in celebration of National Indigenous History Month. Happy viewing!

Arguably the most famous film ever shot in Canada, “Nanook of the North” caused an international sensation when it was released in New York in 1922. Its lead actor, Allakalliarak, who plays Nanook, became famous around the world.

Nanook of the North is a silent film, made before the invention of the movie sound-track. It was filmed on the Ungava coast of Hudson Bay in 1920-1921 by the American filmmaker Robert Flaherty, with the cooperation and assistance of its stars, members of the Itivimiut group of Inuit, who served not only as actors but also as film crew.

The film gives an authentic snapshot of how Inuit lived at the time, independently in small groups, moving with the seasons. It highlights the Inuit technology: sewing the skin covering into a kayak, fitting a window of clear freshwater ice into an igloo, coating the frozen mud shoeing of sled runners with ice to make them slide, and much more. With a view to entertaining audiences as well educating them, some scenes were scripted: in one, Nanook is enchanted and puzzled by a trader’s gramophone. In reality Allakariallak was quite familiar with gramophones and other southern technology, including Flaherty’s camera and film developing equipment.

Allakariallak died a few years after the film’s release, and according to Flaherty he died of starvation; but while starvation was not uncommon on the Ungava coast, Allakariallak in fact died of tuberculosis.

Robert Flaherty had a son with Nuvalinga, the lead actress who played Nanook's wife. As a result Flaherty has many descendants in Nunavut, among them his grandaughter Martha Flaherty, a well-known interpreter-translator and advocate on women’s issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IAcRjBq93Y

This is a documentary about the tuberculosis epidemic that struck the Kugluktuk area in the late 1920s. Through archival footage, dramatizations, archival records, and contemporary interviews with those involved, including Inuinnait elders, the film paints a vivid picture of the forces at play – among them the criminal justice system, missionaries competing for souls, an indifferent bureaucracy -- and a young doctor’s struggle against overwhelming odds to provide medical care to the Inuinnait in camps scattered across the western and central Kitikmeot.
https://www.nfb.ca/film/coppermine/

Inuinnaqtun/Inuktitut word of the week

The Inuinnaqtun/Inuktitut word of the week piuyuq. It means: good

It is pronounced: pee-oo-yook

Listen to the pronunciations here:

Are you ready to Talk the Talk?

UPDATES

Key outcomes from Senior Management Committee

Here are the key outcomes and decisions from the June 10, 2020, Senior Management Committee discussions:

• SMC discussed updates related to COVID-19 and the status of the plan for returning to the workplace. While there are still no specific timelines associated with POLAR’s return to our workplaces, planning is continuing to ensure that POLAR is well-prepared. A further update will be provided at the next SMC meeting.
• SMC had a preliminary discussion on how POLAR could encourage workplace discussions on racism, including understanding unconscious bias, the importance of facilitating this dialogue and learning among employees, managers and teams.
• The importance of updated and accurate salary and other financial forecasts was raised by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and supported by the President. It is critical for all delegated managers to regularly update their forecasts with realistic projections on expenditures. Regular extended management meetings on budget review will be convened to ensure focussed oversight at a senior level.

POLAR Events Calendar

You will find below the latest version of the POLAR events calendar for your information.

All travel is currently postponed until further notice.

Please send any calendar updates or additions to Tehjae Tsukada at tehjae.tsukada@polar.gc.ca

POLAR events calendar: June 12, 2020

WORKPLACE NOTICES

Summer is almost here!

As some provinces are transitioning towards more flexible social distancing measures, we should all continue to think ahead about the actions that we can take throughout the summer to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others.
• When you cannot maintain social distancing, wear a mask to protect yourself and those around you.
• Avoid large crowds or crowded areas.
• Avoid contact with sick people, especially if they have a cough, fever or difficulty breathing.
• Wash your hands often with soap under warm running water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Always keep some with you when you travel.
• Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette.
• Take precautions against respiratory illnesses and seek medical attention if you become sick.

To learn more, please visit the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 webpage.