Nunavut

---

How We Serve

Lead Volunteer Advisers

In implementing the Partnership Program with the Government of Nunavut (GN), CESO is assisted by a number of volunteers who have agreed to a long-term commitment as Lead Volunteer Advisers (LVAs) to manage and coordinate certain components of the partnership.

All LVAs are responsible for managing specific portfolios. This involves reviewing initial requests for service, helping the client develop specific Terms of Reference, searching for the appropriate Volunteer Adviser (VA), and then working with the chosen VA to ensure that the assignment is carried out and that evaluation/reporting requirements are met. An important component is a participatory evaluation.

CESO Volunteer Advisers work closely with managers and staff of the GN, communities, and public agencies to strengthen their managerial and operational skills.

VAs approach their work guided by Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, usually abbreviated to I.Q., and translated as Inuit Traditional Knowledge. These are the Inuit/Government of Nunavut Guiding Principles and are based on indigenous knowledge. They are:

1. Pijitsirniq – serving (a purpose or community) and providing for (family and/or community)
2. Aajiiqatigiingniq - making decisions by comparing views and taking counsel.
3. Pilimmaksarniq - passing on knowledge and skills through observation, doing and practice.
4. Piliriqatigiingniq - working collaboratively for a common purpose to achieve goals.
5. Avatittinnik Kamattiarniq - taking good care of and preserving the environment.
6. Qanuqtuurniq - seeking solutions.
7. Tuunganarniq - fostering good spirit by being open, accepting and inclusive.
8. Ikpigusuttiarniq - caring for others, taking their situations and who they are into account.

For more information on I.Q., see page 3 of this Government of Nunuavut document, saved as a PDF file - http://www.gov.nu.ca/pinasuaqtavut/engcover.pdf.

Feedback from our clients

Excerpt from “Inuit values help CESO build relationships in Nunavut” in CESO newsletter, FOCUS Spring 2004 (view as PDF):

“Inuit staff (particularly at the hamlet level) have stated that CESO’s mentoring approach fits with Pilnimmaksarniq, the Inuit principle of 'passing on of knowledge and skills through observation, doing and practice.'”

Excerpt from “Getting things done in the Nunavut Governement” in FOCUS Winter 2005-6 (view as PDF):

“Late in 2004, arrangements were made for CESO VA Bill Van Iterson to mentor Malachi Arreak, Regional Director of Community Operations for Department of Economic Development and Transportation (ED&T). In recent conversations with Bill, Malachi said… I am getting to know how to be a bureaucrat and get things done in this organization.”

Excerpt from Rita Anilniliak’s article "Thankful Nunavut Program Client shares her thoughts" in FOCUS Summer 2007 (view as PDF):

“ I learned about the CESO mentoring program… when I moved into another job… CESO paired me up with a Volunteer Adviser, someone with a great deal of knowledge in this area… I feel more confident at work knowing that I can put in my best effort.”