Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 10, 2007

FORT SMITH - Ruth Ann Gal of Fort Smith says she has a great job.

She manages the branch of the Aurora Research Institute at Aurora College's Thebacha Campus.

Ruth Ann Gal, the manager of the Aurora Research Institute in Fort Smith, is attempting to revive a program to develop computer games. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"I have a wonderful job," she said recently. "I'm really quite blessed and quite fortunate."

The Aurora Research Institute operates two facilities, one in Fort Smith and the other in Inuvik.

The institute offers support services to anyone conducting research, and also initiates some research of its own.

"It's what the manager makes it," Gal said when asked to describe her role.

In her 13 years as manager, Gal has been involved in a wide variety of research.

Her first project was helping with a needs assessment for Fort Smith's health and social services.

Over the years, she has been involved in projects ranging from studying healthy homes to constructing a straw building to working with Wood Buffalo National Park on a fire management plan.

"It depends on who comes in my door," she said of the research areas.

If she doesn't have the expertise to conduct the research, she hires someone to figure it out.

Currently, Gal is focused on several projects.

One is geographical information systems (GIS), which allow users to simultaneously view a map and detailed data. When needed, she teaches a GIS course at the college.

Gal is also trying to revive computer game development - a project which initially ran from 2000-2002 - even though she currently has no funding source.

She is conducting an online survey to see who plays computer games and what they are playing.

"I would really like to see what game development could do for youth," she said, noting young people in Fort Smith have phenomenal computer skills. "I want to find out how to tap it."

Gal is also currently teaching elders how to use computers and the Internet.

She admits she jumps from one project to another, but explained they are united in a common purpose: "How do I help people be the best they can be?"

Gal, 55, has a bachelor of science degree in biology and a masters of science degree in soil sciences.

In addition, she is working on a PhD in forestry.

At the institute, Gal said one of her continuing challenges is to find long-term funding for the various projects.

Having once worked in a bank helps in that part of the job, she said. "The reason I think I do well with the job is I have a background in finances."

Gal said she enjoys her job because of the opportunities to network with people and to help if she can.

At the institute, she has one staff member who concentrates on computer work, such as gathering information and putting it into the proper format. She noted she also receives a lot of support from the institute's director in Inuvik, plus the college's president and academic staff.