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New SAO in the Mackenzie Delta Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison Northern News Services Published Monday, August 29, 2011
"I see lots of opportunities here. The leadership is progressive and visionary. It's a really exciting time to be here," she said. Allen, who has also worked as an SAO in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, and Turner Valley, Alta., arrived in the Mackenzie Delta Aug. 6 and started work two days later. She is tasked with managing the chief and council's day-to-day-resources, and in the coming months will focus on developing and updating bylaws, creating jobs, offering more programs and increasing employability in the community. In addition, she sees tourism as an almost untapped market. "I think there's very creative and gifted people here in sewing and artisan work, and I think there's business opportunities like restaurants and things like that," she said. "I see lots of opportunities for people to step into, or create themselves." Allen said one of the first steps is doing a community needs assessment, which involves going out and talking with people, asking them questions and then figuring out solutions. "It's basically where they see the community being when it's all grown up, and then breaking down that vision into little pieces," she said. Allen said her time in Kugluktuk, from 2007 to 2008 and then again in 2011, taught her a lot about the North and how to get things done. "I like to design and develop programs and services that meet the needs of the community, and have the flexibility to create laws to do so. "It's a job that if you really grasp it, if you've got good folks to work with, I think you can be very creative and provide a holistic service and approach," she said. Working in Nunavut In Nunavut, she worked closely with mayor and council, as well as the local RCMP, to reduce the rate of violence and suicides. As well, they put forward a plebiscite on whether Kugluktuk should be a dry community or a ration community, with voters choosing a ration system. Allen said it was too soon to point out any quick differences between the two communities, but said it didn't take her long at all to find similarities. "Both communities felt like home right away, and you feel like part of the community right away," she said. "The people are friendly and warm and receptive. Tsiigehtchic is absolutely gorgeous." For now, Allen is taking the time to learn the ropes at work, but said she hopes to find some time to read and write once she has settled in. She also hopes to move her husband, a pastor, up from their home in Winnipeg.
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