Going to a whole new level
Leadership conference can be intense, life-changing time
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Rankin Inlet played a prominent role in the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference (GGCLC) from May 22 to June 5.
The Atuqtuarvik Corp. hosted a group of visitors to Rankin Inlet from the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference on May 29. - photo courtesy of Rod Hick
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Rankin hosted the GGCLC group visiting Nunavut for a day, and Atuqtuarvik Corp. operations officer Reanna Sateana, 27, was selected to represent the territory in another group that visited Quebec.
The GGCLC is held every three years, with about 250 individuals taking part from across Canada.
The conference brings together emerging leaders from business, labour, government and the community sector for a unique experience aimed at broadening their perspectives on their work, leadership, community and country.
Every conference member is a high-potential individual expected to achieve senior leadership positions in their organizations and communities within the next 10 years.
The participants are divided into groups to visit specific regions in Canada.
Atuqtuarvik hosted the GGCLC group visiting Nunavut in Rankin Inlet on May 29.
The Nunavut group made stops in Iqaluit, Coral Harbour, Taloyoak, Rankin and Cape Dorset.
Atuqtuarvik chief operating officer Rod Hick said the theme for the 2015 GGCLC was innovation.
He said hosting the Nunavut group gave Atuqtuarvik the chance to showcase the diversity of Kivalliq communities, and to openly engage in an exchange of views and experiences with individuals from varying backgrounds.
"The tour gave its participants an opportunity to better understand Nunavut by examining issues through the practical experiences of local people and companies, as well as community and regional leaders," said Hick.
"We had a group of 14 people come to Rankin, and we developed a day of activities for them focused on a balance between industry, business and culture.
"The local cadet corps opened the day with a ceremony to bring in and place the Canadian and Nunavut flags, and they also returned to close the day.
"Chief Warrant Officer Senna Oolooyuk and Sgt. Tatonya Autut represented the cadet corps well."
Sateana described the time with her 18-member group as an unforgettable experience.
She said a typical day began with breakfast at 6 a.m., with the schedule of the day's events often running until nine or 10 p.m.
"You really had to be on your A game every day," said Sateana.
"The days were very intense, with meeting after meeting being held.
"We visited everything from a neuroscience centre that's part of Montreal's McGill University, to the First Nations Wendake reserve (Huron-Wendat reserve), a helicopter training school and operation, which included a helicopter ride over Quebec City for us, a shrimp-processing plant and many others.
"We started in Montreal and then went on to Quebec City, Rimouski and Gaspe."
Sateana said her trip with the GGCLC was a life-changing experience.
She said she really learned a lot about herself during the two-week period.
"I learned no matter where we live in this country, and no matter what our background as a person or a people, we can always work together to come up with solutions to solve problems.
"There were some really great relationships created during our time together.
"There were more than 250 people, and it was neat to connect with the people in the group going to Nunavut and give them a head's-up on what to expect.
"I was with the people in my group for two-weeks straight, from beginning to end, and have lots of great memories and pictures."
Sateana said you learn more about yourself when you're placed in a situation that takes you out of your element.
She said the experience took her to a whole new level of professionalism.
"Everything, from the vocabulary being used to learning about unions and how to run big companies, was all at a new level for me.
"It was all so very, very interesting, and I'm so privileged to have been able to attend this conference.
"This was something I applied for and they're already preparing for the next one.
"I'd like to see more people in Nunavut be aware of this particular conference and know that they can apply to participate, because it was an incredible experience and there were so many people here who, possibly, could have gone if they had just known about it."
