Recognizing support
Kivalliq School operations to be recognized for support of cadet program
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
NAUJAAT
The office of Kivalliq School Operations (KSO) in Baker Lake will be getting a nice nod from the Canadian Forces when it's recognized for granting Capt. Lloyd Francis the time he needs away from his class at Tuugaalik High School to lead Naujaat's 3055 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) later this month.
Capt. Lloyd Francis and cadet Lydia Haqpi find things a little damp on the beach during their visit to Vancouver Island this past March. Francis will be presenting an award to Kivalliq School Operations this coming month in Ottawa, Ont., for granting him the time needed away from his class at Tuugaalik High School to lead the Naujaat cadet program. - photo courtesy of 3055 RCACC
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The 3055 RCACC is currently recognized as the strongest cadet corps in Nunavut.
Francis said he nominated KSO through the Canadian Forces Liaison Council for all the leave he's granted to go on the various cadet trips.
He said the application was accepted and he and Nunavut Education Minister Paul Quassa will be travelling to Ottawa to accept the award on May 25.
"Myself and National Defense Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan will be presenting the Canadian Forces Liaison Council Award to the Government of Nunavut's KSO, which, I believe, will be accepted by Minister Quassa," said Francis.
"The awards are given to employers who support and promote reservists in the Canadian Forces, of which I am one.
"They don't have to give me leave to go on these trips with the cadets, so they could just say no, but they've been very, very supportive of the cadet program at KSO in Baker Lake, so I'm very pleased to see them being recognized for that."
Francis said KSO views cadets as a positive program for youths to be involved in.
He said anytime anyone from KSO visits Naujaat, such as executive director Bill Cooper or program consultant Jim Kreuger, they usually make the time to check out the cadet program while they're in town.
"We've received nothing but praises from them on everything myself and my staff have done for the program, and how awesome the kids are at drill and their other cadet activities.
"I received a letter from Bill (Cooper) after they found out about the award.
"In it he wrote: "I'm proud to support the cadet program and look forward to the event, which is a very unexpected honour.
"To be selected from amongst hundreds of nominees across Canada is a humbling experience, knowing that there are many deserving employers who support cadet programs. Thank you for the recognition.""
Francis said he's really looking forward to attending the awards dinner at the National War Museum.
He said it's not every day someone shares an event with his top two bosses from two very distinct operations.
"Basically, I'll have my highest level bosses at the event from both the cadet program and my teaching profession, with Minister Quassa being my top school boss and Minister of National Defense Sajjan being the Canadian Forces top boss, so it should be an interesting event for me."
