Making a difference in the Arctic with DFO and the Canadian Coast Guard

This past week I was honoured to receive a Prix d’Excellence from the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard for my work as part of a team responsible for implementing the new Arctic Regions for DFO and Coast Guard.

The citation reads:

“Over the past year, the DFO and CCG Arctic Regions Implementation team has done a fantastic job of developing and delivering the Artic Regions implementation. They have demonstrated an unprecedented level of collaboration between DFO and CCG as they sought to achieve a common goal of changing the way the department delivers services in the north.

The collaborative nature of their work has allowed the department to provide leadership in the federal family on how reconciliation can be implemented through a partnership with Indigenous Peoples, specifically the Inuit in Canada’s North. They planned and executed the engagement strategy which led to over 60 engagements with partners on how best to implement the Arctic Regions and the development of a shared vision for the future. The team engaged internally, worked with partners to ensure they were listened to, and developed a What We Heard report to confirm perspectives heard with Indigenous Peoples.

Their innovative approach to developing a collaborative service delivery model has been recognized by the National Inuit Organization (ITK), as a best practice that they hope other Departments will emulate. As an Inuit partner recently remarked: “the department has reset the tone with Inuit, demonstrating how the federal government can reconcile with Indigenous peoples.”

Congratulations to my colleagues: Beverly Foster, Tammy Broer, Steve Thompson, Joanne Weiss Reid, Cal Wenghoefer and Dale Nicholson. This was meaningful work and I'm so proud to have been part of the team that helped to bring it to fruition. #CCGProud

BRAVO ZULU also to Jeff Gordon and Ciera-Lee Kooneeliusie for the Youth Award received for their excellent work, dedication and inspiration in shaping Coast Guard's Search and Rescue (SAR) program in the Arctic including with Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) North in Rankin Inlet and Arctic Community Exercise and Engagement Team (ACEET).