The Edge 2023

From the bold new name on the front cover, to the inspiring stories and accomplishments within, our institution is pushing ahead like never before.

NWP is excited about the future. We’ve seen a lot of progress over the last year and we know that there is more to come as we strive to become the most entrepreneurial polytechnic in Canada by 2034.

Here’s a bit of background on how we got to this point. Our aspirational goal is the product of strategic visioning, planning workshops, and community consultation. During this process, it has become clear that there are valuable resources and opportunities within our region that set us apart. Our discussions kept coming back to the fact that northwestern Alberta is full of great people, potential, and distinctive entrepreneurial energy.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Although the term “entrepreneur” has been traditionally reserved for business schools and start-ups, we’ve decided to work outside of the box. NWP is intent on redefining what it truly means to be entrepreneurial.

Our position is that an entrepreneurial mindset has a place in every conversation, project, and industry. It is a universally applicable advantage that we want everyone in our Wolfpack to possess.

With that in mind, NWP is committed to leading by example and to fostering a postsecondary environment where people and ideas can thrive. This will be reflected in each one of our four Schools and eventually in our Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

NWP understands the power of innovation and opportunism. Today’s marketplace needs inspired, creative, and opportunity focused individuals who aren’t afraid to follow their heart and intuition.

We want our students, staff and faculty to lean into possibility. To ask more questions, embrace “what if” thinking, and to explore uncertainty.

The edge can be many things. But instead of viewing it as a limit, we want people to see it as an individual differentiator. Because when you push yourself beyond this threshold, you’ll find growth, creativity, leadership, and success.

We hope you enjoy this inaugural edition of The Edge and that you are always inspired to take the next step, whatever it may be.

This issue of Northwestern Polytechnic’s alumni and community magazine is different.

Risk. It’s something that can make us uncomfortable, but it is also a part of life that can be exhilarating. In this issue of The Edge, you will find many stories of brave, strong, and fearless people who embraced the unknown.

Recognizing the importance of confidence in the entrepreneurial equation, these articles have been carefully selected to reflect NWP’s bold new direction and call to action. In fact, the stories on the following pages reinforce that with the right skills, training, and outlook, risk can lead to incredible opportunity.

As an NWP alumna, new Board of Governors chairperson, and serial entrepreneur, I can attest to the

importance of being surrounded by people who encourage progress. Whether it is an instructor, mentor, or friend, having someone in your corner while you explore the unfamiliar is invaluable. And that is where Alberta’s newest polytechnic has their sights set.

NWP’s entrepreneurial vision boils down to one simple thing - providing a distinctive and supportive postsecondary environment that sparks and empowers success every day, in every way.

Now this is close to my heart. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for those determined to carve their own paths and northwestern Alberta is the perfect destination to pursue ambitious goals. In fact, my own post-secondary journey began at this

very institution. Over the course of my studies, I made invaluable connections on campus and established a firm foundation for life-long learning. This care and personal attention certainly helped boost my confidence and allowed me to become the entrepreneur that I am today.

I’ll leave you with this quote from William Faulkner who said, “You cannot swim to a new horizon without losing sight of the shore.” Now I’m not advocating for anyone to plunge into the Peace or take a skydiving lesson, but I am encouraging you to reframe risk as an opportunity to succeed and to let your entrepreneurial spirit continue to soar.

Shawna Miller NWP Board of Governors Chair

Lynne Coulter

Honouring a life well lived

When you hear that someone has had a “life changing accident,” you imagine the worst. However, as NWP donor Lynne Coulter will tell you, sometimes an accident can change the course of one’s life in the most unexpected but wonderful ways.

In 1990, Lynne and his wife Donna were settled in their careers, with Lynne working for the City of Grande Prairie and Donna as a talented hairdresser. Donna’s career was suddenly upended when she broke her leg badly enough to warrant surgery and some permanently placed steel stabilizers. Realizing that she needed to find a new job that involved spending significantly less time on her feet, Donna sought out and chose the one-year Office Administration program at, what was then, Grande Prairie Regional College.

There was just one problem. Having become a hairdresser at 16, Donna hadn’t completed high school and needed to earn her GED before being eligible for the program. As Lynne tells it, “Donna was very good at English and History – in fact, she read War and Peace in two days - but math was enough to make her sick.” Determined to see his wife succeed, Lynne began helping her work though long-dreaded concepts like fractions and percentages. He jokingly likens his teaching her math to a married couple hanging wallpaper together….

in other words, not a good time for anyone. But with his help and a lot of hard work, Donna earned her GED and was on her way to college.

Except there was another hurdle. At nearly 50, Donna had never typed in her life and now had to pass a typing test as part of the program admission. Once again, her determination won out and after much practice on a typewriter that Lynne brought home, Donna passed the proficiency test and was accepted into the program. Lynne recalls that she loved her time on campus, not least because she didn’t have to spend one more minute on math. (He may have helped her understand it, but she was never going to like it!)

Donna had a job lined up the day she graduated from the Office Administration program, with a whole new world of experiences waiting for herself and Lynne. She enjoyed a successful career as an office administrator, but her heart was in her volunteer work. Donna served as a Lions Club member for more than 30 years and was presented with several awards for her contributions. Thanks in part to her business and leadership skills, she became the first female in Western Canada to be appointed a District Governor with the Lions, and later Council Chair.

But it certainly wasn’t all work and no play. Over the years, Lynne and Donna’s travels took them to five of the seven continents. A few of the highlights include the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Tivoli in Copenhagen, the Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany, and the Great Wall near Beijing. They

saw Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, the Republic of Korea, North Korea, and Japan. They drove the Alaska Highway to Anchorage, took five cruises including one through the Panama Canal, and rode on the Yukon & White Pass railroad.

Donna was also a great fan of baseball. She and Lynne attended games in no less than eleven major league stadiums, some of them several times. The Jays were her favourite team, but she was a closet Yankee fan and was thrilled when she finally got to see them play in Minneapolis.

After a life of travel, and many personal and professional accomplishments, Donna passed away on April 1, 2021. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions prevented Lynne and his family from being able to celebrate Donna’s life in the way they might have liked. It was important to the Coulter family that they honour her many contributions to the community and beyond, and they decided it would be fitting to establish a Memorial Bursary for NWP students in her name.

“Donna made a mark on many people throughout her life, and we know that she would appreciate us supporting a deserving student who may need the help,” says Lynne. The criteria for Donna’s bursary speaks volumes about who she was. The family’s preference is that the money be shared with a student from the Office Professional program, who has demonstrated community involvement or volunteerism, has a good attitude, a desire to learn, and a sense of humour.

We thank Lynne and the Coulter family for this generous donation, and we look forward to continuing Donna’s legacy within the NWP student community. For more information about the Donna Coulter Bursary please visit NWP.me/Bursaries.

“The criteria for Donna’s bursary speaks volumes about who she was”

Northwestern Polytechnic, like all polytechnics, focuses on hands-on learning and applied research to address real world problems. Most of our instructors have years of industry experience under their belts and bring an in-depth understanding of how things work beyond the classroom.

Taking industry research to a whole

Nathan Parlee

Nate Parlee, an instructor within NWP’s Trades and Apprenticeship programs, recently went way beyond the classroom when he spent time observing and learning about the Electrician Apprenticeship program at Highbury College in Portsmouth, England.

Born and raised in northern Alberta, all of Nate’s training and experience as a Journeyman Electrician has been Alberta-based. His regional knowledge is invaluable when taking students through Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training program but left him wondering how institutions and instructors in other parts of the world tackle their curriculum. With the support of NWP administration, Nate reached out to Highbury College and was warmly welcomed to spend a day seeing how they do things ‘across the pond.’

“The first thing I learned is that there appears to be a universal type of person who is attracted to a career in the trades,” he says. “Like at NWP, the students at Highbury aren’t averse to the physical demands of the job and seem to prefer the hands-on aspects

of their training. The instructors are similar to myself and my colleagues in that they are industry professionals who enjoyed the mentorship aspect of apprenticeship enough to make it their full-time job.”

One thing Nate noticed was that the cadence of the apprenticeship programs is different. Alberta apprentices usually work in the field for 10 months, followed by two months of school. In England, they work on-site four days a week, with the fifth spent in class. Nate figures this is likely due to Alberta’s geographic spread and the unlikeliness of apprentices being close enough to a school for them to travel there once a week. With the UK being nearly three times smaller than Alberta, but boasting 15 times the population, everything and everyone is much closer together!

Just as he had hoped, Nate came away with tangible learnings that he intends to integrate into his instruction. “When we do labs, we are primarily worried about the students understanding a concept – that’s the goal. I noticed that Highbury takes things a step further and challenges

the students to estimate the time and materials required for the given task. These are critical on-the-job competencies and I think our students will benefit from learning more on how to best tackle this.”

As friendly and welcoming as everyone was, Nate shares that the trip did leave him with a renewed appreciation for some aspects of Alberta’s approach to the skilled trades. “It doesn’t seem to me as though the skilled trades in the UK receive the same degree of funding and support as we do from both our provincial and federal government. I also noticed less advertising encouraging careers in the skilled trades, and while I only spent time with one class, I didn’t see the same female representation as we are building here,” he says.

Back on Alberta soil, Nate looks forward to sharing what he learned on his trip with returning and future students. If you are interested in learning more about NWP’s apprenticeship programs, visit NWP.me/Apprenticeship or check out tradesecrets.alberta.ca.

BOOMING Business is AT NWP

Established in 2021, the School of Business is helping students sharpen their entrepreneurial edge with practical experience. It’s all part of the learning journey before they officially venture into the job market or bring their career ideas to life.

Here’s a few ways NWP students are developing and applying their business acumen.

Personal Selling Benefits

Over the last few years, the Personal Selling class at Northwestern Polytechnic has teamed up with United Way, an international not-for-profit organization. This beneficial partnership has allowed learners to apply classroom theory in real-life settings.

Students also get an opportunity to practice their communication and personal selling skills. Equipped with 50/50 raffle tickets, the goal is to influence people to purchase a ticket by using consumer behaviour knowledge, body language cues, and timely sales dialogue. In addition to boosting confidence, the fundraising efforts enable students to practice connecting with others and closing a sale.

All the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle go to United Way, who in turn are responsible for allocating funds to different organizations in need throughout the Grande Prairie community. It is a productive partnership with the class collectively selling $10,000 in raffle tickets in one semester alone.

Focused Project Management

NWP believes in the power of practical experience. In addition to introducing students to the world beyond campus, collaborative community projects help reveal strengths, skills, and character. With this in mind, every year NWP’s Project Management course empowers students to create an event, manage all the details, and see it through to the end. Making the process even more meaningful, students are asked to select a notfor-profit that they would like to support and create a fundraising event for that organization.

In 2022/23, one group focused their efforts on the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. NWP students successfully organized a 5 km awareness walk. Along with maps outlining the route through the trails at Muskoseepi Park, the team arranged tables with water, Gatorade, and granola bars. Following the walk, participants took part in a yoga session hosted by the student organizers. The event was so successful that the Executive Director of the Centre for Suicide Prevention approached the instructor of the class to discuss making this an annual event.

Spreading the Word

Upon completing Northwestern Polytechnic’s Advertising and Promotion course, students walk away well versed in the different creative avenues required to be successful in promotion and advertising.

This past year, students partnered with Big Blue Bird Alcohol-Free. This innovative Edmonton-based business curates a selection of Canadian non-alcoholic beer, which are then packaged into one convenient box for the customer.

The students applied their business analysis skills and discovered what was truly unique about this company. They unpacked the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle and ran with it.

Working closely with Big Blue Bird Alcohol-Free, the students developed a marketing and brand plan. This included establishing a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. Using their research on the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle, they also developed videos and other content to share on their new social channels.

The students also created a website from scratch using what they had learned in previous digital marketing classes. NWP students had the opportunity to manage a project and their client, create an advertising campaign, and get creative in a team environment. It was win-win with students gaining experience and the new business getting support from soon-to-be professionals.

Digital World

The social media landscape is ever-changing. To keep up with the continual evolution, NWP’s strategic digital marketing courses must be adaptable, anticipatory, and connected to community.

An essential part of the learning experience is getting students out into the marketplace and applying their classroom learning to a living, breathing, thriving, business. On that note, last semester NWP students partnered with a local bakery, The Best Bread, which frequently has a booth set up at the Grande Prairie Farmers’ Market.

NWP students provided a helping hand to this grassroots business by redesigning their entire marketing campaign. Using digital technology, they highlighted the artistry and effort that go into creating The Best Bread’s bread and jams. Students worked to enhance the bakery’s social platforms by creating videos showcasing their unique techniques and processes. Content was then shared across various social media platforms and a TikTok account for the business was launched.

In Fall 2022, marketing students were tasked with a potentially life changing project. The town of Beaverlodge was in need of doctors and the next generation of digital professionals stepped up with a targeted campaign to help share the unique qualities of the area. This is yet another example of workintegrated-learning at its finest. Through our School of Business, NWP is delivering great practical and life lessons.

NWP believes in the power of practical experience.

NWP HELPS STUDENTS

Find Their VOICE

Brooklyn Broaders

Brooklyn Broaders has always been active in the learning community. She proudly served as Northwestern Polytechnic Students’ Association Vice President Internal for two years and then as President for the 2022 – 2023 term.

While her academic journey started in the education program at NWP, it wasn’t until Brooklyn took a yearlong hiatus from her studies that she found the path that felt like the right fit. “It was during my time off that I realized how much I enjoyed working in management, but maybe not necessarily retail,” says Brooklyn. “I decided to go back to school to explore business administration.”

Once she enrolled in business courses, Broaders began to excel. It was a much different experience and better fit than her previous studies.

“I was doing much better in classes I was interested in, emotionally and academically,” she explains. “So, I knew I was in the right program.”

In 2022, Broaders completed a Business Administration diploma at Northwestern Polytechnic.

During her time with the Students’ Association, Brooklyn expanded her personal skillset. She also benefited from networking opportunities that opened her eyes to different people, perspectives, and career pathways.

“The best options for me will be at organizations that allow me to stay involved in the community and make many connections, while still being

able to explore other opportunities within the organization.” For Brooklyn, being a part of the Students’ Association was a great experience. It has provided her with so much variety, which she values immensely.

As an introverted person, Brooklyn didn’t think she would have ever gravitated towards a position in the Students’ Association because of all the public speaking and having to step outside of her comfort zone. “I didn’t enjoy public speaking and doing speeches,” she admits. “But as the President, I had to speak so many times in front of hundreds of students. I had to force myself to talk to people, but it has served me well. I am no longer nervous talking to people or giving presentations.”

Before regularly practicing public speaking, it was common for Brooklyn to be told her voice would come across as nervous in class or speeches. Now, all of that has changed. “I recently was told after a class presentation that I had one of the best presentations and that I sounded confident speaking in front of everyone,” she says. “I thought, wow, really?”

When thinking about where she started compared to where she is now, Brooklyn is most proud of the growth she has seen in herself. Public speaking and making connections are now skills she has confidently mastered. “It’s crazy to see that change in myself.”

As a student, when she wasn’t working for the Students’ Association or in class, Brooklyn enjoyed attending Campus Recreation and athletics events at NWP and is also a volleyball coach for the Velocity Volleyball Club.

2022-2023 STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

WolfpackWelcome

Over the last few years, firstyear NWP student Gabrielle Nelles has learned a lot about herself. In the face of significant challenges, many of which were related to the pandemic, Gabrielle has come to realize the importance of connection, the value of curiosity, and the beauty of balance.

These themes show up again and again through her personal life, work life, and now as a student of NWP’s School of Applied Science and Technology.

school has become a really positive experience for me.”

It was the isolation brought on by the pandemic that taught Gabrielle just how important real connection is for her. She has learned that interpersonal and high-touch interactions are critical to her wellbeing, and she made attending in-person classes a non-negotiable aspect of her enrollment at NWP.

“I am a very talkative person – if fact, I probably talk the most of anyone in my classes,” she says with a smile. “One of the great things about NWP is having professors who, even in the first month, knew my name and cared about getting to know me.”

Gabrielle was among the top three students of the 2022 graduating class of St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Grande Prairie.

“I have always been a good student. I have a curiosity and passion for learning, and education just seems to fit with how my brain works,” she says. “It took some time and effort for me to figure out what I needed in order to focus and excel, but with the support of friends and some great teachers,

In addition to appreciating the knowledgeable and engaging faculty, Gabrielle is enjoying the degree of acceptance and open-mindedness at NWP. She feels so comfortable in the environment that her ultimate goal is to become a professor herself, likely with a focus on history.

With classes like Indigenous and Cultural Minorities in the Modern World, Basic Psychological Processes, and Literature in Global Perspective, Gabrielle spends her days surrounded by people who are similarly interested in the world and in seeking an informed and balanced perspective.

Balance is something Gabrielle takes very seriously – both literally and figuratively. Now a dedicated yogi, she credits movement and sport as having always been a foundational force in her life. She has also found balance by opting for a lighter course load that allows her to work a job that brings further fulfillment (and dogs!) into her life, with some time left over for her various passions.

Arts and culture, plants, and spending quality time with her girlfriend are other important aspects of her life that ground and centre her.

Gabrielle is looking forward to the rest of her time at NWP. Having figured out the hallways (no small feat, according to her), finding passionate and like-minded people, and designing a schedule that successfully balances her work, education, and life priorities, it seems safe to say that her love of learning is in very good hands.

As technology, the environment, social conditions, and our economy continue to be transformed by time, the importance of research and innovation has never been greater. With its new name, look, and vision for the future, Northwestern Polytechnic is honing its focus on applied research opportunities and partnership synergy.

“As Alberta’s newest polytechnic institution, we now have a longer and more defined runway for our applied research endeavours,” says Andrew Dunlop, Dean of NWP’s School of Applied Science and Technology. “It’s exciting because we are even better positioned to advance meaningful partnerships with local industry leaders and community stakeholders.”

While research is a key driver of progress, not all research follows the same path. For instance, universities tend to be focused on expanding knowledge and theory through discovery-based activities across many disciplines.

Applied research is different. It involves the identification of solutions to specific problems and/or seeking answers to specific questions. It’s straightforward, practical, and purposeful.

Andrea Rosenberger-Deleeuw, an NWP alumna who recently graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work,

is in the unique position of having contributed to a body of applied research that she now has the opportunity to put into practice.

After high school, Andrea worked at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre – first as a summer camp facilitator and later as a full-time youth program lead. Although she had already completed some post-secondary education in graphic design and communication, encouraging youth to consider NWP inspired her to enroll herself in NWP’s Social Work Degree Transfer Program. The first two years of the degree program introduced her to a broad range of liberal arts and social science subjects before completing her Social Work degree through the University of Calgary Virtual Learning Circles program.

“Even though I was focused on social work as my career, I really enjoyed being exposed to new ideas and concepts through classes like Anthropology, Canadian History, Sociology, and Psychology,” says Andrea. “I also loved being involved, first as Secretary and then President, in the Circle of Indigenous Students group. All this, plus the knowledgeable and passionate instructors, made for a great experience.”

Being able to complete her degree while living in Grande Prairie allowed Andrea to involve herself in the Youth Engagement Survey project, an ongoing study focused on the specific factors impacting young people’s sense of belonging and connection.

The study is managed by Dr. Connie Korpan and Dawn Moffat McMaster, who together lead the Community Enhancement Research projects for the School of Applied Science and Technology.

“I was especially interested in helping out because of my experience working at the Friendship Centre in youth programming,” explains Andrea. “I recognized that there were gaps in the services available to our youth and I wanted to learn more about their every-day realities.”

Beyond the personal satisfaction that she gained from the experience, and the positive ripple of youth feeling empowered and that their opinions matter, Andrea is pleased to see the data collected is being used in a very real and meaningful way. In addition to being shared with community organizations who support and represent youth, the findings were also included in the 2021 Northwestern Alberta’s Vital Signs publication. This resource is produced by the Community Foundation to improve understanding of what is being done well in the community, as well as potential gaps, allowing organizations across Northern Alberta to be part of mobilizing informed change across the region.

“I often draw on the lessons I learned through the Belonging and Connection research project,” says Andrea, now a social worker focused on Indigenous Education Services for the Peace Wapiti Public School Division. “Having witnessed firsthand the positive impact of applied research, I look forward to all the future insights and information to be uncovered through NWP’s Rural and Northern Alberta Community Engagement research stream.”

To learn more about NWP’s research opportunities, visit NWP.me/Research.

NWPEOPLE

Devon Potter

Fostering Alumni Connections

It has been many years since I have been the new kid on campus. It feels good to be back roaming the halls of this institution. Not much has changed for me - I still have deadlines to meet, am chronically undercaffeinated, but still incredibly enthusiastic for the work I do and the wonderful people I get to work alongside. It was a pleasure joining the External Relations team in July 2022 as the Donor and Alumni Relations Officer. As an alumna myself, I know how important it is to maintain the connection each student feels as they leave NWP, and that they always have that sense of family and resources to turn to.

I have called Grande Prairie home since 1996. With the warm welcome and support my family received when we first moved here, it became quite clear that the people who live here love this community and

will give selflessly to see it thrive. In this likeness, I see how the Alumni Foundation is serving students in their financial success through bursaries and scholarships, how donors are reaching out to assure that programs, both new and existing, are successful and see longevity, and seeing our fundraising events such as the annual Ball and Golf Classic remain successful.

Our alumni are the soul of this institution and my team and I serve to assure that every student from the moment their schooling begins feels like they are a part of the Wolf Pack, the NWP family. We look to reinvigorate the program with improved benefits, communication, and opportunities for professional and personal development.

I’ve been working in the philanthropic sector for the better

part of 13 years and I know that people want to give to the causes about which they care most. We want to be that place to call when you wish to make a difference. Relationships are the foundation on which philanthropy is built. So, as we look to becoming the most entrepreneurial polytechnic by 2034, I ask that you reach out to our team when you have great ideas, would like to chat about how you can make an impact, how you can get involved in our events, or if you’d like to learn more about the work my team and I are doing.

Thank you for your continued support in our transition this past year from a college into a polytechnic and I look forward to when we may connect.

Devon Potter Donor and Alumni Relations Officer

is putting his passion to work, and it is paying off.

You may have heard the Meg Whitman saying, “Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.” NWP alumnus Dylan LaValley’s lived experience is compelling evidence that this certainly holds true for some.

Dylan, who graduated in June 2022 with a combined Bachelor of Science and Arts from the University of Lethbridge (U of L), had a few false starts before landing on his current path. After high school, he earned his Emergency Medical Responder ticket and spent some time working on the oil fields. It didn’t take long for him to realize that the downtime involved in this role, as well as being away from family, was not for him. Once back in Grande Prairie, he enrolled in (what was then) GPRC’s University Transfer program and spent a few semesters working towards a Bachelor of Science transfer, with a focus on Immunology and Infection.

“I was a lousy student,” Dylan admits ruefully. “Thankfully, I soon realized that to be successful, I needed to find something that I was truly interested in. Well, that and spend less time at Howler’s,” he says with a smile.

That’s when Dylan landed on what he now recognizes as his life’s path – the science of Psychology. “I am

fascinated with trying to figure out why organisms do what they do,” he explains. “It was once I discovered my interest in this area that things really started to come together.”

Completing the first two years of his B. Science here in Grande Prairie was a tremendously positive experience for Dylan. “I have nothing but good things to say about my time at the institution,” he says. “I was able to live with my parents which helped to save money, as did the more affordable tuition relative to other universities. I also benefited from the smaller class sizes, both because it suits my personal learning style and provided me with increased opportunities to connect with the professors on a more personal level.”

It was through one of these personal connections that Dylan decided to add philosophy as a second area of focus, while still working towards his B. Science in Psych. “I credit Professor Strasbourg with introducing me to philosophy. I just find it incredibly interesting, and I see a lot of potential for how it can inform my scientific exploration,” explains Dylan.

NWP’s Bachelor of Science University Transfer is designed to align with requirements of the University of Alberta (U of A), but students do have the option of transferring their course work to other institutions as well. After

completing his first two years, Dylan decided that the U of L was the place for him, both in terms of class size and the appeal of living in a municipality smaller than Edmonton or Calgary. “I would suggest to anyone who is thinking about transferring somewhere other than U of A to double check their chosen university’s requirements and make sure that they are on the right track for admission,” says Dylan.

Another piece of advice that Dylan has for students entering a university in their third year of study is to focus right from the start on connecting with professors and other academics in their area of interest. This is especially true if the student is planning, as is Dylan, to continue on into a master’s and PhD program. “The time goes faster than you’d think and as a third-year student who has just arrived, meeting and establishing relationships with mentors and advisors can be very beneficial.”

Dylan’s efforts to connect with like-minded academics paid off as he received a Chinook Summer Research Award thanks to his involvement with the Banzi lab within the U of L. “I feel really fortunate to be

a part of this lab, and to have been awarded this annual grant,” says Dylan. “As my career goal is to work in the area of research and teaching, having the opportunity to work alongside and support these knowledgeable primatologists is great experience for me.”

His passion for his work brought about another recent accomplishment, which was having a paper published in the August 2022 issue of Theory & Psychology

It is an uncommon honour for an undergraduate to have their work accepted by this caliber of publication, which is described as a fully peerreviewed bi-monthly forum for theoretical and meta-theoretical analysis in psychology. This achievement is all the more noteworthy in that this paper was not part of Dylan’s formal studies but, as he puts it, “just seemed like something that needed to be said.”

He says he loved the process of writing the article, just as he loves nearly every aspect of his chosen field. “If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would still be pursuing the ends that I am now,” Dylan explains. “I simply enjoy it for what it is.”

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

STEVE JOBS

Awards Community Alumniand

THE DISTINGUISHED VOLUNTEER AWARD

The Distinguished Volunteer Award recognizes exceptional contributions of time and energy dedicated to the advancement of NWP. This year the honour went to Status Energy CEO, Brenda Krahn

NWP’s annual Community and Alumni Awards recognize members of the community for contributions to excellence in education. These awards single out the institution and the region’s finest.

Brenda is a committed volunteer and has contributed to several institutional committees such as the Alumni Foundation, Bursary Selection Committee, and the Alumni Advisory Council. Over the years, Brenda has returned to NWP many times to add to her education and skillset. Her academic journey began a few years out of high school in the Business Administration diploma program, and

she returned later to complete her Bachelor of Administration. Brenda believes that when alumni are engaged with their post-secondary institutions, prospective students gain an understanding of the avenues available for exploration following graduation. Through her work on various committees and councils, Brenda is eager to help people achieve their dreams.

YURI SMITH

JOSEPH REDHEAD JESSE GRIFFIN

THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

The Indigenous Community Impact Award recognizes alumni whose outstanding contribution has demonstrated engagement and impact within First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities through contributions to public policy, volunteerism or activism, and to the advancement of higher education within these communities.

One of the 2022 recipients was Elizabeth Peterson, a Métis mental health professional. Elizabeth is making a difference in the lives of students, especially Indigenous students, at the Peace Wapiti Public School Division. She has made intentional efforts to bridge the Indigenous community with the broader community by enhancing connection and understanding.

Elizabeth works as a Community School Liaison Counselor with Peace Wapiti Public School Division. Originally from High Prairie, Alberta, Elizabeth moved to Grande Prairie when she was 18 to pursue her education at what was then GPRC. She believes that making sure children are supported with their mental health when they are younger will lead to children that grow up to be positive adults.

Joseph Redhead also received the Indigenous Community Impact Award in 2022. Joseph is a Registered Status Indian of Grande Prairie, and a band member of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. He is a local Indigenous role model and is highly regarded amongst his peers. Today, Joseph is viewed as a local trailblazer in selflessly volunteering in Grande Prairie for 41 years in the areas of social service and culture. Joseph attended NWP from 1998-2000 studying in the Bachelor of Science program. He went on to study at the University of Alberta, where

he decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Since the completion of his program in 2004, Joseph has been working as a nurse in his home community of Sturgeon Lake, Alberta. He credits our institution as being instrumental in guiding him along his academic and professional career path.

THE STEPS TO THE GREATER ALUMNI AWARD

The Steps to the Greater Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of NWP alumni early in their careers.

This past year it was awarded to Jesse Griffin. Currently an Alberta Health Services Team Lead, Jesse Griffin graduated from our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 2018. Right away, Jesse jumped into a career serving his community. In his role at AHS, he has and continues to play a vital part in assisting with many local public health efforts, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jesse believes that nursing is a versatile pathway for anyone looking for a career in making a difference in people’s lives.

THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

The Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize NWP alumni for outstanding accomplishments in their professions, and/or in service to their community, society, or NWP. Yuri Smith was the 2022 recipient. Yuri Smith began his educational journey in NWP’s Business Administration program and has been named on the Top 5 under 35 entrepreneurs list. He has made a successful career in our region by opening both a brokerage (Grassroots Reality Group) and a marketing company (GP3D Marketing), and is currently working to achieve his Master of Business Administration specializing in Real

Estate Consulting. Yuri is a true humanitarian at heart, which is evident through his initiatives to give back to his community. He created the Roots Foundation at his brokerage where funds given are used to pay it forward. Grassroots made it onto Maclean’s Canadian Business Magazine Top Startup list in 2020. This was an exciting accomplishment for Yuri, as he is determined to put Grande Prairie on the map, and he wants to do so through entrepreneurship.

THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AWARD OF DISTINCTION

The Board of Governors Award of Distinction is NWP’s highest tribute to individuals or groups within our community. This award has been established to honour individuals whose actions have made exceptional contributions to our community and to the advancement of higher education. The 2022 award recipient was Natalia Reiman. As one of the youngest individuals to be Chair, she served for three years on the Board of Governors and played an important advocacy role in getting the institution onto its polytechnic and degree-granting journey.

Natalia is dedicated to strengthening the institution’s community connections and impact. Her skills in leadership, and her tireless efforts and dedication to post-secondary education, and relationship building have benefited NWP greatly. Natalia is a lawyer at a female-led law firm. Growing up in a rural northern community, Natalia truly believes in the importance of post-secondary education and the impact it can make on people’s lives and the region.

Like so many things at NWP, our Community and Alumni Awards are evolving. Please visit NWP.me/Awards to learn more about new awards for the exceptional.

By continually exploring new opportunities for industry collaboration and partnership, NWP will stay ahead of workforce needs, accelerate innovation, and provide cutting-edge and career-focused learning experiences for our students.

SUPPORTING LONG-TERM VALUE

Today, partnerships with industry are at the heart of everything we do, and we are grateful to the organizations who value NWP’s role in our region’s economic growth and long-term success.

INVESTING IN FUTURE TALENT

In March 2022, staff, faculty, students, government leaders, and community members gathered to celebrate the final transition of Grande Prairie Regional College into Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP). The excitement generated by the official launch of NWP’s new direction was further strengthened by the announcement of two significant contributions by industry partners.

Spartan Controls, a recognized provider of industrial automation solutions in Western Canada, was recognized for a recent partnership enabling NWP instrumentation and control technician apprenticeship students to receive the bulk of their training right in Spartan’s leadingedge facility. This move allows students to be fully immersed in their

new career with access to the latest industry tools and technology.

In addition to the Spartan partnership, a generous $1 million donation by Grande Prairie’s ARC Resources Ltd. was announced. This community investment facilitated the return of NWP’s first year Bachelor of Engineering University Transfer program.

“This program plays an integral role in improving access to high-quality and relevant educational opportunities for students in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area,” said Terry Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, ARC Resources Ltd. “We are proud to partner with Northwestern Polytechnic and support the development of top talent for the future workforce in this thriving region.”

In June 2022, NWP and Pipestone Energy Corp. announced two new scholarships dedicated to helping students in their first year of postsecondary studies.

The Pipestone Entrance Scholarships are geared towards any students looking to start their educational journey at the institution with two full-ride first-year entrance scholarships available.

The first is a scholarship to the Bachelor of Engineering program, while the second is a first-year scholarship to an Indigenous student for any credit program at the institution.

“Pipestone Energy Corp. is committed to supporting long term value within our communities through enduring connections,” says Chris Soby, Director Land & Stakeholder Relations. “These scholarships have been established to encourage the continued development and success of the next generation of professionals in northwestern Alberta.”

BOOSTING CAPACITY AND ACCESS

NWP’s commercial driver training programs picked up speed thanks to a new partnership with Diversified Transportation Ltd. that will expand the Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) course offerings and accessibility.

“Our MELT program has always been popular, providing immediate skills and qualifications to Class 1 and Class 3 commercial drivers,” says Dr. Vanessa Sheane, Acting President and CEO. “These in-demand courses are often oversubscribed so we are pleased that, with Diversified’s help, we can now accommodate more students and do even more to address growing workforce needs.”

In addition to making a new training vehicle available to NWP’s growing fleet, Diversified Transport Ltd. will be boosting teaching capacity by providing access to a qualified Class 2 instructor. This is the first time that a Class 2 program will be offered locally.

“This partnership is great news for the region and the transportation industry as a whole,” says Tim Lindsay, VP Employee Transportation, Diversified Transport Ltd. “We are pleased to be able to contribute in a meaningful way that we know will deliver significant employment, economic, and community benefits.”

NWP welcomes all contributions. Please reach out to Giving@nwpolytech.ca to discuss how you can further support our learning community.

Success Degrees

It’s been a historic year at Alberta’s newest polytechnic. Along with a new name, bold new look, and inspired vision, the institution introduced two new degrees that will commence in Fall 2023.

Prospective students can now apply for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Computing Science degrees – two in-demand offerings that enable learners to start and finish their degree without leaving Grande Prairie.

“Our learning community has continued to advocate for the region and gain traction in the degree granting space,” says Dr. Vanessa Sheane, Acting President and CEO.

“This has been a big year and we are delighted to be welcoming our first cohort of NWP undergraduate degree students this fall.”

Over time, NWP has continued to grow and evolve at a remarkable pace. In 1997, NWP significantly expanded offerings by partnering with other post-secondaries to provide collaborative degree pathways for students. Along with collaborative degrees across

disciplines, the addition of more than a dozen University Transfer programs has enabled students to start their academic journey close to home and realize their goals. Last winter, the biggest change occurred when the institution announced it would become Alberta’s newest polytechnic and fulfill its longstanding aspiration of becoming a degree-granting institution.

The new designation opened the door for even more career opportunities with the addition of impactful local degrees.

“Becoming a polytechnic enables us to better align with the needs of our industry and our students,” says Dr. Sheane. “Our program portfolio is greatly enhanced by getting these degree programs up and running. I see them as inspiring examples of how we are tapping into the

entrepreneurial skills and talents in this region and continually evolving our offerings to meet the diverse needs of all current and prospective students.”

The BBA program is designed to prepare students for a career in business, focusing on entrepreneurial skills and priorities. The BBA explores the daily ethical, financial, and managerial issues that Canadian businesses and managers face. It also allows skilled tradespeople to apply trades qualifications toward a bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of Computing Science program provides a solid foundation of the technical, interpersonal, and hands-on skills needed to excel as a computing science professional. Students will have the opportunity to explore areas including mobile applications, computer games, networking and communications, big data, cloud computing, database development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and computer graphics.

NWP’s Bachelor of Computing Science is breaking new ground in Alberta, as it is the province’s first four-year degree of this type.

“This historic achievement is just one way we are delivering enhanced local academic offerings to meet student demand and industry needs,” said Dr. Sheane. “We expect these new degrees will attract students from across the region, country, and world who will be in high demand amongst employers.”

Akash Parmar is an NWP student who landed in Grande Prairie from India in August 2021. In India, high school students have three options for which career stream they would like to pursue. One of these streams is commerce and includes studies in accounting and economics. These subjects always piqued Akash’s interest and so he set himself on this businessoriented path.

Akash explains that he initially explored post-secondary institutions in larger cities such as Vancouver and Toronto, but the cost-of-living expenses did not appeal to him. In the end, choosing NWP to continue his post-secondary studies was easy as Akash has many relatives in the Grande Prairie region. His brother has been living in the city since 2006, so moving in with him seemed ideal.

Upending his life and moving so far away from home proved difficult at first. Akash had never travelled internationally, and a new variant of the COVID-19 virus was complicating matters even further.

Due to the on-going pandemic, direct flights from India to Canada were not available. It took six flights for Akash to make it here. Starting his journey in India, he travelled to Albania, the Czech Republic, Toronto, and Calgary. Finally, after six days of travel and what felt like countless airports, Akash found himself in Grande Prairie.

Twenty-year-old Parmar has recently completed NWP’s Business Administration certificate program and is now continuing his studies in NWP’s Business Administration diploma. To learn more about opportunities for international students visit NWP.me/InternationalStudents.

Pursuing a significant life change can be daunting, but overcoming challenges and gaining new skills and confidence can make it all worth it.

His arrival right at the end of August 2021 was just in time for the start of the fall semester. While he was committed to experiencing everything that orientation week had to offer, it wasn’t the smoothest transition into a new school year.

“I vividly remember the end of my first class. I was feeling so dizzy, I couldn’t even stand because of the jetlag and travel,” says Akash. “I hadn’t had proper rest and I didn’t know anything about Canadian education. Everything was so new to me.”

The first week of school at NWP was a whirlwind for Akash as he learned about all the resources available to him, met his instructors, located his classes, and started to figure out student life. Although he was nervous, he found himself becoming more and more comfortable with his new surroundings and home.

Akash’s first impression of the NWP campus was one of astonishment. He couldn’t believe the size of the campus! At first, he felt quite nervous asking for directions and was concerned he would get lost in between classes. He quickly found that people at NWP were more than happy to help out and show him the way.

Once Akash became more accustomed to Canada and our post-secondary culture, he was able to relax a bit and began to make friends. It helped that his first friend at NWP was also an international student from India. Akash was very pleased to connect with someone who shared similar cultural and community experiences, and this friendship helped him to settle in even further. “We studied together, and we got past things together,” Akash explains.

Akash’s favourite experience as a NWP student has been cheering on the Wolves. Akash played and enjoyed watching sports back in India, so he appreciates getting to be a part of the crowd at games and events.

Once he completes his business studies, Akash hopes to find a job or gain an internship in his field to learn from a professional. “That’s the best way you can learn,” says Akash. “Someone good in their field will let you know everything they know.”

Akash believes that NWP is a great starting point for international students. The reasonable living expenses and tuition, and the size of both NWP and the size of Grande Prairie itself, all contribute to it being a positive choice and experience.

“You can come here and start something fresh. Grande Prairie is a good place to come if you want to start a new life,” Akash says. “And NWP is a great post-secondary to help you progress in your career.”

When asked if he has any advice for new international students, Akash explains that they should connect with other international students who are a few semesters ahead of them.

“Ask them all the questions you have. Just clear up all your doubts. Don’t be nervous about approaching,” says Akash. “Ask for help. Everybody is helpful. They will never refuse to help you.”

Given that in less than two short years, Akash has become a seasoned traveller, a successful international student, and a friend to many here at NWP, we are pretty sure that he has followed his own sound advice.

Explore & start saving today!

NWP alumni have access to premium rates on a variety of local programs and services, both on and off campus.

One of NWP’s talented instructors has recently been published in two prestigious mathematics journals.

After filling a sessional appointment at NWP in 2019, Dr. Selcuk Aygin is back and has accepted a tenure track role within NWP’s Department of Science. “I enjoyed my time here in 2019,” he says, and adds that he “feels fortunate to be back.” We feel fortunate to have him back and to celebrate and acknowledge his recent academic successes.

Dr. Aygin’s paper, “Sums of triangular numbers and sums of

squares”, appears in the 2023 issue of the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications. Coauthored with Dr. Amir Akbary, this paper explores relations between sums of triangular numbers and sums of squares.

Another of his works, titled “RogersRamanujan type generalized reciprocal identities and Eisenstein series”, appears in the 2023 issue of Research in Number Theory. Here, Dr. Aygin explores q-analogues of reciprocal identities, whose limiting cases yield to interesting things like continued fractions and “the golden ratio.”

At NWP, we understand that everyone has a story. Hearing from others can be a powerful catalyst for discovering and pursuing new opportunities. As we learn about the inspiring people in our midst, we are reminded that it is never too late to explore a new interest or rewarding career path.

Dr. Aygin has been involved in both abstract and applied mathematical research throughout his academic career. He received his PhD from Carleton University in 2016 and since then has held a range of teaching roles and postdoctoral fellowships everywhere from University of Calgary to Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

The author of dozens of papers, Dr. Aygin is always looking for his next research challenge. “I do research because I enjoy it,” he said. “It’s like art. You do it because it’s beautiful.”

Congratulations and welcome back, Dr. Aygin!

Dr. Charles Backman Epitomizing the value of lifelong learning

Interested in supporting our students and institution? Connect with our Development team at Giving@nwpolytech.ca to learn how you can become a donor.

It’s been said that one of the most important principles of success is developing a habit of going the extra mile. For Dr. Charles Backman, esteemed NWP Instructor Emeritus, going the extra mile seems to be second nature. And, just as the saying claims, this admirable characteristic contributed to Dr. Backman’s impressive track record of noteworthy educational, career, and philanthropic accomplishments.

Dr. Charles Backman epitomizes what it means to be a lifelong learner. It began with him earning his Bachelor of Science in Forestry (1976) and a Master of Business Administration (1986) from the University of British Columbia. He followed those up with a Master of Arts in International Studies (1990) and then a PhD (1993) in Economics and Forest Management from the University of Washington.

Upon becoming an instructor in the Business Administration program at Northwestern Polytechnic, Charles saw the opportunity to expand his knowledge even further and began a PhD in Strategy and Global Management at the University of Calgary. Having retired in August 2020, you might think he’d finally be done but he is currently working towards a DL Master of Science in Quantitative Finance from the University of London in the UK. Now that’s the extra mile!

When asked what inspired his love of learning, Charles remembers an impressionable experience from his youth. When he was old enough to go into a beer tavern, his dad first took him to one of the seedier establishments in Vancouver –complete with cigarette burns, carpet stains, and the smell of having too many beers at one time. His dad followed this eyeopening experience with a visit to the Panorama restaurant on the rooftop of Hotel Vancouver. A very nice place, especially back then. “Once I’d experienced both, he asked me where I wanted to end up,” says

Charles. “There was never a question of not going to university.”

The trajectory of Charles’ career and his many professional accomplishments ran concurrent with his educational pursuits, and it all began with forestry. Influenced by his father and his grandfather, the latter of whom emigrated from Sweden and worked in the coastal forest industry in the early 1900s, Charles was always interested in the intersection of forestry, trade, and sustainable development. In 1998, Charles accepted a position in the forestry program at Grande Prairie Regional College.

“As part of the Forestry Group at GPRC, I became the Training Forest Forester, in addition to my other academic responsibilities,” he explains. “I developed the process through which faculty, government bodies, and local agencies manage NWP’s Training Forest, while improving the educational experience for the student body and other stakeholders. The result was an excellent educational training ground that supports sustainable forest management at all levels.” He is proud to have played an integral role in the training forest becoming a “self-supporting, multi-stakeholder effort that is preparing the next generation of forester in Alberta.”

In 2005, Charles began putting his knowledge of international trade and resource development to work as an instructor within GPRC’s Business Administration program. Never one to sit on his laurels, he continued to find new avenues to push for progress through a multistakeholder approach. As the faculty elected member of the GPRC Board of Directors, he initiated a project to raise the profile of Applied Degrees in Alberta. The project culminated with a presentation at the annual

meeting of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (now CI Can), after which Charles was elected as the ACCC Faculty Representative for Alberta.

If all of that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Charles was also involved with GPRC’s Academic Staff Association, in such roles as the Treasurer and Member at Large. Outside of the institution, he served as Chair of the GP Speaker Series, academic member of International Papers EAC, and Treasurer of the Inverness Condominium Board.

Luckily for NWP and our students, Charles’ extra mile extends to philanthropy. He and his family have a long history of partnership with the institution, and they have supported many different events and initiatives. The Backman Family Fund awards $500 annually to a secondyear university transfer student and Charles recently made the greatly appreciated pledge of an additional $75K in bursaries for NWP students.

“The polytechnic is part of the social fabric of this region and community,” explains Charles. “Just as the institution needs to work with partners to realize its potential, I believe the students can also work together to make the region a better place. It’s important that we continually encourage each other to become better than we are today, and that together we help pave the way for future generations.”

Charles Backman’s legacy within NWP is one of generosity and persistence. On many different levels, our institution has benefited, and will continue to benefit, from his commitment to knowledge, learning and partnership. We wish him all the best on his continued educational endeavours, and we can’t wait to hear about what he plans to tackle next!

Declan Crawford

Many of the students who enroll in NWP’s Harley-Davidson® program are somewhat new to motorcycle mechanics and most have never worked on a Harley. Declan Crawford is not one of them.

At 19, Declan Crawford recently became one of the youngest tradespeople to achieve accreditation as Master Technician for HarleyDavidson®. This is a remarkable accomplishment as reaching this level is not only a rigorous test of skill and knowledge but requires a significant investment of time, education, and dealership experience. According to harley-davidson.com, a minimum of five years’ experience at an authorized Harley-Davidson® Dealership is required, but it usually takes even longer than that to work through the lower levels and complete the required course work.

To understand how Declan managed to achieve this renowned status less than two years after graduating high school, it helps to know that he has been running around the Mighty Peace Harley-Davidson dealership in Grande Prairie since he was a toddler.

“My mom, Lindsay German (General Manager, Mighty Peace HarleyDavidson), started working at the dealership as a service writer when I was pretty young, so I’ve been around Harleys my whole life,” explains Declan. “By middle school I was sweeping floors and washing bikes, and it wasn’t too long after that that I started helping out the technicians.”

While his family connection to the dealership certainly helped cement his passion and support his goals, it was Declan’s decision to participate in Alberta’s Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) while in high school that set him up to complete his Motorcycle Mechanic Apprenticeship and Red Seal certification in record time. RAP students are both full-time students and registered apprentices and divide their time between an approved work site and their high school studies.

“Being in Alberta, there are so many opportunities available through RAP,” says Declan. “I have nothing but great things to say about the program. I was lucky to already have a place to work but if you don’t, they help you find a job and make industry connections. I earned more than enough credits to graduate, while also working 3 hours a day, getting some great experience and making some money.”

Upon graduating high school in 2020, Declan had already accumulated nearly three years’ worth of apprenticeship hours towards his Motorcycle Mechanic qualification certificate, and enough knowledge to challenge and pass the first-year exam. He finished up his third- and fourth-year technical training at NWP’s Fairview Campus. “Although I found it hard to be away from home for that long, it was a really great experience,” he says. “I met people from all around the province and made some good friends.”

Since returning from Fairview, Declan hasn’t slowed down much. Three months after getting back, he was awarded his Red Seal certification. While his apprenticeship certifies him to work in Alberta, his Red Seal allows him to work as a qualified journeyman across the country. Not long after that, Declan received Harley-Davidson’s top-qualification of Master Technician. Peter Sellers, who teaches both the HarleyDavidson® Certificate and “PHD” Factory training courses for NWP, was proud to award Declan with this latest certification.

“Declan is really one of our shining stars. It is great to see him recognized for his exceptional abilities. He’s a highly skilled and competent young man, and I think he’s done a wonderful job.”

It’s been a busy few years for Declan, and though he now has the qualifications, experience, and expertise to work anywhere in the world, he says he is pretty happy to stay put for awhile. Now mentoring apprentices of his own, and his second Harley calling out for customization (a 2019 Street Bob, for those in the know), chances are he’ll be in the shop if you need him.

“Declan is really one of our shining stars. It is great to see him recognized for his exceptional abilities. He’s a highly skilled and competent young man, and I think he’s done a wonderful job.”

Sorting carefully through hundreds of wooden tiles, each one decorated in memory of the children who never returned home from Canada’s residential schools, Desiree Mearon couldn’t stop thinking about her young grandson.

than 800 members of the community who each contributed a tile.

Inspired by similar initiatives she had seen towards reconciliation, Desiree started sending out small tiles last fall to nearby schools, students enrolled in the Aboriginal Head Start program, and students, faculty, and staff on both

received an enthusiastic reply. “I was grateful for the opportunity to use my skill set to create something meaningful,” says Ess. “It was so beautiful to be involved, because this project allowed people to give back in a way that was accessible to them.”

Before Ess received the tiles, they were smudged by NWP Elder in Residence, Theresa Gladue, in a private ceremony intended to cleanse and bless them. Ess came up with the idea of stringing the tiles so they would overlap, but still be free to swivel and move around.“I felt the tiles were a metaphor for the discovered graves, so I didn’t think they should be fastened in place and put behind glass,” she explains. “I felt they should be interacted with more and be free to move. Metaphorically, it was a stronger way to display them.”

Thoughts about what would happen if someone just took him away, kept haunting her. What if she was too powerless to stop it? Even if he did return home one day, Desiree thought, his beautiful spirit would surely come back broken.

Like many across the country, Mearon was stunned by the 2021 discovery of more than 200 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. As Indigenous liaison coordinator at NWP, Desiree soon began reflecting on what she could do to not only raise awareness, but also try to heal the pain in the community.

The result of Desiree’s efforts is a stunning visual arts project, to be unveiled this fall to commemorate Canada’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Made up of two teepee-shaped installations, each displaying over 400 hand-decorated tiles, the artwork represents a collaboration between Desiree, the Fine Arts department at NWP, and more

NWP campuses. “I left it wide open in terms of what they could do with them; the only direction I gave was to create a design either in memory of a child who didn’t return from residential school, or to honour the healing journey of someone who did come home,” says Desiree, who is Métis.

Designs varied from carefully placed stickers by the youngest contributors, who were aged three and four, to exquisite paintings, Indigenous symbols and wishes for hope and healing through words and phrases.

“The response was very emotional. I was overwhelmed - I never expected such a high quality and quantity of art to come back,” says Desiree. “One thing that was important to us was ensuring this wasn’t a hurried process. Once all the tiles came back, we started planning how they needed to be displayed.”

Desiree then reached out to Ess Hoflick, chair of the Department of Fine Arts at NWP, to help and

Along with several undergraduate students, Ess and Desiree spent more than 100 hours stringing the tiles together with synthetic sinew thread with four beads placed between each tile. As a sacred number in Indigenous culture, the number four represents the stages of life on the medicine wheel as well as the four seasons. The tiles were then split between two wooden cases, one of which will be exhibited on the Grande Prairie campus on the wall outside the executive offices, and the other in a similar location on the Fairview campus.

For Desiree, the artwork is an invaluable opportunity to create further discussion and understanding. “It creates a space where people want to learn more about reconciliation and what that looks like, what it means to be an ally of Indigenous people, and how they can educate themselves more on the subject,” she says.

“When I decorated my tile, I used just a phrase: ‘The children they took and tried to silence are the very ones who have awoken the world.’”

Long-time international student, Tom Wheeler, has come a long way – both literally and figuratively. Six years ago, Tom journeyed to Grande Prairie from Ipswich, Australia. Ipswich is located in inland Australia, approximately 930 kilometres north of Sydney and a whopping 12,000 kilometres and two full days travel from Grande Prairie!

According to Tom, even though it was a world away, choosing NWP was easy. In Grade 11, Tom was a top-level volleyball player and was encouraged to consider how the sport might play into his plans after high school. A Canadian coach came to talk to him and his teammates to introduce them to all the different volleyball opportunities that could be explored at a postsecondary level in Canada.

“He had this big whiteboard of all the colleges and universities that he would recommend, and NWP was on there for Alberta,” says Tom.

It didn’t hurt that Tom’s childhood best friend had come to Canada the year prior to attend NWP and play for the Wolves. His friend shared that NWP was a good school with lots of educational opportunities, and a great place to play sports. That was enough for Tom and he decided, despite how little he knew about this part of the world, to take the leap and enroll in NWP’s Teacher Education North (TEN) program.

There are a few things that have stuck with Tom about his first impressions of NWP and the community of Grande Prairie. He remembers being pleasantly surprised at the small classroom sizes. This allowed him to connect more easily with his classmates and helped him avoid feeling overwhelmed with everything he had going on.

Grande Prairie’s small-town feel was new to Tom and a definite change of pace given that he had left a city five times its size. He remembers being struck by how kind and welcoming people were everywhere he went. And thankfully, his friend’s assurance that NWP was a great place to play volleyball was proven true by NWP’s impressive gym, which Tom believes is the best in the league.

As with every major life transition, there were some trying times. Tom’s first Christmas in Grande Prairie was rough. In Australia, temperatures soar upwards of +40 degrees Celsius in December, and he was finding it hard to get used to -40. Between the weather and the shorter winter days, he started to feel homesick.

Tom knew, however, where to turn for help getting through the hard times and gives top credit to the connections and friendships he had developed through the school. Playing for the NWP men’s volleyball team, he had his teammates to lean on, as well as the diverse group of friends he made through his various education classes. He also found it very helpful to engage with other Australians who had chosen NWP as it gave him an important sense of connection to home.

Many of Tom’s fondest memories at NWP revolve around his time in athletics. From road trips to toga parties, resident move-in days to simply joking around and bonding with his teammates, Tom has enjoyed it all. One experience that stands out is when NWP hosted the Women’s Volleyball Nationals in 2018. “That was awesome,” Tom remembers. “Just seeing the gym crowded with people from around the country… That is one of my favorite memories.”

With each passing year, Tom found himself settling in and feeling more and more acclimatized. Looking back, he can see how he has changed in many ways and how his

approach to helping others worked to build up his confidence.

As a senior member of his volleyball team, it is easy for Tom to spot when junior team members are struggling. He explains that being able to support these younger students has been beneficial to his personal growth.

“Being able to help them helps me as well. It’s kind of like, fake it until you make it, I guess,” says Tom. “When I act really confident and reassuring towards the younger guys, it helps me feel confident in myself as well.”

This increased confidence has extended beyond the volleyball court into Tom’s academics. “I feel like I’m a lot more confident in myself and better able to articulate my thoughts and ideas,” says Tom. “That’s pretty important in the TEN program, as there is a lot of collaboration and group work.”

It is important to Tom that students coming to NWP have as positive an experience as possible, so he’s happy to share what worked for him. His advice for incoming international students is to be detail-orientated, always read the fine print and ensure all forms are well filled out to avoid headaches down the road. He adds that they should always ask too many questions, not be nervous about expanding their social group, and to get out to as many NWP events as they can. “Get involved, because you really only have one opportunity to be a student,” says Tom.

We’re thankful that Tom chose NWP for his opportunity to be a student, and that we have been able to play such a positive and significant role in his life over these past six years. For all he’s gained through his time here, we appreciate all that he has given in return!

“Get involved, because you really only have one opportunity to be a student”

Dr. Gail MacInnis makes things happen. Whether it’s agreeing to an interview while simultaneously training students in the field (and keeping a watchful eye for bears!) or leading the charge on four active research grants, Gail is adept at identifying a need and doing what it takes to get it done.

Entering the wild world of pollinators in the Peace

As a Research Scientist for NWP’s National Bee Diagnostic CentreTechnology Access Centre (NBDCTAC), Gail focuses on wild bees. Wild bees, as opposed to managed pollinators like honey bees, are species of bees that are usually native to a particular area and that aid in the pollination of both agricultural and wild plants.

“Honey bees are considered a managed pollinator in that humans take care of them and know how to make more. They are kind of like chickens” explains Gail. “The honey bee population has received lots of research focus and funding, and

much more is known about the pests and diseases that impact their health.

Wild bees, of which there are more than 20,000 species worldwide, are a different story. Many of the wild bee populations are struggling and their numbers are declining, and for some species declining at a rapid rate. There is a significant need for more research on how we can best support and protect the diversity, abundance, and health of these important pollinators.

While they might not know it, Canada’s wild bee populations are fortunate to have Gail on their side. It almost didn’t go that way. After growing up in Cape Breton, Gail oriented herself towards astrophysics, in which she earned her bachelor’s degree at Saint Mary’s University. A somewhat chance email inviting her on a “wild arctic adventure” to study the physics of wind pollination compelled her to shift course into Environmental Science and the field of pollination ecology. Her arctic adventure in Le Pas, Manitoba, led to many exciting opportunities, including research trips to the Amazon and into West Africa. With pollination firmly established as her field of choice, Gail went on to earn her Ph.D. at McGill University with a thesis on bee diversity, pollination, and fruit production in strawberry agroecosystems.

When asked what drew her to becoming a research scientist, Gail points to the satisfaction she feels in discovering new things. “There are so many bee species out there, and so much of what I focus on is historically understudied,” she explains.

“This means that much of what my teams and I uncover is all new. There is still so much to learn about the ecology and life histories of many of our wild bee species,

and there is a significant need for more research and knowledge to understand how these pollinators live, so that we can help maintain their populations and healthy ecosystems.”

Another aspect of the work that appeals to Gail is the practical application of the research she conducts. “We aren’t just building knowledge for the sake of knowledge.

We make these discoveries and then get to apply them to the real world. There is incredible satisfaction in that.”

Underscoring both the need for this work, and the opportunities for real-world application, is the funding and show of support that Gail has received from both industry and government agencies. Even summarized at a high-level, it is easy to see the breadth and depth of Gail’s efforts and its potential impact on our country’s economy, food system, industry, and environmental health.

IMPROVING ALFALFA LEAFCUTTING BEE HEALTH AND PEST CONTROL

Through a NSERC grant, in addition to a funding contribution by the Alfalfa Seed and Forage Commissions of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, this research project is focused on the alfalfa leafcutting bee. This species has been responsible for increasing alfalfa seed yields fivefold and revolutionizing this important forage cropping industry in Canada and the United States. Gail and her team are exploring the parasite and pathogen pressures facing these bees and investigating alternative control options to protect them from one of their most prevalent pests.

ENHANCING PRODUCTION, RESILIENCE, AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH IN NORTHERN REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

Gail and the team at the NBDC were successful in securing a NSERC Mobilize grant of $1 million over five years to investigate the influence of common regenerative practices used by farmers in northern Canada, such as cover crop management and grazing strategies, on biodiversity, profitability, and animal and pollinator health.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF POLLEN DNA METABARCODING

Gail and the NBDC team will benefit from a research grant funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) and Alberta Innovates to develop in-house pollen DNA metabarcoding technology, to enhance pollinator health, and honey value in cropping landscapes. Analyzing pollen DNA in honey, and on the bodies of bees, can accurately determine the plant species a bee has visited and uncover links between bee health and landscape resources. This contribution was made possible through the Agriculture Funding Consortium, a consortium of 18 commodity groups including producers of wheat, barley, canola, bees, and beef.

POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY PIPELINES: ENERGY AND BIODIVERSITY ALONG NORTHERN ALBERTA’S PIPELINE CORRIDORS

In comparison to agricultural lands, pipeline corridors represent a unique opportunity to study and monitor our wild and native bees. Through assessments of floral diversity and pollinator habitat along these working landscapes, Gail and her team will gain essential ecological knowledge needed to support wild pollinator populations, while maintaining safety and accessibility for pipeline managers. The main objectives are to establish pollinator diversity monitoring sites along pipeline corridors in northern Alberta, contribute to provincial and global biodiversity monitoring initiatives, and further understand the ecological and conservation needs of native bee species. Support for this project has been received through TC Energy’s Build Strong program.

We look forward to seeing what new discoveries Dr. MacInnis and her team make in support of our Peace Country pollinators.

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