(12 Month NOHFC Internship – 35 hours per week)
Research Assistant NORDIK Job Posting (PDF version)

Qualifications:

Northern Ontario secondary school graduates 29 years of age or under who recently graduated (within 3 years) from an accredited college or university. Northern Ontario secondary school graduate or a secondary school graduate from outside of Northern Ontario who has resided in the North for at least 12 consecutive months. Internships must provide first-time employment in a related field. The applicant must also not have previously participated in an internship program.

Primary Function:

Under the direction of the Research Coordinator, the Research Assistant will provide assistance to NORDIK’s current projects including strategic planning in the culture sector in Northern Ontario and projects currently under development. The Research Assistant will also assist in organizing NORDIK’s educational events, both web-based and in-person gatherings.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Assist with the coordination of meetings: scheduling, preparing meeting packages, sending out notices and taking minutes.
• Assist with coordinating communication between community organizations regarding meetings, consultations, training, and/or events
• Assist in following up with the documentation and report writing of community consultations, events, etc.
• Assist with all aspects of research including literature reviews, data collection and analysis and report writing
• Attend weekly research meetings and other training workshops provided by NORDIK and university faculty and staff

Skills & Qualifications:

• Recent diploma or degree in Community Economic and Social Development, Business Administration, or related field of study
• Knowledge of community-based research methods
• Experience with strategic planning
• Event planning experience
• Knowledge of the cultural sector in Northern Ontario
• Experience writing grant and funding applications
• Familiar with media use, including social media
• Excellent interpersonal, written and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Experience with Microsoft and web-based applications
• Knowledge of Anishinaabe culture preferred

Working Conditions:

The hours of work will be from 8:30am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday with some flexible hours.

Deadline for applications: Friday, June 1, 2012 by 4:00pm

Please send cover letter and resume to:

NORDIK Institute – Hiring Committee
Algoma University
1520 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Email: hr@algomau.ca
Website: www.nordikinstitute.com

Research Assistant NORDIK Job Posting (PDF version)

Economic Gardening is an entrepreneurial approach to economic development that seeks to grow the local economy from within. Join NORDIK Institute for this free webinar to hear how communities can strengthen their local entrepreneurs.

When and where?

Wednesday May 30, 2012, Algoma University, Room EW205 (Doc Brown Lounge)
Webinar - 12:00pm-1:00pm

Presenter: Christine Hamilton-Pennell

This webinar will feature Christine Hamilton-Pennell, Founder and President of Growing Local Economies.

Description: Traditional economic development focuses on attracting or recruiting business to a local community.  For some communities this may not work.  Learn about economic gardening, an entrepreneurial approach to economic development. Find out how to grow your local economy by supporting entrepreneurs through the delivery of customized research services, appropriate infrastructure and strategic connections. Hear about some successful Ontario experience from Collingwood where several organizations and programs are supporting entrepreneurs in their region.

Participation is free. Two options for participation.

1. To register for the webinar at Algoma University (EW205), contact: David Thompson, Research Coordinator – ThompsonD@algomau.ca (705) 949-2301 x3028. (Economic Gardening Poster)
2. If you cannot make it to the University, you can also participate in the webinar (12-1) with a hi-speed connection. To register for this option, visit the event’s page.

More About the Series

This webinar is part of the Rural Ontario Institute’s 2012 Leadership Webinar Series, “Innovative Approaches to Rural Community Economic Development”.

The webinar series is presented by the Rural Ontario Institute in partnership with CCEDNet, EDCO and OACFDC, with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.  The series features three thought-leaders who have practical experience with an innovative economic development approach at the community or regional level.

The series will enable community economic development practitioners across the province, regardless of geographic location, to access barrier-free information on exciting, new and potentially under-utilized approaches to CED from leaders in the field.

Qualifications:
To be eligible to participate in the Canada Summer Jobs initiative, individuals must:

• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• have been registered as full-time students in the previous academic year and intend to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
• be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.

Primary Functions:
Under the direction of Dr. Nairne Cameron, the Research Assistant will assist with two projects:
1. Conduct a local food survey and; 2. Assist with a research project investigating barriers to healthy food retail in the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Entering and analyzing survey data;
• Searching academic literature and internet using keywords;
• Conducting land title searches (training provided);
• Undertaking property site visits (training provided);
• Assisting in preparing a report;
• Helping to plan focus groups and a series of interviews;
• Visiting farmer’s markets and other local food events to disseminate results of the local food survey to the general public; and,
• Attend bi-weekly NORDIK staff meetings.

Skills Preferred:

• Interest in local food and associated policy issues
• Ability to work independently
• Attention to detail
• Self-starter and team player
• Aptitude and interest in research activities
• Experience interfacing with the general public
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications, in particular Microsoft Excel
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) an asset (not mandatory)
• Completion of a research methods course an asset

Working Conditions:
The hours of work will be from 8:30 – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday with some flexible hours.
Wage: $12.00/hour X 35 hours X 8 weeks

Deadline for applications: Friday, May 18, 2012 by 4:00pm
Please send cover letter and resume to:
NORDIK Institute – Hiring Committee
1520 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Email: hr@algomau.ca

Research Assistant.Job description PDF

The maps of Northern Ontario, for example, often overlooked, or perhaps deliberately omitted, social and economic activities.  Professor Dutlinger is working with some First Nation members to address this.  She states, “Through the recovery of Anishinaabe place names in Northern Ontario we will learn to train our eyes to see the erasures and silences on maps. We will try to uncover places and learn their stories in the vast region that was called ‘Terra Nulla’ (‘No Man’s Land’) by the 17th century Europeans—now known in English as Upper Canada/Northern Ontario/the Algoma District”.

Chief Dean Sayers will provide a historical perspective of Batchewana First Nations Traditional territory discussing the assertions of present day and visions of the future.  “The speakers will provide a historical overview as well as a current analysis of why we are confronted with so many contested territorial issues” says Dr. Gayle Broad, Chair of the Department sponsor.  “Many communities are facing complex development proposals such as the ‘Ring of Fire’ which have the potential to be very divisive; we need to better understand the roots of these diverse perspectives”.

Professor Dutlinger’s talk is entitled “Maps, Wayfinding, and Identity: Restoring Anishinaabe Place Names On, Along, and Beyond the Upper Great Lakes”  while Chief Sayers will address “A look at the Past, Present and Future – the Traditional Territory of Batchewana First Nation”.

The public lecture will be held in the Bio-Sciences Convergence Building, Lecture Theatre BT203.

For further info:  Dr. Gayle Broad, 949-2301 x 4351

Click here for the event poster.

The exhibit features organizations such as Penokean Hills Farms, the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee, the Hiawatha Players from Garden River, a Northern Ontario crafts exhibit, and research into supporting local agriculture.  The project results from five years of research conducted by Algoma University’s Community Economic and Social Development (CESD) program and NORDIK Institute, in collaboration with the Centre for Cooperative Studies at the University of Saskatchewan.

“This exhibit is about where we live, work and play”, says Dr. Gayle Broad of NORDIK Institute. Community members are constantly organizing themselves to deliver services, create jobs, and develop more inclusive ways of working together.  Co-operatives, credit unions and non-profit organizations keep communities sustainable, inclusive and engaged.”

Funding for the research and exhibit panels was provided in part, by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).   Other funders included the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund’s Youth Internship Program, Canada Summer Jobs, the Ontario Crafts Council, the Sault Ste. Marie Community Development Corporation, and Human Resources Development Canada. The funding provided research experience to over 25 students and youth interns, several of whom have gone on to post-graduate studies, and many others who are now employed full-time in Northern Ontario.

The exhibition will be located at the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library – Main Library. An opening reception will take place on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 7 pm  at the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library Main Library. There will be a panel of guest speakers, a chance to explore the exhibit and refreshments. The event is open to everyone.

De-Railed: The National Dream, is a documentary examining the crumbling state of the Canadian railway system. Having lost more than 10,000 kilometers of track since 1990, why has Canada allowed it’s “ribbon-of-rail” to become so tattered?

Go to www.shadowsfilmfest.com for ticket prices.

Tickets can be purchased at: 

Canadian Mental Health Association
February 15 to March 1 (8:30am – 4:30pm)
386 Queen Street East
(705) 759-0458 ext 242

Station Mall Dennis Street Entrance
February 22 to March 1 (11am – 7pm)
and March 2 (11am – 5pm )

LopLops
March 1 and March 2 (5pm – 9:30pm) and
March 3 (11:3am – 9:30pm) and
March 4th (12:00pm – 7:00pm)
651 Queen St. E – just east of the Grand Theatre

The study will include surveys, focus groups and public information sessions and is funded by the ‘Greening Ontario’ fund, a provincial initiative.

“In order for the Public Utilities Commission to promote practical and effective water conservation measures in our community we must know how water is currently being used by consumers,” said PUC President Brian Curran. “We need to know how efficient current water devices and appliances are in the home and we need to understand whether consumers are willing to take action to reduce their water consumption.”

Data collected in the survey will provide a base-line understanding of attitudes and water use.

“Water conservation is of increasing concern around the world,” stated NORDIK Research Director, Dr. Gayle Broad. “And many people would like to decrease their ‘environmental footprint’ but aren’t certain how to go about that. We believe that this research will help local residents understand the beneficial impact of simple small changes in their home.”

Those changes include such items as rainwater use for gardening, and use of newer appliances that have adopted conservation standards.

The survey, which will take only about 10 minutes to complete, will be distributed to every household in Sault Ste. Marie over the next few weeks via an information package contained in their PUC invoice, with a goal of survey completion by mid-March.

NORDIK research assistants will be collecting the data to ensure anonymity of research participants.

Participants may complete the survey either online, by requesting a paper copy from NORDIK, or alternatively by telephone.

For a paper or telephone survey please contact Victoria Thomas at 705-949-2301 ext. 4357 or Ian Brodie at 705-949-2301 ext. 4370.

The research process began when Edith Orr, manager of the Johnson Township Farmers’ Market, approached David Thompson and Nairne Cameron with an interest in examining the flow of local food into the Sault Ste. Marie marketplace. This research project aims to assist local farmers in coordinating their supply chain while identifying market opportunities and bottlenecks in the local food system.

David Thompson (NORDIK Institute) and Dr. Nairne Cameron from the Geography Department of Algoma University put together a team of researchers to administer the survey and map research results. The team consists of Katrina Holkko, an Algoma U (Community Economic and Social Development) student tasked with survey administration and Maddy Foggia, a Sault College GIS student tasked with mapping research results.

Support has been generated for the project from the Algoma Food Network and the local Mennonite community in Central Algoma. The Sault Ste. Marie Community Development Corporation has also put their support behind the project through the Local Initiatives Fund.

Any restaurants, food businesses or farmers that are interested in participating can contact David Thompson at (705) 949-2301 x3028 or thompsond@algomau.ca

This research project builds on NORDIK Institute’s previous work around food security and food sovereignty through the Algoma Sheep & Lamb Producers Association, Algoma Food Network, Penokean Hills Farms, and the Rural Agri-Food Innovation Network in partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.

• Project portfolios, featuring past and present projects with reports and resources.
• Researcher profiles, highlighting both academic and community researchers with articles and publications.

These features and more will be launched at the end of January. Be sure to stay tuned to us on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for news and events.