A Yellowknife woman is raising a red flag over the fact that the association representing Northern social workers has been left off a list of organizations being consulted for the foundational review of Aurora College.

Dawn McInnes, a retired social worker and NWT director of the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada, said that of the 19 community groups listed for consultation in the reviewSA国际影视传媒檚 terms of reference, her association is not one of them.

She worries the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 lack of outreach to the group is a sign the GNWT plans to scrap Aurora CollegeSA国际影视传媒檚 social work program, regardless of the reviewSA国际影视传媒檚 outcome.

SA国际影视传媒淚 kind of saw it as writing on the wall,SA国际影视传媒� said McInnes. SA国际影视传媒淚t kind of concerns me, because itSA国际影视传媒檚 very heavily-laden with industry, trades, mining.SA国际影视传媒�

She added the list of stakeholders indicates to her that the government already has an idea of the SA国际影视传媒渄irectionSA国际影视传媒� it wants post-secondary education to go in.

McInnes said she feels the way the review and possible cuts to the social work program are being treated is an example of SA国际影视传媒渕en in positions of power making decisions about women.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e talked in person to both the premier and to the minister of finance and to my face they said, well they (social work students) can go south SA国际影视传媒� but theySA国际影视传媒檙e not telling heavy equipment operators they can go south for training,SA国际影视传媒� McInnes said.

In early March, Education, Culture and Employment Minister Alfred Moses announced a review would be undertaken to SA国际影视传媒渋nform the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 long-term visionSA国际影视传媒� for the college.

The announcement came after a public uproar against the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 plans to axe Aurora CollegeSA国际影视传媒檚 social work and teacher education programs due to GNWT budget cuts SA国际影视传媒� a decision that has been put on hold pending the completion of the review next March.

In the terms of reference for the review, the contractor is directed to gather input from groups ranging from aboriginal governments, friendship centres, students and staff, to the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, NWT Mine Training Society and the NWT and Nunavut Construction Association.

A letter dated July 12, 2017 shows the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada sought involvement in the review before the contract was awarded at a price of $412,620.

However, the education minister deflected the associationSA国际影视传媒檚 request in a letter response a month later.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Government of the Northwest Territories values the contribution that northern-trained social workers have made to people in the Northern communities,SA国际影视传媒� Moses wrote to the associationSA国际影视传媒檚 executive director, Lesley Carberry, in a letter dated Aug. 10.

He outlined the purpose of the foundational review before writing that Aurora College will be conducting its own review of the social work program.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you wish to provide input into the (Social Work Diploma) review, I recommend you contract Ms. Jane Arychuk, President (of Aurora College),SA国际影视传媒� writes Moses.

Diane Reed, vice-president of education and training at Aurora College, stated in an email that the collegeSA国际影视传媒檚 review of its social work program was already scheduled to take place before the foundational review was announced.

SA国际影视传媒淎urora College has a five-year program review schedule that sets out which programs are to be reviewed,SA国际影视传媒� said Reed. SA国际影视传媒淎urora College doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 publicly announce plans to undertake program reviews, as they are a regular part of College operations.SA国际影视传媒�

The schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 review of the program has not yet begun, but is expected to be complete next April, said Reed, who added it is unrelated to the foundational review.

After the letter exchange between the social work association and the education minister, McInnes said she went to her MLA, Bob McLeod, in September.

She requested he talk to the education minister about adding the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada as a stakeholder in the foundational review, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 hear from him until after session,SA国际影视传媒� said McInnes. SA国际影视传媒淗e said unfortunately the association wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be added as stakeholders, however SA国际影视传媒� the association can contact the contractor to offer input.SA国际影视传媒�

The terms of reference for the review state: SA国际影视传媒淎dditional stakeholder groups may be approved by the steering committee upon recommendation by the contractor.SA国际影视传媒�

McInnes then called MNP LLP, the Calgary-based firm awarded the contract for the foundational review of Aurora College, but she said no one was able to help her.

SA国际影视传媒淣ext thing, I get a phone call from (Education, Culture and Employment),SA国际影视传媒� said McInnes.

The department told her it would be creating an online survey to allow for broader public input into the foundational review, she said.

Yellowknifer was scheduled to interview a staff member at the education department about the online survey on Nov. 15.

However, at the time of the interview, Cherish Winsor, senior communications advisor at the department, called and said a phone interview would not be granted and a written statement would be provided to Yellowknifer instead.

Winsor stated via email an interview could not be granted because the GNWT feels SA国际影视传媒渁 written response is a more effective way to communicate.SA国际影视传媒�

She stated the education department will release an online survey through its website in December to give all NWT residents a chance to provide feedback on the foundational review of Aurora College.

When asked what prompted the survey, Winsor stated: SA国际影视传媒淚t was anticipated that a number of Northern residents and groups, beyond the stakeholders identified in the (terms of reference), would be interested in contributing.SA国际影视传媒�

She said a member of an association and one retired resident contacted the department about providing their input.

The department plans to notify people about the survey through SA国际影视传媒渟ocial media and written material,SA国际影视传媒� Winsor said.

McInnes said she feels it is imperative to train Northern social workers in the North, given the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 history, and would encourage people to participate in the online survey and talk to their MLAs.

SA国际影视传媒淟etSA国际影视传媒檚 overwhelm the system,SA国际影视传媒� said McInnes.

NOTE: Online story updated for clarity Nov. 23.