Nahanni National Park

One of Our Own: Community Relations Advisor, Valerie Gordon

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November 17, 2017

Minister Wally Schumann was presented this week with a commemorative photo of Grade 4 students from Yellowknife participating in the Mining Matters program; it was recognition of the support that Mining Matters has received from the GNWT’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

For Community Relations Advisor, Valerie Gordon, who coordinates the GNWT’s support and delivery of the program, the happy smiling faces are an affirmation of the program’s down to earth approach – and the importance of using creative demonstrations to facilitate an understanding of mining in today’s youth.

“I have a lot of respect for the Mining Matters Program,” Val says.  “I’ve never seen students so engaged.  Knowing that the geology and opportunity is in their backyards helps to make it relevant and interesting. It’s called Mining Matters, but the biggest focus is actually science and geology. A lot of effort has gone into designing the modules to make them fun, interesting and relevant. Our goal is to help students comprehend the mining cycle and why mining is important to their way of life in the NWT.”

In one of the more-popular Mining Matters activities, students learn about environmental permits, taxes, buying equipment and hiring employees before applying mining techniques to rainbow chip cookies.

Val’s creativity and practical teaching methods are a good fit for making the information understandable. It doesn’t hurt that she’s passionate about the program and excited to get everyone participating.

Val first discovered the Mining Matters program in 2016. As a Community Relations Advisor she worked with communities impacted by mineral exploration and junior exploration companies working in the North. The work inspired her to volunteer for the first tour of the program in her home region of the Sahtu. 

After seeing how much the students enjoyed themselves and helping to teach some of the modules, she was hooked. A second tour of the program took Val and Mining Matters representatives to Fort Simpson, Fort Liard and Fort Providence.  Yet again the outpouring of enthusiasm for the program amazed her and, as they were in the Sahtu, they were asked to come back again.

Val’s goal is to take Mining Matters to every school in the NWT.  “I would love to inspire students to further their education and return to the NWT to jobs in the mining and exploration sectors,” she says.  

With the energy and passion, she exudes for the program, it’s no wonder it has been such a success and is in such high demand.