Diavik Completes Second Aboriginal Leadership Program

Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (DDMI) completed Diavik’s second Aboriginal Leadership Development Program.

Designed and delivered by SAIT Polytechnic in collaboration with Diavik, the program is aimed at preparing Aboriginal employees of both DDMI and its contractors to take on increasing work responsibilities. Over half of the Diavik workforce is employed by Aboriginal firms who, together with DDMI, are helping increase employment and business capacity in the Aboriginal community.

The leadership program comprises eight modules that addressed 16 leadership competencies, and includes over 160 hours of leadership training, augmented with mentoring from Diavik staff. Course content is built around SAIT’s Applied Management Certificate Program, but is customized to take into account Diavik’s 24-hour, 365-day mining operation and the varying work schedules of its workers.

The 11 graduates are: Stella Johnson with Ekati Services, Sheila Warren and Dolphus Nitsiza with I&D Management, Len Tuckey Jr. with SecureCheck, Ian Erasmus and Arny Steinwand with Tli Cho Logistics, and Seth Bohnet, Ray Eskelson, Brian Mitchell, Kerry Rabesca, and John Wifladt with DDMI.

 “Anything worthwhile takes time to develop and so the course went from April till December. We were given very demanding homework. You were constantly challenged to look within yourself and be honest with yourself. Not so easy to do – that’s when we really start to learn,” said graduate Brian Mitchell.

Diavik employs over 700 workers, the majority of whom are northern residents. Approximately half of the northern workforce is Aboriginal.

The Diavik Diamond Mine, located 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is an unincorporated joint venture between DDMI (60%) and Aber Diamond Limited Partnership (40%). Both companies are headquartered in Yellowknife, Canada. DDMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto.