RECAP: Winter is Coming – All Staff Holiday Party
On Friday, December 17, 2021 laughter was shared and the holiday spirit was strong at the Tikinagan “Winter is Coming” All Staff Christmas Party. With close to 100 staff in attendance at this online event, it was a great end to the 2021 year.
The event kicked off with the drawing for the first door prize. Roxanne Papassay, Direct Service Supervisor in Lac Seul, was the lucky winner of the Oculus VR Headset. After the voting contests were complete, the second door prize was drawn. Lucky winner Thunder Bay’s Raven Beardy from the Information Systems team will be receiving a smart watch.
Opening prayers blessed the event thanks to Tyrone Trapper, Intake worker in Thunder Bay, followed by a creative Winter in Coming trailer ad by the Communications Team, and due to technical difficulties, the soundtrack was provided by Marc Nicholas.
A Christmas Story with Executive Director Thelma Morris
Although she couldn’t make it in person, our Executive Director Thelma Morris shared a holiday message with attendees, as seen below.
A Gift to Staff
Associate Executive Director Rachel Tinney spoke about Christmas, family, and the spirit of the season. She reminded us to think about those whose families are limited when planning our holiday visits. Rachel then discussed staff bonuses as well as a beautiful gift from Tikinagan to staff – a beautiful ornament to remind us about our year-long hard work and effort in our communities to support our children and families.
Service Recognition
Staff who have been with Tikinagan for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years were celebrated. “Thanks for the hard work, dedication, and years of service!” said Human Resources Manager Sarah Morin to the staff being honoured.
2020 Milestones
5 Years
Laila Aho
Norah Beardy
Stella Brown
Leeanne Capay
Laura Haney
Desiree Hollingsworth
Caroline Ignace Spade
Evangeline Kanakakeesic
Delilah Keewaykapow
Moses McKay
Theresa McKay
Kathryn Morris
Roxanne Papassay
Janine Smale
Justin Suggashie
Robert Thomas
10 Years
Ruth Beardy
Kayla Beck
Lee-Anne Besselt
Armand Binguis
Floyd Chisel
Jesilyn Daniels
Heather Gillespie
Sandra Gray
Amy Hardy
Aaron Kakegumick
Beatrice Kakepetum
Michelle Lobreau
Phyllis Marie McKay
Sarah Morin
Rodney Rae
Nancy Sakchekapo
Steven Somers
Amanda Tait
Amanda Trenchard
Angela Williams
Christina Zatorsky
15 Years
Teresa Angeconeb
Annie Anishinabie
Roy Beardy
Nora Chisel
Dawn Gardhouse
Marion Kenny
Robert Meawasige
Ellen Meekis
Edna Quequish
Rachel Tinney
Emily Van Voris
Toni Vincent
20 years
William J. Davis
Randy Fukushima
Frances Grieg
Deanna Mitchell
Anne Morgan
Christine Stever
Harry Suganaqueb
30 Years
Marie Hudson
2021 Milestones
5 Years
Stefanie Adams
Donna Atlookan
Monica Boland
Stephanie Bunting
Severt Chisel
Jarrett Dewey
Janine Gardener
Sarah Keno
Robert Labelle
Alana Lobreau
Glenda Mathews
Phyllis McKay
Tiffany McKay
Tina Quequish
Bettina Rodriguez
Desmond Singleton
Rebecca Suggashie
Florence Veilleux
10 Years
Christina Beardy
James Benson
Jennifer Cromarty
Allen Feeney
Jason Firminger
Amanda Kakekaspan
Butch Magashazi
Kimberly Mason
Maria Mekanak
Jemimah Missewace
Linda Nevins
Leah Quequish
Scott Whatley
Kelly Wilson
15 Years
Cecilia Anderson
Jessie Beaver
Kathleen McKay
Marilyn Shewaybick
Kathleen Thomas
20 Years
Victoria Carpenter
Mary Mamakwa
30 Years
Marlene Boos
Joseph Cantin
Voting Contests
Staff then dashed into some fun voting for the several photo and video contests that were held. Here is a full recap of the winners:
Unit/Office Challenge
Weagamow Lake’s office won this challenge, reminding us that Santa definitely checks if we are naughty or nice, even in the office.
Workspace Decoration Contest
Training Unit’s Randy Moskotaywenene’s festive home office setup left us feeling the spirit of Christmas and taking the win for the Workspace Decoration Contest with 45% of the votes.
Best Photo Contest
Training Clerk Jessica Assistant beat out 23 entries with her sled dog with 34% of the votes.
Natalia Buentello Olvera, Child Care Worker in Thunder Bay, shared her festive family.
With his great photoshop skills, IT Department’s Gord definitely brought this humour to his winning entry. With 34% of the votes, Gord won Funniest Christmas Photo.
For the Kids
This winner had us hungry for gingerbread! Kenora’s Stephanie Adam’s children took the win with 85% of the votes.
June McNally, Red Lake DSS, left us humming Def Leopard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” taking 50% of the votes.
Weagamow’s Nancy Sakchekapo’s child with 52% of the votes.
Staff Coffee House
Our Staff Coffee House was focused on the funny with eight performers all bringing us some Christmas jokes. Thank you to the following performers:
- Deanna Prince, Info Systems Sioux Lookout
- Tcakejik (Jack) Morales, Residential Care worker Sioux Lookout
- Raul(Rico) Morales-Morales, DSS Sioux Lookout
- Derek Donio, Trainer Sioux Lookout
- Pearl Helton, Residential Care Worker Thunder Bay
- Tanya Fenton, FSW Thunder Bay
- Rachel Tinney, Associate Executive Director
- Sierra Hutton, CCW Red Lake
- Michelle Lobreau, DSS Sioux Lookout
- Emily Thompson, CCW Thunder Bay
Christmas Bake Off
With 35% of the votes, Alexandra Backa, Training Assistant, won the Christmas Bake Off with her beautiful Gingerbread House.
Best and Worst Dressed
Best Dressed
Tyrone Trapper brought the spirit with his holly jolly Christmas suit and 76% of the votes.
Worst Dressed
Natalia Buentello Olvera showed us that just because you’re dressed the worst (in the best way) doesn’t mean you can’t still be fun with her Tic-Tac-Mistletoe Christmas sweater. She won Worst Dressed with 40% of the votes.
Thank You for Coming!
The party finished with a closing prayer by Natalia Buentello Olvera. Thank you to all those who could make the party. To all our staff, have a safe and Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.