This study is an exploration of leadership practices that develop and sustain a professional learning community (PLC). More specifically, it explores teacher perceptions of these leadership practices in the context of a school district in Alberta, Canada. The study employed qualitative research in the form of interviews of sixteen teachers from one school district. Findings include description of teacher perceptions of leadership practices as they relate to shared and supportive leadership, shared values and vision, collective learning, supportive conditions, and shared personal practice. It is necessary to recognize the interrelated nature of structural supports along with cultural underpinnings to fully develop and sustain PLCs. Moreover, the findings highlight the influence of structures in supporting dimensions of collective learning and shared personal practice. The need for careful consideration of the power of school culture over the effective use of any structure is evident. Leaders’ continuous modelling and involvement are imperative to develop teacher capacity to embrace shared and supportive leadership, shared values and vision, collective learning, supportive conditions, and shared personal practice. Furthermore, the building of trust and celebration of teacher and student learning moulds a schools’ culture to one that reflects success in the various PLC dimensions. The study concludes by suggesting possible areas for further research in addition to demarcating suggestions for continued reflection within the field of leadership as it relates to developing and sustaining PLCs. / ix, 147 leaves ; 29 cm.

Snow accumulation in mountain headwater basins is vitally important to southern Alberta, where snowmelt supplies more than 80% of annual downstream runoff. This study evaluated two snow measurement techniques, and snow accumulation in southwestern Alberta. The SnowHydro sampler was compared with existing designs and observed to perform better under the forest canopy. A total station was evaluated for remotely measuring snow depth in avalanche terrain, but found to have accuracy limitations in low snow accumulation conditions. Field data were combined with indices of snow accumulation drivers to run classification and regression tree analysis (C&RT). Results quantified controls on accumulation over two years, and created spatial distributions of snow water equivalent across the watershed. Elevation was the dominant control between years, while canopy closure, slope angle, and aspect varied in importance between years and within seasons. Accurate representations of SWE suggest that C&RT could improve annual provincial water supply forecasts. / xiii, 171 leaves ; 29 cm

The public relations practices of the government of Alberta have elicited substantial controversy, particularly under the administration of Premier Klein. However existing analyses have been insufficiently comparative. This dissertation is a within-case comparison of the evolution of government public relations practices under the three Progressive Conservative administrations of Premiers Lougheed, Getty and Klein. The theoretical framework rejects democratic justifications for government public relations, but accepts an “administrative imperative” that recognizes the use of government public relations techniques to accomplish particular policy goals. At the same time, it recognizes that these practices are often linked to important transformations in the broader political economy. A model of incentives and opportunities of why politicians use public relations strategies to accomplish their goals is introduced to examine the particular evolution in the Alberta case. Premier Lougheed’s administration created a new public relations agency dedicated to improving the administrative efficiency of the government’s public relations function. It was marked by restrained forms of government advertising and a documented commitment to a distinct space for government public relations, insulated from the political demands of the elected level of government. Periodic television appearances by the premier appear to be the most aggressive forms of public relations activities. Premier Getty adopted this model, despite a substantially transformed political environment and despite documented advice to change his government’s practices. Premier Klein recognized this transformed political landscape and substantially reformed government public relations, increasing public opinion research, adopting manipulative and aggressive news management tactics, politicizing and centralizing the public relations staff and integrating the entire range of public relations techniques into regular politically contentious advertising campaigns. These reforms help to explain some of Premier Klein’s political and policy successes. The dissertation concludes with some of the deleterious consequences of extensive public relations practices by governments in Canada and some recommendations as to how to mitigate against those consequences. / Thesis (Ph.D, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2008-12-06 11:35:00.169

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This thesis explores self determination through the lens of Cree First Nation members located in northeastern Alberta, Canada. The researcher utilizes the talking circle to explore how Cree leaders define self determination. Four prominent themes; 1) identity and western influences 2) personal transformation 3) searching for nehiyaw pimatsowin and 4) commitment and responsibility evolve from the stories shared. Cree spirituality and the need to involve ‘self’ in ceremony proves to be the foundation upon which Cree self determination is founded. This thesis moves towards, “Learning Self Determination Through the Sacred Embedded Teachings and Responsibilities given to Cree Women by the Creator”. / Graduate

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The following thesis explores the development of oil and gas resources in the province of Alberta between 1971 and 1985. At its broadest, this thesis uses the interaction of government, capital, and citizenry surrounding the exploitation of a non-renewable energy resource to examine the social side of resource development. These three actors approached oil and gas resources with their own ideologies, tactics, and goals. The relationships, disagreements, and debates between and among these groups provide a glimpse into the social nature of resource development in Alberta. They illustrate competing understandings of resource development on the part of Alberta citizens, demonstrate cleavages between citizens and elected officials, and lay bare the politics of resource development in Alberta that marginalized, manipulated, and devalued the meaningful participation of its citizens.