Roger was in Calgary (1991), working as a commodity broker and training to become a Blackjack dealer, when he received a job offer to return to Janvier,Alberta where he, Kathy and their 3 girls had lived from 1968-69. At that time (23 years previous) Janvier had been chosen as an extremely isolated community where the Canadian Federal Government (Newstart Corporations) would conduct research to determine best practises to bring the local Metis and Treaty Indians into the Twentieth Century. That attempt is worthy of a book in its own right, which will be forthcoming. This time Roger took over the duties of the existing School Principal who resigned his position for fear of his life.
The following year Roger moved to the neighboring school at Conklin as a grade 5/6 teacher. Living on his own for two years, he had time to actively participate in community life as a member of the local volunteer Fire Department; develope a Boy Scouts Program; organize a Metis Dance Group; play a part in building a community recreation complex/sports ground; and read the books of Bandler and Grinder (NLP – Neuro Linguistic Programming); Wayne Dyer; and Warren Buffet. It was the time when Stephen Covey wrote “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and all his books were read by Roger more than once over the next 25 years. The marriage with Sharon was suffering from living apart and and ended amicably in 1993.
In 1994 Roger purchase a Academy of Learning franchise for the city of Regina in Saskatchewan and moved there with his new family of Dorothy, Tabitha, Kelly and Cletus Quintal in July of 1994. Business wise the number of adult computer training schools was expanded to 7 Academy of Learning schools and a Information Technology Training Centre in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia by 1999. With the children, Roger formed a performing Metis Dance group, that eventually played at a Grey Cup Halftime Show. On a personal side Tabitha, Kelly and Cletus were taking Ballroom Dancing lessons in Regina and Vancouver, and competed successfully in competitions in Western Canada, Las Vegas and Disney World. They were taking homeschooling and by the time they moved to Vancouver in 1997 the 3 children were performing at their age level in Vancouver schools.
It was at this time that Roger became involved with Lou and Diane Tice and “The Pacific Institute” of Seattle, Washington. He implemented their “Investment in Excellence Program” for all staff and made it a 3-day mandatory course for all students.Naomi Humbke became the facilitator and also ran a course for the children of the staff. This course had such excellent result in helping students in changing their attitudes, setting goals, and achieving success in life that the 140 Academy of Learnings across Canada were required to make it a compulsory course for all students.
VLUU L100, M100 / Samsung L100, M100
Roger went to the company’s annual convention in Seattle and took 12 members of staff with him in 1993. He considered money spent on training and especially personal development improved the company’s success and the individual lives of all.
Kathy was stricken with cancer and after a valiant battle succumbed to the disease on June 27, 1998. She faced death head-on, with great bravery, and orchestrated her own farewell party, including a coffin hand built by her daughter Nadean’s husband, Richard Langlois, All family member traced an outline of their hand on the coffin, with a felt marker, and wrote a personal note. As the coffin went down each individual released a helium balloon containing a note. Kathy was a nanny for her four precious grandchildren and she chose songs that they and the relatives could relate to. This was all followed by a Kentucky Fried Chicken party at the Fridhem cemetery celebrating Kathy’s life, which was later followed by a public church memorial service in Camrose, Alberta.
It became evident that Kathy had blossomed as an individual after our divorce in 1987. She had travelled to England, Ireland (to kiss the Blarney Stone), New Zealand and Australia. Kathy had gotten her Business Certificate from the Calgary Business College for Women (YWCA) in 1989 and Early Childhood Diploma in 1991. Later she became an advocate for women and got her dream job as a rural community worker in Camrose. It seemed to Roger, that Kathy had heard and most importantly, internalized the attitudes and skills of the top personal development experts she had been exposed to. She demonstrated a strong character and the persistence to achieve the goals she set for herself – all for the benefit of others. Her last performance review contained a quote “We always appreciated Kathy’s direct approach to problems and challenges, and her confidence in herself and those around her” that substantiates the benefit of exposure to positive personal development influences during her lifetime.
Meanwhile Roger, Dorothy and kids moved from Vancouver to North Battleford where there was a break up due to unresolvable differences. This was followed by an audit by Revenue Canada and the seizing of all bank accounts in Canada. With no money to operate in Canada, all operations were wound down or liquidated and Roger moved to China for the next 12 years. TO BE CONTINUED… in CHINA.
DOES PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WORK? (Part 4 of 6 – 1990’s) Roger was in Calgary (1991), working as a commodity broker and training to become a Blackjack dealer, when he received a job offer to return to Janvier,Alberta where he, Kathy and their 3 girls had lived from 1968-69.
