by Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 11/98) - Despite recognition from the NWT Status of Women Council, the winner of this year's wise women award for the North and South Slave regions humbly declined.

"Wisdom comes from God," Arlene Hache, the executive director of the Yellowknife Women's Centre, told a packed legislature lobby crowd.

"When I listen to him, that's when I shine. When I think that I'm much wiser, that's when I don't shine."

Hache said she wanted to give credit to the role God has played in her life, while sharing her award with all NWT women.

"I'm requesting the NWT legislature to hang it so leaders now and in the future can realize women and children are not equal yet," she told assembled guests for the International Women's Day luncheon

In return, they roared with applause, and jumped to their feet.

"I really appreciated the fact when handed a moment of glory, Arlene thought to share it with all the other women," said Aline LaFlamme, who organizes the annual Montreal massacre vigil in Yellowknife. "That's typical of her."

Further, LaFlamme said she was impressed with how Hache turned her attention to single mothers who live on paltry income-assistance payments.

"She focused on the difficulties women face in the territories so I'm happy she remembered each and every one of them."

Hache explained she will request the award be hung in the legislature. "I'm having it reframed so it is clearly a dedication to all women," she said.

Legislature facilities manager John Anderson said Hache's first step is to write to Speaker Sam Gargan to express her desire, and include the plaque.

Then the legislative assembly's management and services committee will vote on the addition. If they accept the proposed, it will hang on the trophy wall by the coffee shop.

Wise women were selected for dedication and commitment to their community, benefits they have brought to either women or their community and the extent to which they have served as good role models for other women.

Hache was instrumental in establishing the Yellowknife Women's Centre, which she has run for the past seven years.

But Hache said she is anything but infallible.

"No one knows me like I know me," she said. "There are times when I am wise and I do things good for people. But there are times where I do things that aren't so good for people, so I don't want to be seen in a false light."

Rhoda Karetak from Rankin Inlet and Joanne McKinnon from Aklavik were both on hand to accept their awards. The fourth wise woman, Baffin region winner Martha Koonoo, will receive her's in Pond Inlet.