Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 15/99) - The Status of Women Council of the NWT has once again chosen four Northern wise women, from among many, to be honoured for their dedication and commitment to their communities.

Role models all, these women set the standard for the rest of us.

Awards ceremonies were held for the Western Arctic, in Yellowknife, March 11-13, while in the East, ceremonies will take place in Rankin Inlet March 19-21.

Angeline Qilluq Simiq of Chesterfield Inlet has been a teacher for 26 years. A mother of nine, she has had seven children of her own and has adopted two. There are also seven grandchildren. Angeline provides for her husband, a full-time hunter, all that he needs -- hunting clothes, food supplies and equipment.

Her daughter Lillian says that her mother has made a big difference in her life.

"She taught me that you could be a working mother and a good homemaker at the same time."

Qamaniq G. Sangoya from Pond Inlet, a mother and a grandmother, is another extraordinary model. Now 66, she has helped women birth their babies, helped dying people, helped children without parents and children with parents who had to travel.

As with the other three women, Qamaniq is tirelessly devoted to those who are need of her help and advice.

Sister Celeste Goulet of Tulita -- another rare and giving woman -- started the Tulita preschool in 1981 and helped start the drop-in centre in 1983. She has served the community on a volunteer basis since arriving in Tulita in '79.

Sister Celeste counsels women, girls, men and boys, whoever requires her assistance. She is a safe place away from troubles, and a helpful hand wherever there is a need. All that Sister Celeste does is volunteer, as she receives maintenance support from her order.

Finally, Jan Stirling, of Yellowknife, rounds off the wise women of '99. Jan worked as a nurse-in-charge of the Public Health Clinic in the capital between 1972 and 1997. Her approach was holistic, taking care of the whole person -- mind, body and soul. While doing so, she raised her three children on her own, after her husband died just three years after moving to Yellowknife in 1974.

Hats off to these four women, and the many others who were nominated. They exemplify the spirit of selfless caring, giving and cherishing.