Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jan 15/01) - Born at Agu Bay, between Arctic Bay and Iglulik, Rebecca Williams has returned to her roots in the High Arctic to become the second female MLA in Nunavut. New to the title of politician but not new to the game of politics, Williams has a calm and sincere demeanour.
News/North: Why did you run for MLA in the Quttiktuq region?
Rebecca Williams: Because I worked for the federal government and the territorial government since 1972. I'm aware of what is going on the community and also I would like to be able to contribute.
N/N: What kind of issues are you aware of in communities in the High Arctic?
RW: First of all, when the Government of Nunavut was formed there were to be 11 communities that were decentralized that were to get jobs and an infrastructure to do so.
The communities that I will be representing, Quttiktuq communities, did not get decentralized infrastructure. The small communities like Arctic Bay and Grise Fiord did not get anything. That's what I would like to work on; to make sure those communities get the government jobs because they are just as much communities as the decentralized communities.
Another thing is to make sure communities are getting very good support and help from the government as far as social issues. We all know the suicide rate is very, very high. I know we've started to work but we need to continue to ensure that communities and families are taking responsibility so they can feel good about what they are doing.
If a person is more healthy they can look after their housing, animals and children better.
I think the unhealthy kind of life comes from very fast change. Government has taken a lot of responsibilities, not intentionally. They were trying to help and support to the point that they took away the responsibility of parenting. Social workers came and nurses came and rather than learning what the community systems were they put in their own. I think communities should be given more responsibility.
N/N: What does it mean for you being one of the first women MLAs in Nunavut?
RW: I'm very much Inuk. I lived in small communities and if there was a public meeting there were more women there. Health centres were run by women, more and more schools are run by women. I don't divide things between men and women. Both have a role to play. There is a lot of representation by women. I know that I'm not the type of person who should say women should do all these things. To me we are very equal, men do one thing and women do another thing and it becomes bigger and it becomes very wonderful.
Legislature could be done by anybody. Working in the government is not a man or woman's role, it is both.
N/N: How do you juggle family and career?
RW: My family comes first. My family is very important to me and if my home is balanced then I can do my work better outside. Whatever is happening in my family is first. If I go outside of my house do to something, if I know that my family supports me I can do a lot better.
N/N: Explain a little about your family.
RW: I've been married for 25 years. My husband's name is Glenn and he is a wildlife advisor for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI). I have three children. The oldest, Ben, is a police officer and he is 21. My daughter May is 15 and she goes to school here and my little guy, Virgil, is nine and in Grade 4.
N/N: Do you see yourself as a role model and if so for whom?
RW: I haven't really thought about it. I think that if you put your mind to something you can do it. When I was campaigning I advised the young people that if they wanted to be in a political position that they do it when they are 30- or 35-years-old, that they experience other work and life first.
It is significant to me that I do not drink and I do not do drugs. Drinking and doing drugs is not in Inuktitut. It wasn't there before, therefore we should not do it and it has no place in our lives.
N/N: When did being in public office become your goal?
RW: Within the last five years it has been sort of evolving. I have done some work taking part in federal negotiations and I was in the High Arctic communities when I was in social work and the people were always very nice to me and this is maybe a way of helping them back.
N/N: When were you in social work?
RW: I was in social work from 1982 to 1984. I was based in Arctic Bay but I travelled throughout other Baffin communities.
N/N: What kind of work did you do up until this point?
RW: I was a nurse for 10 years and a social worker for about 14 years. Then I went into community justice. My title was community justice specialist and I helped to establish community justice committees in eight communities on Baffin Island until I became a director of justice in the office of the interim commissioner when that organization was implementing the government.
Jack Anawak was appointed by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs minister to put the government together and I was at the right place at the right time to get into his office to work on the justice issues where I helped organize...Nunavut court systems. I was the deputy minister of justice when the Nunavut government was formed.
N/N: If you were to take on a cabinet position which would you be interested in?
RW: Oh, I don't know if I should say... I'd be very interested in taking health or justice.
N/N: What do you intend to do first in your riding?
RW: I would like to travel to all three communities, four communities including Nanisivik Mine, to see what their priorities are. I would probably begin with the mayors to find out where they are and what they are expecting me, the MLA, to do. I think that's the best way.
N/N: How would you describe yourself as a person outside of being a politician?
RW: It has always been important to me that we all should respect each other and also understand other people. Different people have different views that can be very useful Your way is not the only way. There are other views, too.
