Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Mar 15/02) - Denise Moore-Kurszewski's heroes are the women she remembers from growing up in East 3.

She was guest speaker last Friday night as about 150 women met at Inuvik's Ingamo Hall to pay homage to those who had gone before and each other with prayer, stories, songs and a sumptuous feast. March 8 is International Women's Day.

In 1908, on the last Sunday in February, women in the United States initiated the first Women's Day when large demonstrations took place calling for the vote and the political and economic rights of women. The following year, 2,000 people attended a Women's Day rally in Manhattan. In 1910 Women's Day was taken up by socialists and feminists throughout the US. Later that year, delegates went to the second International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen with the intention of proposing that Women's Day become an international event.

Women were encouraged to wear traditional dress from their countries of origin and many did. The evening began with prayers from women in North Slavey, Dutch, Gwich'in, Hindu and Inuktitut.

In her speech, Moore-Kurszewski recalled her early life in Inuvik and paid tribute to the women who influenced her life and gave her the strength and wisdom to pursue a Master's Degree at a southern university before returning to her hometown.

"I grew-up right across the street here in a five-twelve -- a two-bedroom house with a main room and a bathroom," Moore-Kurszewski recalled.

"Many women, like my mother, raised up to 10 or 12 children in their house."

They had no running water, vehicles or the simplest conveniences, she remembered, with her voice trembling.

"It kind of brings tears to my eyes when I think about it, because no one ever complained ... they were so happy."

She named a list of 51 women who've made an impact and influence on her life and later allowed the audience to add to her list.

"Those are women who I grew up with; they had amazing strength and courage to move here, without actually knowing that they had a place to live," she said. "A lot of them lived in tent frames down in Happy Valley."

She told how she gathered much of her wisdom from these women and they were part of the reason she'd returned to the North.

"I'm very honoured to be here...in fact, I'm very humbled to be here," she told the crowd, admitting she was more nervous addressing this audience than any she'd spoken to.

She spoke of a sometimes troubled childhood in residential school and an alcoholic environment, but harbours no bitter memories.

"I don't hold on to these things; I never considered myself to be poor or deprived -- I saw myself as someone with a responsibility to live my life the best way I knew."

"I was married for ... 150 years. Actually, I was married for 23 years and we separated four years ago; it was all his fault," she joked. "I can't say my marriage was a failure when I look at my two children and for the time it lasted, it was a good marriage."

Wonderful evening

Entertainment was provided by a diverse group, including Filipino singers Sue Gallupe and Leticia Byrch, a song from Shauna Roland, a performance from the female members of the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers and songs from Miki O'Kane and Colum McCready.

One of eight organizers for the event, Marja Van Nieuwenheyzen said the day was well-represented by Inuvik's women.

"It was a really good turnout with a really good cross-section of ladies from town," she said. "There was some nice clothing, some good entertainment and some good food."

"I really enjoyed myself."

While the meaning of the day represents something different for everyone, she says it's a great way for women to break from the everyday routine.

"It's the one day in the year when you see a whole bunch of women from all different cultures, from all different professions come all together for one evening and I think that's really wonderful," Van Nieuwenheyzen said. "In our work and lives sometimes we get caught up in our small circle of friends, but in an evening like this, it's just wonderful to see everybody pulling together."

Eliza Firth also helped staging the event. She echoed Van Niewenheyzen's enthusiasm for the evening. "It was wonderful; I really enjoyed myself," Firth said.