Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 28/02) - The NWT Native Women's Association has a new president and vice-president who hope to raise the organization's profile and take a strong stand on social issues.

President Gina Dolphus, from Deline, started advocating for her community in 1980 when she joined Deline's education council. Later, she moved into the political arena, eventually becoming the first woman in Deline to become mayor and sub-chief.

Her mission for the next two years is to seek funding for existing and new programs. The association receives roughly $180,000 from the territorial and federal governments to operate three main programs: a literacy training school, victim services program and human resources counselling.

But it's not enough, she said.

With more funding, she'd like to see the organization form an umbrella society to support aboriginal women health counsellors.

"A lot of social problems happen in the communities," she said. "But sometimes we only react when it's too late."

Dolphus also wants the organization to forge partnerships with the private sector and form closer ties with other women's groups, including the NWT Status of Women.

Noeline Villebrun runs her own consulting business in Fort Resolution and is the Native Women's new vice-president.

She said part of the organization's mandate is to take a closer look at what aboriginal women throughout the territory are lacking.

Sometimes little changes can make a big difference.

For example, the alcohol and drug counselling service in Fort Resolution is located in the community complex. But some women are reluctant to seek help in such a public place, she said.

The association's secretary and treasurer, Annie Goose, who is also a drug and alcohol counsellor, explains it this way. "You walk into a complex where people are busy, have jobs and are wearing suits or whatever. And here you are, needing help..."

Goose, who is entering her second term as secretary/treasurer, said women need a safe, welcoming place to go. "My community (Holman) has a community wellness centre, and slowly people are starting to come."