Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 17/03) - Seniors and elders across the Northwest Territories had a chance to voice their concerns at a recent forum in the capital.

"I thought it was a very successful workshop. It gives elders a chance to voice their concerns," said NWT Seniors' Society president Beatrice Campbell, from Fort Smith. It was the first-ever NWT Seniors' Forum.

"I was so happy with the forum because there were representatives from every community in the North."

About 60 elders and government officials took part in the event March 4-5.

The forum is part of a promise by the GNWT to meet with representatives from across the territory every four years. The forum is one of many initiatives that came out of a 2002-2003 Seniors Action Plan.

The review, which aims to improve seniors programs, was released last June. The 28 recommendations that came out of the review are the joint responsibility of the GNWT and the NWT Senior's Society.

Hot topics at the forum included respect for elders, seniors policies, living wills and power of attorney and the extended health benefits program.

Overall seniors were satisfied with the action plan and what's been accomplished, said Campbell.

"I really feel we are really looked after in the GNWT."

"In comparison with the rest of Canada we are very well off as seniors," agreed Lloyd Brunes, the Hay River representative and the NWT representative on the National Advisory Council for Aging.