Fort Franklin (June 09/03) - Gina Dolphus is a very busy woman. She has been the president of the NWT Native Women's Association (NWA) for less than a year and already has another title to add to her resume.

Dolphus has just been appointed as vice-president of the Native Women's Association of Canada.

At a recent board meeting for the national NWA, she was the only person nominated for vice-president. The North region, which includes the Yukon and Labrador, nominated her.

As vice-president, Dolphus hopes to represent all women, not just those in the North.

"I want to advocate for aboriginal women culturally, economically, socially, politically and spiritually," Dolphus said.

She is looking forward to working with NWA president Terri Brown and other representatives from across Canada.

She will fill the position for two years, unless someone else wants to run for vice-president next year.

Meanwhile, Dolphus will continue her role as president of the NWT chapter.

For the past year the Northern NWA has been busy re-organizing their association.

They met with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to create two new positions. One position will help women in business and the second will focus on the well-being of women.

"We've been working really fast, almost too fast," said Dolphus. "We do the best we can with limited resources and funding."

Dolphus plans to finish the goals she set for herself by the end of her two-year term. These goals include getting more funding and developing closer ties to other women's associations.

Dolphus has worked long and hard in order to become a business woman and a woman in leadership.

"Coming from a small, isolated community to be where I am today, it took me over 20 years."

Dolphus has a home in Deline with her husband of 33 years. She has five children and is the proud grandmother of seven.

She also has the chance to make a difference in women's lives.

"I want to create a better place to live for future generations of women of all families," Dolphus said.