Hay River Reserve (Jun 26/06) - The ceremonial room at the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre was renamed The Anne Buggins Room to honour the well-respected K'atlodeeche elder who died in 2004.

In an emotional ceremony, Buggins' family and other members of the community gathered June 21 for the dedication.

Among those on hand for the dedication of The Anne Buggins Room at the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre were family members, front, left to right, Verna Buggins, Eduardo Lau-a Jr., Tristan Graham, Brandy Buggins and Solomon Smallgeese; and back, left to right, Lillian Lau-a, Randy Buggins, Jeanna Graham, Grace Graham and Pat Buggins; along with Hay River artist Rosalee Prentice, who painted this portrait. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

After the treatment centre opened in 1992, Buggins, who never used alcohol in her life, would often speak in the ceremonial room to the people fighting their addictions.

K'atlodeeche First Nation Chief Roy Fabian, who was once executive director of the centre, recalled often sitting in the room and translating Buggins' words from South Slavey.

She shared her life with people in the room so they could understand how to live life as a traditional Dene, Fabian said. "This is what this room is supposed to represent."

The chief called Buggins the epitome of a Dene person, someone who cared deeply about others and the land.

On a personal note, Fabian recalled that, when his own mother passed away, Buggins comforted him by saying he would never be motherless. "She was my mother during that whole time."

Many members of Buggins' family were on hand for the dedication ceremony.

Although she had none of her own, she raised seven children, including four left motherless after her sister died.

Lillian Lau-a, who was raised by Buggins, said the dedication was an emotional and happy day for the family.

The centrepiece of the room is now an oil painting of Buggins by Hay River artist Rosalee Prentice.

"It's great. It's beautiful," Lau-a said of the painting. "I just want to reach out and kiss her."

Buggins, who was 88 when she passed away, also helped guide her family and the whole community, Lau-a said. "No matter what happened, she was there for us."