Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 21, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - In front of a packed house, Yellowknife's 23 MLA candidates took on all questions Wednesday.

More than 100 persons piled into Northern United Place for a forum co-sponsored by the Centre for Northern Families and the Native Women's Association of the NWT.

Denyse Nadon-Holder asks a question on behalf of the Native Women's Association of the NWT. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

The forum was the second test for MLA candidates, as NGOs, advocacy groups and citizens put them on the hot seat on women's issues ranging from spousal abuse to equal access to the workforce.

"These folks and their families have committed time and effort in this election, and that's not an easy task," said moderator Lydia Bardak in her opening remarks. "They're not pointing fingers, they're lending a hand."

In a break from the format of the previous forum, all 23 candidates were given the opportunity to make a one-minute statement.

"If it weren't for women, none of us would be here," said Kam Lake candidate Brad Enge. "That's where respect for women starts."

Weledeh candidate Carol Morin said, as an aboriginal woman in the television industry, she has fought hard against discrimination.

"'No one wants to see you on TV, because you're an Indian,'" she said, quoting her detractors in the late 1970s. "'You can't make it in the industry because you're a woman.'"

Morin is on leave from his job as the host of CBC's Northbeat.

Questions came from several organizations and from the floor. This time around, questioners were allowed to choose who would answer, and all candidates were given the opportunity to answer at least one.

One query was aimed at Great Slave candidate Mark Bogan, referencing the high rate of violence against women in the NWT.

"What are the barriers to getting out of (abusive relationships) and what are you going to do to reduce those barriers?" asked Karen Willy.

Bogan said that domestic violence goes both ways, referencing recent Yellowknifer articles.

"The Family Protection Act, on the whole, seems to be (sufficient)," he said.

Another question came from would-be MLA candidate Noeline Villebrun. Villebrun is in a dispute with Elections NWT for disqualifying her paperwork.

Villebrun asked Robert Hawkins if he understood the history of the Akaitcho Treaty and the impact that it had on First Nations women.

When Hawkins answered that he wasn't familiar with the treaty, Villebrun interrupted him to ask the question again.

"I've always been willing to sit down and listen," Hawkins said in response. "Anytime you want to deal with this, let me know."

"There are leaders like myself who can help you educate yourself," Villebrun said after the question, addressing all candidates into the mike.

"It takes 10, 15, 20 years to reverse decisions you make."

Afterwards, she said the question was important to draw attention to aboriginal issues in Yellowknife.

"The majority of people that are homeless, that are oppressed, are Dene people, especially in this area," she said.

Denyse Nadon-Holder, executive director with the Native Women's Association of the NWT, said she was pleased to see so many candidates and citizens take interest in social issues.

"We're not here to ask these people to solve our problems," she said. "When they are successful, we hope they remember the social side."

"We need to find a balanced approach."