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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Arlene Hache will never forget where she came from.

"When I came to Yellowknife as a young woman in 1974 I was homeless," Hache said. "I couldn't hold a job more than three months. I came here running away from a situation of family violence in my childhood home."

Arlene Hache was appointed to the Order of Canada yesterday by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean for her work in helping families, women and the poor, particularly through her involvement with the Centre for Northern Families. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

Some 34 years later, Hache has been named a member to the Order of Canada for her contribution to improving the quality of life of Northerners. She was honoured yesterday by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean for her work with the Centre for Northern Families, established in 1990. At that time, the centre had little to no funding and was not recognized by the government for any social program funding.

"We had a little bit of project funding, but we didn't really have all that much," she said.

For almost five years Hache worked as a full-time volunteer at the family support centre before it received any substantial funding from the government. A shy person by nature, Hache said she seeking funding for the centre was a daunting task.

"We just had to do it no matter what," she said. "Most of the time when I step out, it's really very scary for me. It might not appear that way to other people but most of what I experience is fear, but stepping out is just something that has to be done. My husband supported me through those years and I am grateful for that."

Hache said she was surprised when she given notice of the honour yesterday.

"The things that went through my head when I found out was the contributions everybody made," she said. "This means my family and the sacrifices they made over the years and all the significant people and women who contributed to my growth.

"It was this community and people from the North who embraced me and we grew together trying to recover from the oppression and violence that we had experienced."

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said Hache's contribution to the citizens of Yellowknife and the people who face challenges in their lives is incredible.

"She's consistently been an advocate for people who are facing many different types of challenges," he said. "She's a champion to those people who need champions in their lives. She's a very dedicated person."

Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro said Hache has long been a stalwart of social issues, particularly for women.

"She has a vision to try and advance the provision of services for people who are most at risk," she said. "She's pushes issues that nobody else will push. She has taken the cause of people and pushed it so the public has become aware of it and forced people to do something about providing services for those who are in a bad way.

"She's caring, committed and she just never stops, she's been a constant presence in that arena."

A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Hache said she couldn't have gotten where she is today without the help and support of the people in her life.

"For that kind of award, you never win it alone," she said. "You win it because you have people around you that support you and have suffered along with you, like my family, who I wasn't there for all the time. My children and husband are just amazing people."

Hache said the strength and dedication of the board representing the Centre for Northern Families has been a crucial pillar in the foundation of their vision and goal.

"I'm proud to say the board has always put the families we serve first," she said. "Our board has always put the welfare of people first and I try to do the very same thing.

Her ability to put aside personal challenges and struggles has helped her be a guiding hand - giving opportunity and hope to those who need it.

"I always try to remember I'm not separate from them," said Hache. "I try never to forget what I was in.

"We all have our dark and not more pleasant side. As we look toward helping others and toward the needs of others, we can be lifted out of all of that."

Hache said she hasn't received notice yet of when she'll be formerly inducted into the Order of Canada.

Other NWT residents named as Order of Canada recipients this week are former premier Nellie Cournoyea and Fred Carmichael, former president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.