SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Although she's left her position at the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation, Linda Bussey said it doesn't mean she'll be out of the picture for good.

Linda Bussey is leaving her position as executive director of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation after nine years. She said although she's moving on to a new career, the foundation won't be able to get rid of her as a volunteer. - Nicole Veerman/NNSL photo

"They can't get rid of me," she said with a laugh. "But now they're allowed to tell me to go away."

Bussey was the executive director of the foundation for nearly nine years. Her last day was April 15.

Although she loved her job, she said it's time for someone new to shake things up.

"It needs a new pair of eyes. It needs new energy. I'm getting a little bit old," she said with a laugh.

When she was hired for the position in 2002, Bussey said she was attracted to the foundation because it allowed her to see a project through from start to finish. It also allowed her to make positive changes in the community.

The Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization that raises money for programs and equipment for the hospital. Since the foundation's inception in 1997, it has donated, among other things, a CT scanning machine, two ultrasound units, a mammography machine – which will arrive at the hospital this spring – and a bone densitometer.

"I'm always amazed by the support of this community," Bussey said, reflecting on what the foundation has accomplished.

Bussey is now the manager of allied health recruitment for the GNWT – a move that, although exciting, was hard to make.

"When I decided to leave and I went for an interview for a new job, I became very emotional," she said. "I love my job (at the foundation)."

She said she especially loved pushing people out of their comfort zone with last year's Images for Strength and Hope fundraiser. Women of all ages, shapes and backgrounds strutted their stuff on a catwalk at the Explorer Hotel wearing bras made by local artists.

When the idea came together, with the help of her friend Mickey Brown, Bussey said women were pretty hesitant.

"Everybody said 'No' to me at the beginning," she said through laughter. "Everybody looked at me with big eyes."

Despite the first reaction, Bussey managed to get more than 30 women together to model the bras that were made of anything from stained glass to caribou hide.

"I'm just amazed by what people can do if you allow them to be who they are," she said thinking back on the event.

Playing off the success of the fundraiser, the foundation is holding one for men in June, titled Protecting the Jewels of the North.

Bussey said although she's no longer the foundation's executive director, she couldn't tear herself away from the organization until she saw this fundraiser, which showcases 34 men in boxers made by local artists, through to the end.

"When I left, I still wanted to continue to spearhead this project because ... it's my little baby," she said.

There are two women taking over Bussey's position. Rebecca Alty, the former press secretary for the premier's office, will be the executive director, while Barbara Kardash will be the associate executive director.

Alty, who has designed two pairs of boxers for the June fundraiser and modelled in last year's bra show, said she's excited to take on the new challenge.

"I have a long to-do list," she said, adding that she hopes to reach out to the territory using social media.

"If we can use the Internet to get the message out to everybody in North, it's cheaper than flying to every community.

"The focus has really been on Yellowknife, raising funds in Yellowknife, but it is a territorial hospital so we should be looking to get people to participate throughout the territory."

Alty will start her new position May 2.

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