'Heart-and-soul volunteer'
NWT residents recognized for community involvement
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Monday, May 25, 2015
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Marilyn Napier has long nurtured a habit to volunteer.
It started when she was a teen and after decades of hard work the GNWT is recognizing the Fort Smith resident for her tireless efforts with the outstanding individual award.
"She's always been a heart-and-soul volunteer," said Marine Devine, who nominated Napier for the honour.
Florence Barnaby, left, Greta Sittichinli and Sandra Ipana display the outstanding volunteer awards presented to them by Health Minister Glen Abernethy on behalf of the NWT Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. - photo courtesy of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs |
"She's undertaken a lot of responsibilities and basically whenever she sees an opportunity to do something good for the community she takes it. She's a heck of a role model. Starting as young as she did and then continuing throughout her life."
At 17-years old Napier and two high school friends from Akaitcho Hall formed a recreation committee in Rae-Edzo, now Behchoko.
They figured there wasn't going to be much happening over summer break and they should plan some entertainment to liven up the community.
They ran various sporting games and swim events and brought elders out to watch.
"That's where it started and never quit," said Napier of her love for volunteering.
"There's something in me that tells me stuff needs to be done and if you can't get someone to do it then I do it. It's in my body."
Napier is best known for her work with the Native Women's Association of the NWT.
She served as president from 1992 to 1997 and was voted in again in 2011 through a by-election, which was held following a non-confidence motion against the previous president.
Napier wanted to return to the position, she said, to help the association get back on track.
Having moved to a number of places over the years, Napier has had an impact throughout the NWT, adds Devine.
She's served on the Status of Women's Council of the NWT, Fort Simpson village council, Metis Nation
local 52, Fort Smith Metis Council as well as Fort Smith's district education authority.
She was also equity vice president for the Union of Northern Workers and despite being retired she sits on the newly started National Native Women's Association Fund.
The board is the economic arm of the Native Women's Association and helps out small boards or groups who need funds to get going.
"Volunteering was my life and I enjoyed doing it. I never expected anything for it because I knew some groups always needed a hand in starting up and becoming successful," said Napier, adding she's honoured to be among this year's recipients of the outstanding volunteer awards, presented by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).
Florence Barnaby of
Fort Good Hope was named outstanding elder, while Renee Ekendia received the youth award and Inuvik's Muskrat Jamboree Committee was presented the group award.
Ekenida said
she was shocked and
excited by the news.
"I knew that I was nominated but didn't expect to win," she said, adding her family is proud.
"(They were) probably happier than I was."
The Grade 12 student and Behchoko resident got her start volunteering when her father served as youth recreation co-ordinator and she decided to help him out.
"From that ... it became a big thing for me to volunteer everywhere."
She's assisted with Dene games in Fort Smith and Yellowknife, numerous school and community events and has coached soccer and volleyball for about two years.
She also acts as a chaperon on team trips.
She's up for anything, said Colinda Blondin, who nominated Ekendia and is MACA's youth programs and volunteer officer for the region.
"If we had to pay everybody to help us out, which is sometimes the case, then we just really run out money and resources to put on events," she said.
"If we had to pay a chaperone to bring a youth team to a sporting event down south or down into the southern communities then it just becomes too expensive to send youth out. It's a huge impact that she has."
The award came with a $500 cheque and Ekendia chose to donate the full amount to Chief Jimmy Bruneau School's sports program for new team jerseys to be purchased since the current ones are more than a decade old, she said.
"You can just see right there how she's so invested in her community and helping with sports," said Blondin.
