Meet the new commissioner
Margaret Thom of Fort Providence takes over position that sat vacant for 13 months
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, June 16, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
After 13 months, the Northwest Territories finally has a new commissioner.
Fort Providence resident Margaret Thom has been named the new commissioner of the NWT. Born and raised in Fort Providence, Thom is a career educator and counsellor. - NNSL file photo |
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office officially announced Margaret Thom of Fort Providence to the position in a news release on Wednesday.
In a phone interview with Yellowknifer yesterday, Thom, 66, said she is both excited and honoured to be named to the position. She said she found out about the appointment in a phone call from Governor General David Johnston a few days ago but was sworn to secrecy until it was officially announced.
"That was very hard to do," she said. "It's not every day that you get as call from the governor general. It was a bit of a shock; also a great honour. My head is still spinning."
Thom, who was deputy commissioner from 2005 to 2011 under then-commissioner Anthony Whitford, said the she had submitted a letter of interest in the position to the territorial government. She replaces George Tuccaro, who retired in May of last year. The role has been filled since then by deputy commissioner Gerald Kisoun of Inuvik.
Thom is the mother of four adult children and has nine grandchildren. She will be celebrating 46 years of marriage to her husband Jim Thom later this summer.
Born and raised in Fort Providence, Thom describes herself as an educator, facilitator and volunteer with decades of service to the NWT and its people. Thom served as a school community counsellor at the Deh Gah elementary and high school in Fort Providence. She has been a member of the Aurora College board of governors, the territorial board of secondary education and vice-chair of the Nats'ejee Keh treatment centre.
Thom is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal, a member of the NWT Education Hall of Fame and has been honoured with a NWT Wise Woman Award.
Thom said she will be sworn in at a later date that has yet to be determined but she added she assumed the position officially on Wednesday.
She will be able to perform her duties as commissioner while continuing to live in Fort Providence.
Thom becomes the third female NWT commissioner - the first since 2005.
Premier Bob McLeod knows Thom well, having grown up with her in Fort Providence. He said she will make a great commissioner.
"The Tlicho have a saying that she is strong as two people," he said. "She has her own culture and she can carry herself very well in the non-aboriginal world."
In making the announcement, the prime minister also had high praise for Thom.
"She brings experience and a solid understanding of the role," he stated.
Among her duties, Thom will be responsible for swearing in MLAs as well as opening the legislative assembly and providing assent for new legislation.
