NWT leaders honoured
Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 29/01) - Receiving an Aboriginal Achievement Award is "a very humbling kind of experience," says Nick Sibbeston.
The Senator from Fort Simpson and Richard Nerysoo of Inuvik, are among those who will be recognized at the 2001 awards in Edmonton on March 16.
Sibbeston remembers his early political career in the 1970s, which he believes is the reason he was chosen for the honour.
"During that time, I was always a spokesperson for the aboriginal people, for the people of this area," said Sibbeston, who was elected as territorial councillor in the early 1970s.
At a time when "native people were bit quiet and silent on issues, I was bold enough to speak," he said.
It was a political world where he stood alone against a government establishment of non-northern people which needed to be challenged, he said.
"They weren't really from the North and didn't properly represent the people of the North," said Sibbeston.
"And, also their attitudes and views were so different from what was in the North,"
Sibbeston brought some of his Northern culture into the legislature.
"I spoke Slavey and no one could understand me, so eventually they had to get an interpreter," said Sibbeston.
"I was making a point about being able to speak your own language and dress and wear things that were of native people of the North."
He credits his strength to the people in the communities, especially when fought on issues such as the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
"We were just trying to get natives involved.
Now, the challenge is participation in all aspects of society."
