Maksagak On women's council
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Cambridge Bay (Mar 12/01) - Northern pioneer Helen Maksagak will soon use her leadership and experience to tackle a new role.
When the newly- appointed Status of Women Council meets for the first time in coming months, it is likely the Cambridge Bay elder and former commissioner in both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories will head the council.
Peter Kattuk, minister responsible for the status of women, announced Maksagak's appointment in the legislature last Thursday, International Women's Day.
She will be joined on the council, which promotes interests of women, by nine other women from across the territory.
Martha Hickes of Rankin Inlet, Madeleine Qumuataq of Pangnirtung, Maureen Doherty of Iqaluit, Annie Napajuk of Whale Cove, Rhoda Nanook of Taloyoak, Leah Qaqasiq of Arctic bay, Annie Tatty of Rankin Inlet and Rhoda Arreak of Pond Inlet were also appointed.
Reached in Kugluktuk, where she's visiting her daughter, Maksagak said her new position is an honour.
Since fulfilling her term as Nunavut's commissioner last March, she been waiting for something new. to come along.
"I've never sat on one of these councils before, said Maksagak. "I'm not used to just sitting around. I do things at home, but I like travelling around and meeting people," she said.
Maksagak is looking forward to helping women in the territory and in her region, but wants direction from other women before taking action.
"There's lots to be done and people have to be willing to step up and say they want this done," said Maksagak.
She said a valuable lesson she learned as commissioner was to listen first and act second.
Maksagak broke new ground for women and for Inuit - as the first female Inuk to ever hold the office - when she was first appointed commissioner of the NWT in 1995.
Minister Kattuk welcomed the group of nine women and said while the choice was a tough one, he felt the right decisions were made.
