Wise Women of the NWT

Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 12/01) - "Wild women don't get the blues," rose up from the crowd at the urging of Yellowknife musician Tracy Riley.

Women and men mingled while they enjoyed a luncheon spread laid out for them.

The five: Hazel Nerysoo (Beaufort-Delta) -- Sits on Gwich'in Tribal Council, Youth Committee, Alcohol Committee, and the Tlondih Healing Society, among others. She is also a well known suicide prevention worker and travels extensively through the smaller communities. Mary Louise Norwegian (Deh Cho) -- When she was nominated, someone said that Norwegian was active in her community "probably since the community was established." Norwegian is a well-known health educator in the Deh Cho, and is well known for her work in suicide, alcohol and drug prevention. Cecilia Martin (North Slave) -- Martin is well known in the region for her work in preserving the Dogrib language. One nominator also noted that "she always has a nice smile around her." Monica Loomis (Sahtu) -- A former nurse who goes "to great lengths to meet the needs of others," Loomis volunteers extensively in her community of Norman Wells. She is often seen giving rides to elders and being there first to help in times of illness or death. Ernestine Gladue (South Slave) -- A founding member of the Aboriginal Circle against violence, Gladue has mobilized communities to address family violence issues.

Between bites of fruit and cheese, a mother danced with her baby.

They were all there to honour five of the hardest working women in the Northwest Territories.

Only two of the NWT's newest Wise Women were able to make it to the International Women's Day event held at the Legislature Thursday.

An crowd of about 150 people packed the Great Hall to honour recipients of the ninth annual Wise Woman Awards.

The Awards recognize women across the NWT who have made a difference in their communities.

Five women were picked from every region of the Territory. In all, 34 women were nominated for the award. Barbara Saunders, Executive Director of Status of Women Council of the NWT, said "selection, as always, is never easy."

North Slave's Cecilia Zoe Martin thanked her husband and told the audience that "this award is not for me, but for all my woman friends."

Health Minister and Deputy Premier Jane Groenewegen saluted the recipients, and told the audience that the government is establishing a "Council of Grandmothers," composed of respected women who are "interested in working for positive social change."

Groenewegen added that some members of the government had questioned the idea.

"I told them we already have a Grandfather's Council -- it's called the Legislative Assembly," the Minister said to gales of laughter.

Due to time and budgetary constraints, three of the award recipients were unable to attend the function. Their awards were accepted by family members or in one case, by their MLA.

Adele Tatti accepted a Wise Woman award on behalf of her aunt, Monica Loomis.

Tatti said her aunt was "very pleased" to be chosen.