Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 22/02) - Lots of programs take place at Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre, and they are delivered by many people.

Margaret Norris is program co-ordinator at Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

Helping everything run smoothly, and providing ideas too, is Margaret Norris, who about a year ago became program co-ordinator. She explained she likes all the programming, whatever group of people it's aimed at.

"All of it is really interesting. There's such a variety of duties here, it keeps your interest," Norris said.

"It's especially rewarding to see the results are shown in the community. We do see some success as a result of our work, so I guess that in itself is rewarding."

An example of what's offered is healthy babies programming for expectant women and new mothers, which Norris explained provides services in respect to healthy lifestyles and health care issues.

"We use a lot of outside resources. We use all the social agencies that are available."

Norris said many guest speakers come in to speak within healthy babies.

"We're starting to offer an on-the-land program. They do sewing and crafts and traditional cooking classes."

In addition, Norris said, there are many activities for young people.

"The youth participate as full members of developing programming," Norris said, pointing out she lends a helping hand.

"We have to sort of keep it all together."

Norris plans to soon hold St. John Ambulance training, in the hope that this will lead to the establishment of a St. John Ambulance youth brigade at Ingamo.

Next month she hopes to put on a week-long program to develop employment skills.

Norris said her work background has helped her with her current duties. For 31 years she worked for the territorial government as an administration officer for social services, and as a career development officer for Education, Culture and Employment. She also worked for the Metis training program for five years.

"Program direction, program co-ordination -- all of it is sort of the same as what's developing here," Norris said.

"A lot of the career development and all the Metis training is dealing with youth and young adults and assisting them in developing their careers," she said.

"The staff around here at Ingamo Hall's just wonderful. If somebody gets sick then there's always somebody to cover for you."

Norris is originally from Aklavik and grew up in Inuvik.