Hay River (July 14/03) - Eliza Lawrence is leading a busy life in Hay River. From volunteering to working part-time to cooking outdoors, she says she keeps very active in semi-retirement.

Eliza Lawrence prepares a meal in her garden in Hay River's Old Town. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Lawrence is the former MLA for Tu Nedhe, having represented her hometown of Fort Resolution and Lutsel K'e in the legislative assembly from 1983-87.

However, she never thinks of getting back into politics. "It's very hard work. Your time is not your own."

Instead, she keeps busy with her involvement with, among other things, the Northwest Territory Metis Nation and the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre.

"We volunteer for a lot of different things," Lawrence says.

She and her husband, Harry, also host friends and visitors for outdoor meals in their garden in Old Town. One occasional guest is Western Arctic Liberal MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

Visitors might be treated to bannock, beans, fish and potatoes.

"That's our basic diet," says Lawrence with a laugh.

In 1994, the Lawrences moved to Hay River from Yellowknife, since they liked the central location of the South Slave town.

They have been married for 43 years and have three grown daughters.

Lawrence was trained as a nursing assistant and worked in hospitals in Yellowknife and Edmonton.

"That was the best time of my life," she says. "I worked hard, but I felt I accomplished something."

She later worked for the territorial and federal governments, including as a nutritional educator in communities.

Later, Lawrence, who speaks fluent Chipewyan, became the manager of professional services with the GNWT's language bureau.

She and her husband are also involved in promoting aboriginal culture, having organized the Metis Reelers dance group in 1985.

Lawrence recently performed a traditional Metis dance as part of the entertainment when the RCMP Musical Ride visited Hay River.

"We love dancing," she says. "We still dance every chance we get."