Yellowknife (Oct 06/03) - A proposed amalgamation of two women's groups was put on hold until an in-depth study can be made. In August, Yellowknife-based Centre for Northern Families proposed to merge with the Native Women's Association of the NWT.

"We don't have enough concrete information. The centre can't just come in and say, here, take it over," said Audrey Zoe, executive director for the association. That's why the association decided to form a working group with the centre during its annual assembly in Yellowknife on Oct. 1 and 2.

"Over the next six months, the group will be looking at options," said Arlene Hache, executive director for the centre. The centre posted a $60,000 deficit last year, and Hache hopes to find some support to get rid of it. "It's too critical not to amalgamate with an aboriginal group. Our clientele is aboriginal," said Hache. Hache said the idea came about when the territorial government revoked a contract because the centre advocates for women whose children have been removed by social services. "We feel our clients would be more protected under an aboriginal group," said Hache.

Zoe said the association was not quite ready yet to run the centre's seven programs. "We are just starting to reorganize ourselves. We are not ready to take that over," Zoe said.