Yellowknife (May 14/04) - Two Yellowknife men will be part of the first five-member board of the territory's Human Rights Commission.

The Yellowknife representatives are Colin Baile and Lorne Gushue.

Also on the board are Rose Marie Kirby of Inuvik, Joletta Larocque of Hay River, and Mary Pat Short of Fort Smith.

Short will be the board's first chairperson. Gushue will be deputy chairperson.

As well, Therese Boullard has been appointed as NWT's first director of human rights. She has more than 10 years experience in human rights issues in British Columbia.

The board had its inaugural meeting May 4-5. The Human Rights Commission office officially opens to the public on Canada Day, July 1.