YELLOWKNIFE - Sue Heron-Herbert's community involvement hasn't gone unnoticed.

She was named Yellowknife's Wise Woman award winner by the Status of Women Council last Thursday, International Women's Day.

Sue Heron-Herbert of Yellowknife received an NWT Wise Woman award at a luncheon held by the Status of Women Council of the NWT on International Women's Day. - Erika Sherk/NNSL photo

Denyse Nadon-Holder, executive director of the Native Women's Association of the NWT, introduced Heron-Herbert. Nadon-Holder spoke of her "dedication to positive change in the territory" through working with the Native Women's Association, the Status of Women Council, and the North Slave Housing Corporation, "et cetera, et cetera, et cetera."

"She's not someone who asks for recognition," said Nadon-Holder.

The Status of Women Council of the NWT has been recognizing women with the awards since 1992.

"Their strength, wisdom and ingenuity have helped them help others," read the pamphlet handed out at the luncheon.

Heron-Herbert and the territory's four other Wise Women - Julie Lennie, Dora Cardinal, Rachel Munday and Bertha Deneron - were the honoured guests at a luncheon.

The event, normally held in the Great Hall at the legislative building, was instead at the Prince of Wales Museum café - a much smaller space.

Regardless, the tightly packed group of well-dressed women was in high spirits, clapping and laughing throughout.

"Women all over the world are celebrating today," said Lynn Brooks, president of the Status of Women Council of the NWT, as she addressed the crowd.

Recognizing the Wise Women was just one part of the event, which had two themes: reducing family violence and encouraging women in leadership.

Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee spoke to the room about family violence and the need for it to end. "My request to everyone in this room," she challenged, "how can we change this situation for the better?"

Lee, one of two female MLAs out of 19, told the mostly female crowd of the need to have more women in the legislature.

"A minority of two out of 19 is always a minority and you go with the mainstream flow," she said.

Studies by the United Nations have proven that having more women in governance leads to progress on issues like family violence, said Lee.

Women must step up and get involved, she said.

"We are mothers and wives," she said, "but we are leaders too."

Lee said that the women deserve to be lauded.

"I honour you all. I honour the wise women recipients...I know every one of you is working to make our lives better," she said.

Though the crowd was mostly female, there were a few well-known male faces.

Charles Dent, MLA for Frame Lake and the minister responsible for the status of women was resplendent in a pink tie.

Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington was also there, as was Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya.

Of course, no one forgot the reason for the event and for the day itself. At the end of her speech, Brooks summed it up. "Celebrate yourselves and your sisters," she said.