Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 25, 2007

BEHCHOKO - A speaker on violence against women at last week's Dene National Assembly went on the offensive Monday in response to comments made by chiefs, including one who said her presentation was "inappropriate."

Mary-Ann Jeremick'a was speaking on behalf of the Native Women's Association of the NWT to a group of chiefs and delegates at the assembly July 19 on issues facing aboriginal women.

Jeremick'a's presentation was on the Native Women's Association second annual walk from Yellowknife to Behchoko to raise awareness about violence against women. During the presentation, she made reference to letters written by Monfwi MLA Jackson Lafferty and Behchoko Chief Leon Lafferty last May in support of Behchoko resident Jonas Bouvier who was found guilty of sexual assault.

After her presentation, Chief Lafferty told delegates he thought her speech was 'inappropriate,' and that she shouldn't have been allowed to speak on that particular issue.

"If you go into a meeting, you have to do the presentation on something, don't go and change the issue around," Lafferty later told Yellowknifer, adding again that he didn't think her subject was appropriate.

At a press conference held in Yellowknife Monday, Jeremick'a countered: "Our leaders have to be accountable for what they stated and what's in the constitution."

The executive director for the Native Women's Association of the NWT, meanwhile, said the group is standing by Jeremick'a.

"Her concern is real, it's valid. It's something we support every day," said Denyse Nadon-Holder

In a press release issued Monday, Jeremick'a also made reference to comments made by National Dene Chief Bill Erasmus, who told delegates her presentation did not fit into the assembly's agenda.

Erasmus said Jeremick'a's presentation was originally scheduled slotted for July 17.

Jeremick'a said she didn't make her presentation then because there was no representative from the Native Women's Association of the NWT to introduce her.

Nadon-Holder said that the association's president was scheduled to be there on the Tuesday but wasn't able to make it. In consequence, Jeremick'a's presentation fell on Thursday night, as the assembly was coming to a late close.

Jeremick'a said she is still waiting for an apology from Chief Lafferty for writing the letter.

Lafferty said the letter was in support of Bouvier's family, and not in support of the assailant.

"They're saying they're a victim's group. There are victims on both sides of the family," said Lafferty. "The letter had nothing to do with the court case at all."

Lafferty said Monday that organizations like the Native Women's Association should concentrate more on social issues rather than creating controversy.

"The only time I hear about these people, it's on issues like this," said Lafferty. "It seems they come out of the woodwork. I don't see those people volunteering in my community."