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INUVIK - Ellen Smith saw her retirement celebration on Friday as the start of a new chapter in her quest to help those plagued by mental illness and drug and alcohol addictions.

"I'm looking forward to a new adventure," said Smith. "I'm going to be going on a different journey. I don't know what's going to come in the future. All I know is that I have worked in the mental health and addiction fields for years and that's what I shall continue doing."

Ellen Smith, addictions counsellor, enjoys a slice of cake with colleagues Trudy Wilson, left, and Patricia Kyle during her retirement party Friday afternoon. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Since 1992 Smith has been the alcohol and drug addictions specialist for the Beaufort Delta Health and Social Services Authority (BDHSSA) in Inuvik. As a member of the Community Counselling Program at the Inuvik General Hospital, she's done it all in the region, whether its working with individuals or families, doing workshops or providing grief counselling for tragedy-stricken communities.

But the farewell reception her colleagues held for her at the Inuvik Regional Hospital's cafeteria also honoured a more than 40-year career devoted to helping others.

Born in Fort McPherson and a fiercely proud Gwich'in women, her career started as a summer student in the Inuvik General Hospital. She graduated as a nurse's aide in 1967 and worked for the next 10 years in the NWT, B.C. and Alberta. She returned to Fort McPherson and in 1978, Smith started a new career as a social worker trainee and quickly became the community's permanent social worker. In 1990, she obtained her Bachelor of Indian Social Work.

She now plans to move back to her community to operate a private consultant business, carrying on her interests in mental health, family violence and addictions. With an interest in setting up workshops on grief and loss, Smith, who is a residential school survivor, plans to zero in on residential school victims.

"I have done my healing journey and I'm now ready to talk about it, to be the qualified counsellor.

"I've seen all the problems and the injustices the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and the Metis have encountered. I see some of the solutions there. I have the training, the knowledge and the wisdom."

She's optimistic about the future, pointing to the fact that the area boasts a healthier aboriginal population than in the 1960s. Part of that, she said, can be attributed to the strength of the economy and the leadership role elders have taken in empowering people.

"The first thing that helped me along my healing journey is when an elder sobered up in my home town, my auntie," she said. "She had an impact on us and so do elders like her who have taken the steps and said 'enough is enough, we're going on our sober journey now.' Thus began the healing journey for all of us."

She's quick to point out that the solution hinges on a collective approach.

"Our approach as a Gwich'in nation is being kind and loving and caring for one another," she said. "That's the most healing strategy. Some of us who are better off, we should be there to give a hand. We were taught that. It doesn't cost a cent. It's free."

Patricia Kyle, manager of the authority's community counselling programs, said the department has lost a "fabulous advocate for the people of Beaufort Delta region and a wonderful storyteller."

"All that history and knowledge when she retires will be leaving with her," said Kyle. "She would always bring the perspective of the community to our team."

A tireless fighter, Smith has no plans to rest on her laurels.

"An elder told me 'you think you're retiring?' She said your work is never done. I will continue working until I'm gone."