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Inuvik's wise woman
Greta Sittichinli wins award for Beaufort Delta RegionKatherine Hudson Northern News Services Published Thursday, February 23, 2012
For these reasons, as well as her spreading of the Gwich'in culture, her coaching, her fundraising efforts and her positive demeanor, she is one of this year's five Wise Women Award winners. Sittichinli is currently the regional superintendent for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, a position that is molded to her skills and background of a combined bachelor of education and management degree from the University of Lethbridge. The road to stability, however, wasn't always so smooth. Sittichinli graduated from high school with a three-month-old baby girl, which put her dreams of going to university on hold – at least for a little bit. "My parents helped me and my child's father helped, and because I had someone to take care of, I just took management studies and worked in that field for awhile," said Sittichinli. Years later, in 2003 with four children, she decided to follow her dream, "put all her eggs in one basket" and enroll at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta to finish her degree. "I think its just because that's the only way key to getting a good job and having a career … I always try to encourage people to go back to school or pursue something that they're passionate about," she said. She went to school with a seven-, 10-, 12- and 15-year-old; a full-time mother and a full-time student. "When I wasn't in class, I was doing homework so that when they came home, I would have time to do stuff," said Sittichinli. "When you're at school and you have people at home that are believing in you and encouraging you – I wish more people could take that chance and just go to school." Her oldest daughter was awarded her high school diploma the same year Sittichinli received her university degree. In 2007, Sittichinli was awarded a Gwich'in Achievement Award for Gwich'in education. While in Lethbridge, Sittichinli was invited to a Native American Studies course and an elementary school to share information about her culture. Sittichinli is a registered Gwich'in and her grandmother is Inuvialuit. Back in Inuvik, Sittichinli immersed herself in the community, volunteering with the Anglican church, coaching soccer and helping with the Muskrat Jamboree. Sittichinli is known to instill hope and offer words of encouragement quietly to those who are struggling. "If there's someone in need, I come alongside," she said. Sittichinli has been through tough times as well; the father of her children died in 2000 and her eldest daughter died in 2007. She said she always had the support she needed from her family, friends and the community. "I always say not to give up and to always have hope, no matter how hard things are. At the end of the day, you try your best and you don't give up and you get things done," she said. "It's a long journey when you're trying to get better but if you're willing to get through those tough times, at the end, you'll look back and see how much you have grown as a person." This year marks the 20th year the Status of Women Council is presenting the Wise Women Awards. Including this year, 93 women have been awarded. "Not only is it the women who were powerful in the media or in high-profile positions, but it's women who do work every day to help the lives of families in the North," said Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director of the council. "We're oftentimes profiling women who have done work behind the scenes with their families at a community level, at a volunteer level, which are normally not profiled anywhere – the work just goes unnoticed … It's ways of showing the young women and young boys how women can shape the lives that they're around and the community." A book, titled Honouring our Wise Women from the North, is being launched at this year's award event in Yellowknife on March 8. It will feature all the women who have been acknowledged with Wise Women Awards throughout the past 20 years.
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