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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Five wise women from around the territory were honoured last week during International Women's Day celebrations in Yellowknife.

One of the women recognized for working hard to improve the status of women in her community was Yellowknife resident Marsha Argue, who received the award for the North Slave region.

Argue is originally from Ontario and has lived in the North since the 1970s. After spending about 10 years in Nunavut, she moved to Yellowknife, where she has been working with territorial women's rights organizations since about 1985.

Marsha has worked at the Status of Women Council of the NWT for 17 years behind the scenes as a programs and research manager, said Status of Women Council of the NWT executive director Lorraine Phaneuf. In Yellowknife, Argue has also worked with the YWCA Yellowknife, YWCA Canada, and has served as a board member for the NWT Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group.

"Well, I was very touched by the women who nominated me and that the council selected me," said Argue. "For me, the Wise Women Award symbolizes the work that all women are doing across the North. So, it's not about me. It's about what all women are doing.

Achieving equality for women and marginalized groups is a passion for Argue.

"Women need to have equal opportunities and also equal outcomes in society. So, there should be no barriers for women to fulfill their potential or take part in every aspect of society," she said. "Basically, women's rights are human rights."

Over the past 30 years of working to empower Northern women, Argue said she has seen definite improvement in many areas.

"I think that because we have a small population, it's easier and faster to have an impact," said Argue.

The smaller population facilitates the building of relationships, especially across communities, she said. However, there is still a lot of work to be done, especially when it comes to violence against women in the North.

"I think there's been some progress in quite a few areas, but as long as there is violence against women, we are a long way from having equality," said Argue.

Instances of sexual and domestic violence remains statistically higher in the NWT than the rest of Canada, but the conversation around these issues has been improved in recent years, she said.

"I think that one of the areas of progress in the North has been that it can openly be talked about, at least at a certain level, in communities across the North," said Argue. "That may have been completely taboo 20 years ago."

What is needed to curb violence against women, said Argue, is a "fundamental attitude change. It should not be acceptable in any shape or form for there to be violence against anyone who is perceived to have less power in society."

Work is best done not by individuals, but by women and all members of society working together to bring about positive change, said Argue.

"I'm only one of many women; I'm not an expert. It's women working together that are bringing about these changes," she said. "The power of women working together is really amazing."

Two events were held Thursday, International Women's Day, to honour the recipients of the 20th annual Wise Women Awards, an honour conferred on community leaders by the Status of Women Council. About 130 people gathered in the Great Hall at the legislative assembly to see the awards presented and enjoy a Bread and Roses luncheon.

That evening, the council held a book launch at Northern United Place which was attended by about 100 women, according to organizers. The council published a book titled Honouring Our Wise Women from the North to commemorate the award's 20th year and all of the women who have received the honour so far.

"(The Wise Women Award) is a way of celebrating the accomplishments of women," said Phaneuf.

"It's a way of providing role models for young girls and boys, and it's a way of bringing the community together for International Women's Day to honour the day."

In order to be named a wise woman of the NWT, an individual must be nominated by two different members of their community. These women cannot hold public office such as MLA, mayor, chief, or council member, said Phaneuf. However, former politicians do qualify. For example, this year's wise woman for the Sahtu region is longtime Member of Parliament Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

Awarding women for their contribution to society through the Wise Women Awards is a way to encourage other women to work within their communities to improve conditions in the Northwest Territories, said Phaneuf.

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