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DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
Therese (Dollie) Simon is an involved resident of Fort Resolution and the NWT as a whole.

Therese (Dollie) Simon contributes in a number of ways to improving life in Fort Resolution. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Not only is she a community wellness worker, she is also a Canadian Ranger and recently organized the annual Culture Week in Fort Resolution.

Plus, she was president of the Status of Women Council of the NWT until last year.

Her efforts to better her community and the territory as a whole have not gone unnoticed.

In July, Simon was among 25 residents of the NWT to be awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, which recognizes the recipients' outstanding service to their communities and territory.

"I was very surprised and honoured," said Simon of receiving the medal.

In February, the 51-year-old received another honour when she was named one of five recipients of the Wise Women Awards presented annually by the Status of Women Council of the NWT.

Simon, who said she was honoured to be named the South Slave representative on this year's group of Wise Women, had been president of the council for about six years up to 2011.

"I've basically taken a break from it and I can apply to be on the Status of Women Council again in the future," she said.

Simon said the Status of Women Council does a lot of good work, from assisting new Canadians obtain language instruction to helping women train for jobs in mining and the oil and gas industry.

"It's basically working for women, not just native women but all women from all walks of life," she explained.

In Fort Resolution, Simon has been a community wellness worker for 18 years, starting when the position was called an alcohol and drug worker.

She is co-ordinator of Deninu Ku'e First Nation's Community Wellness Program.

"It's just continuing work," she said. "My goal is to drive myself out of a job, but it's not going to happen. It probably will happen, eventually."

Simon said she enjoys being a wellness worker, noting people trust her to help with their problems.

Another of her long-term commitments has been her 14 years as a Canadian Ranger.

She said she joined because she enjoyed being out on the land.

"When I first joined I was so scared," she recalled. "I wasn't sure I'd be up to par with everybody else. But they teach you, other fellow Rangers teach you. If you're lacking something, they'll teach you."

About three years ago, Simon - as a corporal in the Canadian Rangers - was named the leader of Fort Resolution's Junior Rangers, leading up to 16 young people aged 12 to 18 years.

"I love to see them doing things traditional," she said, noting the young people are proud when they learn a new skill.

Another of Simon's contributions to Fort Resolution has been organizing Culture Week - Aug. 18 to 22 this year - for the Community Wellness Program.

She is pleased how the event on Mission Island has grown over the years.

"People look forward to it," she said.

This year, Culture Week featured traditional activities such as dry meat making, crafts, bannock making, jigging, dry fish making, storytelling and moose hide tanning.

Simon has remained active in the community even though she experienced a personal loss late last year.

In December, her husband, Ray Simon, died from cancer.

"I almost didn't go back to work. It really took a toll on me," she said. "I even asked for time off without pay. They were really supportive of what I had to do for me. So I took a time out."

Simon missed the presence of her late husband at Culture Week.

"He's not here this year," she said. "It's different."

Simon said her late husband and the late Jim Villeneuve developed the idea for Culture Week.

She said her work and community involvements have very much helped her deal with her loss, although she added it still hurts.

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