DEH CHO
Four Deh Cho residents are being honoured this week for their respective contributions to their communities.
Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche is presenting Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals in four communities as part of his latest constituency tour.
The medals honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
Menicoche was scheduled to present a medal to Jean Marie River elder Sarah Hardisty on Jan. 15, Laura Vital in Nahanni Butte and Irene McLeod in Fort Liard on Jan. 16 and elder Gabe Hardisty of Wrigley on Jan. 18.
Elders Joe Punch and Edward Jumbo of Trout Lake will also be receiving medals, but the Sambaa K'e Dene Band has requested the presentation be done in the spring.
"I'm very happy to recognize people for their many years of leadership to the communities," said Menicoche.
Modesty was part of both Laura Vital's and Irene McLeod's responses to receiving their medals.
"I didn't do anything spectacular," said McLeod.
She draws inspiration for her actions from her grandfather, the late Michel Bertrand. "Always see the good in people, that's what my grandpa said."
McLeod has put this advice into action both at work and in the rest of her life. She began working at the Fort Liard Health Centre in August 1973 at the age of 18 as a clerk interpreter and has been there ever since.
When people come in with questions, even if they aren't health-related, McLeod tries to direct them to the right resources. Having known most of the community members for their whole lives, McLeod can tell if they are having a bad day. She said she sits and talks with them in the waiting room to let them know someone cares.
In the community both McLeod and her husband Angus McLeod try to help people whenever possible. They've been known to give away their last barrel of gas to someone in need. Sometimes they see their kindness repaid in the form of moose meat if one of the recipients of their help has a good hunt. The meat is a better thank-you than a medal, said McLeod.
"It's nothing extraordinary; we do it from our hearts," she said.
McLeod said she wasn't looking forward to the medal presentation.
"I'm not doing it for a reward or anything," she said.
Vital, a classroom assistant at the Charles Yohin School in Nahanni Butte, was similarly surprised to find out she would be receiving a medal. Her response was, "if people think that I deserve it."
Vital began teaching at the school in 1978. She said she enjoys everything she does with the students, including teaching them Dene Zhatie.
"I'm happy to pass on what I know about culture," she said.
After 34 years, Vital said she still likes working with the young people in her community.
"I'm proud of it," she said about receiving the award.
In Wrigley, elder Gabe Hardisty is being recognized for his contributions to the community in the form of leadership.
Hardisty started his first term as chief of Pehdzeh Ki First Nation in the late '70s. He served as chief off and on for more than a decade. Hardisty also served as a band councillor before he became chief for at least six years and for a number of terms afterwards.
Community elders asked Hardisty to consider becoming a chief. They said they wanted young people to step forward to work for the community, he said.
It's nice to receive a bit of recognition for one's work, said Hardisty, who has also received a plaque from the First Nation for his service.
"It's a hard job and you never satisfy everybody," he said.
You do the best you can while you are a leader, he said. Hardisty said people should learn that supporting their chief is the best thing they can do to allow a band to continue in its work.
