NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Paulina Roche of Deline is the new president of the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories.
She was elected on March 14.
"I'm going to do my best," Roche said. "I believe by working together you can make change."
The vote for a new president was originally expected to be held during the organization's annual general meeting last August, but there were not enough members in attendance at that time to hold a vote due to a lack of funds to bring members to the meeting, Roche said.
"Before, they used to provide funding for people to meet," she said. "Last AGM, they didn't have any money to bring anybody in."
The association is non-profit and is a member of the Native Women's Association of Canada.
Roche said the next step for the organization is to hold another annual general meeting, tentatively scheduled for August.
"Once we have the AGM, we're going to invite people to come and participate at the meeting and discuss our strategic planning, planning for the organization and discuss funding," she said.
Roche said securing funding is an important goal. The association's Yellowknife Victims Services depends on volunteers to deliver services, such as accompanying people to court, helping with victim impact statements and helping to navigate the justice system, according to its website.
Other programming depends on volunteers as well.
"It's hard for them to do it, especially when they're volunteering," she said. "You don't want to overwhelm them with work when they have their own jobs to do, too."
Roche said the organization plans to look for community organizations to form partnerships to help deliver programs.
"A lot of aboriginal women and women across the North have a lot of wisdom and experience, they're caregivers, community workers and leaders. They have lots to contribute," she said. "I would like to see people addressing their concerns and addressing what kind of services we can offer as an organization of the North."
Roche said elder involvement in the organization is also vital.
"As for me, I always listen to the elders because I learn a lot from them and they're very good counsellors," she said. "They give me direction."
