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Edna Dow officially a 'wise woman'
Organizer of Hay River's Secret Santa service 'shocked' by honour

Diana Yeager
Northern News Services
Monday, February 22, 2016

HAY RIVER
"Why me?" was what Edna Dow remembers exclaiming when she was told she was one of the recipients of the 2016 Wise Woman Awards.

"I was shocked," she said. "You just keep doing what you do, you don't think of getting an award while you're doing it. I do it because it's in my heart to do it. It feeds my soul. And I think everyone in the community does a little bit that the rest of us don't know about too."

The Wise Woman Awards are an annual recognition of women put on by the Status of Women Council of the NWT.

Dow is perhaps best known for her Secret Santa service. It's a special holiday initiative to get presents and festive feasts to needy families in town, which has been running for 25 years.

"There was no such thing as it here before," said Dow. "I was brought up by my mother to always give to others. If a woman needed food, my mother would give her half of ours."

Although Dow was hesitant to list her contributions to the community, she did mention a few ways she has been able to help others.

"A woman in Calgary heard about me up here in the North, and she sent along brand new coats," she said. "I know who needs them - I know who doesn't have enough here. And people are so thankful."

Dow is mother to eight children, and has raised many more in the community. She said when she would hear of a child that didn't have a safe place to go, she would take them in.

"I raised them all to help with Secret Santa, and to help with bringing baking to people," she said.

Dow will be a guest of honour at this year's award ceremony in Yellowknife on March 8. It will mark the 25th ceremony for the annual event, and Status of Women Council executive director Lorraine Phaneuf said there is a special program planned for the women, including a showcase of women's art and writing and a traditional clothing show. Local musicians are expected to perform as well.

"It's such an honour to work on a celebration that shows the accomplishments of women," said Phaneuf. "So often we work with important issues like leadership and family violence, so it is nice to have an event that goes solely to celebrating women's achievements. Not what we didn't do or can do but what we've done. Women who work every day in their communities unnoticed - making sandwiches, taking care of kids and elders, volunteering at fundraisers - these women are all humble."

Dow is looking forward to travelling to Yellowknife for the awards.

"It's exciting, I love meeting new people," she said. "But I am feeling selfish. It's all paid for."

To win the award, a woman must be recommended by at least two people and be a role model in the community.

"We are looking for community workers - people who are role models and teach their skills to others, and a lot of the time these people go unnoticed," said Phaneuf.

She said the council could receive as many as 20 nominations in one region.

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