SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A few years ago, while Martina Norwegian was driving Jane Grossetete and Joseph Tonka out to Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park for Parks Day, the group stopped by the side of the road to catch their supper.

The 2017 Wise Women Awards were presented on March 8 at a Bread and Roses Event at the Prince of Whales Northern Heritage Centre by The Status of Women Council of the NWT. In the front row, from left, are Lydia Bardak, the award recipient from the North Slave; Linda Ann Mabbitt, the award recipient from the South Slave; Jane Grossetete, the award recipient from the Deh Cho; Lucy Lafferty, the award recipient from the Tlicho; Jenny Jacobson, the award recipient from the Beaufort Delta; and Ernestine Lennie, the award recipient from the Sahtu. The back row, from left, makes up the council's board including Doris Camsell; Martina Mary Norwegian; Violette Camsell-Blondin; Georgina Jacobson-Masuzum; Caroline Cochrane, minister responsible for the status of women; and Paulina Roche. - photo courtesy of Jennifer Windsor

Tonka took out his rifle, aiming at a group of spruce hens, and took a couple shots, missing each time. The birds fluttered across the road and into the bush on the other side.

"Jane said, 'Give me that,' and she took the rifle and went across the road after them. We heard two shots coming from the bush, and then there was Jane, marching back to us with the chickens in her hand," recalls Norwegian with a laugh.

Grossetete was one of six winners for the Status of Women Council's Wise Women awards this year. The awards were presented in Yellowknife on March 8 and Norwegian, who was last year's recipient for the Deh Cho region, gave a presentation on Grossetete's behalf.

Awards are given annually to women who are nominated for their work as role models and dedication to making the North a better place to live, according to the council.

Grossetete speaks fluent Dene Zhatie and, being 86 years old and a respected community elder in Fort Simpson, broken English. Norwegian spoke to the Deh Cho Drum on her behalf.

Grossetete's life has been steeped in tradition. She grew up as a mischievous youth and devoted herself to passing on her deep knowledge of traditional skills, becoming heavily involved in Fort Simpson's schools and teaching students during culture camps.

Norwegian said she has always been in awe of Grossetete's on-the-land knowledge - whether that's recognizing a spot in the bush as one where she spent time as a youth, or cooking up those spruce hens into a meal.

Referring to her as "mum," Norwegian describes her as an oasis of peace in an otherwise hectic world.

"One of the things I talked about when we were in Yellowknife was her patience," Norwegian said, recalling one instance where she was driving Grossetete to buy a beaver pelt, and she was getting frustrated with road closures and traffic.

"Jane didn't say anything. She just put her hand on my hand and I knew she was saying everything is OK," Norwegian said.

"With her, it isn't about the words she says, but rather about her actions. Her actions say a lot."

Grossetete grew up on a homestead six miles out of Fort Simpson. She and her siblings tended the homestead while her parents went out to check and set traplines.

To this day, she lives a traditional lifestyle, Norwegian said.

She and Tonka spent 63 years together, eventually marrying in 2010, before Tonka's death a few years later. They raised three adopted children together.

She keeps Sunday as a day for rest and still instructs youth in how to sew, although she can no longer sew herself.

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