Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I was very happy to read in the Inuvik Drum yesterday, recognition of the Wise Women Awards, specifically a former worker, Greta Sittichinli. Mr. Speaker, we’re all here because of women in our lives that have supported us, that have encouraged us, motivated us. Women that are our mothers, our sisters, significant others, so that we can be sitting here today and assisting and leading the people of the Northwest Territories in providing good programs and services.
In my life as a worker in the public service, I’ve done a lot of good work and there’s a lot of work that I’m very proud of that I can say we’ve put a lot of action to. I can say that a lot of those actions happened because of the women that I’ve worked with in terms of committees and the work that they did, and the drive that they had to make change and create action in the Northwest Territories.
My campaign team, actually, for me to get into the Legislative Assembly, was made up of pretty well all women who made things happen, who got out there, got the work done. For someone who didn’t even have a campaign, they helped me to be who I am today.
Women have had a significant effect on my life in terms of being who I am today with the knowledge and experience that was provided to me. The Status of Women Council has been distributing an award, the Wise Women Award, since 1992 for the five regions in the Northwest Territories. The wise women recipients are role models who demonstrate wisdom, perseverance and dedication, while standing up for women, children and families in our
communities. They strive to make the North a better place to live, work and raise a family.
I’d like to take this moment to recognize one of those women: Greta Sittichinli. I’ve worked with her. She’s done a lot of good work, she’s one who has overcome adversity, who is a single mother, who goes above and beyond to make sure that the people of Inuvik thrive, and are healthy, and have opportunity to succeed and to live, much like all the other award recipients across the Northwest Territories. She’s the go-to person who spends a lot of countless hours volunteering for the church so that people who are less fortunate get a chance to succeed.
At this time I’d like to celebrate all women across the Northwest Territories that are doing significant work and making a positive impact in their families, in their communities and across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.