Doreen Arrowmaker suspects her father knew she was destined for big things even when she was a little girl.

One gift she received from him in particular reflected this.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen I was a lot younger, my dad, he was out travelling, and then he comes home and he buys me a typewriter and a backpack full of notebooks,SA国际影视传媒� she recalled. SA国际影视传媒淚 was wondering why, when I could be playing with Barbies or whatever.

SA国际影视传媒淗e always said that those kinds of things are not worthwhile for me,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淭hat has always stuck with me since that very day.SA国际影视传媒�

ArrowmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 father, Alphonse Apples, was the chief of the Tlicho community of Gameti at the time.

Decades later, Arrowmaker now holds that position herself SA国际影视传媒� and has the distinction of being the first female chief in her communitySA国际影视传媒檚 history.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 very humbled,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 use the word pride, because I think that ISA国际影视传媒檓 a very humble person. I take my position very seriously and I take my job very seriously, and I feel that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a great emphasis in extra weight that I carry because ISA国际影视传媒檓 a woman.

SA国际影视传媒淎s a woman coming into a very traditional system, itSA国际影视传媒檚 very hard to establish yourself,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淏ut at the same time, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think any leader should be concerned with what people think. They should be focused on what the priorities are, what the greatest needs for the community are, and in what capacity can people be helped.SA国际影视传媒�

Arrowmaker became GametiSA国际影视传媒檚 chief in 2021, after coming up short in the 2017 election.

Almost three years into her term, she still loves her work, especially the way she is able to effect meaningful change.

SA国际影视传媒淪eeing things happen, seeing positive things happen in the community,SA国际影视传媒� she said when asked about her favourite parts of the job. SA国际影视传媒淸Chiefs] advocate a lot for their communities, and when you finally see it happen, when you see those projects come into the community, itSA国际影视传媒檚 really rewarding.SA国际影视传媒�

Master of global management

Despite holding her communitySA国际影视传媒檚 top office, Arrowmaker is not resting on her laurels. Instead, she seeks out ways to diversify her knowledge and skillset in hopes of making herself a more effective leader.

Her most recent effort to that end saw her graduate from Royal Roads UniversitySA国际影视传媒檚 master of global management program.

It was SA国际影视传媒渧ery difficultSA国际影视传媒� to juggle her studies with her duties as chief SA国际影视传媒� and the ever-present responsibilities of being a mother SA国际影视传媒� but sheSA国际影视传媒檚 happy to have made the effort, and is already considering pursuing a doctoral degree.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e always wanted to earn an executive MBA,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 so busy, but I knew I could make it happen.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was very interesting,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淚t helped me to really consider critical thinking in all the decisions that need to be made, and not only that, the impacts of each of those decisions.SA国际影视传媒�

With her latest degree attained, Arrowmaker is now focused on a number of important issues facing Gameti. Many of them are rather SA国际影视传媒渇orward thinking,SA国际影视传媒� like helping her community adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In terms of more immediate goals, she hopes to help bring a new multi-use facility to town, which could play host to handgames tournaments and other cultural practices.

Arrowmaker also hopes to be a positive role model for the young people in her community, particularly the girls.

SA国际影视传媒淭he first thing I would tell them is, please donSA国际影视传媒檛 limit yourself, especially when you think that somethingSA国际影视传媒檚 not achievable or canSA国际影视传媒檛 be done,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he sky is the limit. The opportunities are all around, and theySA国际影视传媒檙e endless. Obviously, youSA国际影视传媒檝e got to work really hard and you have to be very disciplined in achieving any goals that you have for yourself in life.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou must work hard and and be dedicated to realizing those goals,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淏ut I believe that if you decide in your mind that you want to do something and you envision yourself doing it, you can make it happen.SA国际影视传媒�

Arrowmaker knows a lot about making things happen SA国际影视传媒� for herself and her community.

She believes much of what she learned about leading was instilled by her father many years ago.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen it comes to my journey to where I am now, my dad obviously played a important role in that,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淢y dad was very instrumental.SA国际影视传媒�

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