This yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Women in Mining NWT award went to the Tlicho GovernmentSA国际影视传媒檚 mines liaison coordinator, Grace Mackenzie.

Mackenzie received the honour at the 2023 Mining and Exploration (MAX) Awards banquet, part of the annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum, on Nov. 16.

She first learned sheSA国际影视传媒檇 be receiving the award months ago, when she was informed of the distinction by Women in Mining NWT president Gaeleen MacPherson, a friend and longtime peer in the sector.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was surprised when I first heard that I was to receive this award back in September,SA国际影视传媒� Mackenzie said in early December. SA国际影视传媒淸The news] came from the members of the Women in Mining NWT chapter, specifically Gaeleen MacPherson, the organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 president, which was so special for me since ISA国际影视传媒檝e worked with and known Gaeleen since she was a summer student at Diavik. ISA国际影视传媒檝e watched her grow into a strong leader so I was happy to hear this from her.SA国际影视传媒�

Mackenzie, who was born in Behchoko and now lives in Yellowknife, began her mining career in 1998. She first worked in human resources for the Diavik diamond mine, and then at the Ekati mine. She later joined De Beers SA国际影视传媒� the company that majority owns the Gahcho Kue diamond mine SA国际影视传媒� as a community liaison, before finally taking her current role with the Tlicho Government.

NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, the organization behind the Geoscience Forum and MAX awards, noted in a news release that Mackenzie has had a big impact in terms of cultural awareness in the mining sector, and commended her for her role in De BeersSA国际影视传媒� Books in Homes program, which saw her visit schools across the Great Slave Region for more than a decade.

SA国际影视传媒淩emaining passionate about her culture and people, Grace represents the Indigenous perspective,SA国际影视传媒� the release said. SA国际影视传媒淕raceSA国际影视传媒檚 decades of experience and commitment to cultural respect and equity, along with her knowledge and professionalism, provide informed guidance to mining industry professionals and their employees across the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淕raceSA国际影视传媒檚 warm and honest approach also encourages positive working relationships between the territorial government and Indigenous communities.SA国际影视传媒�

Mackenzie said receiving the award was particularly meaningful because it came from her peers in the mining sector.

SA国际影视传媒淚 appreciate this award as it came from my colleagues,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檝e seen me work, seen my work, worked with me, and I guess they appreciated what I did for my people, my Tlicho people, and other Indigenous communities.

SA国际影视传媒淚 feel that the Northern mining industry is a family in its own and I appreciate the award as it also comes from them.SA国际影视传媒�

Mackenzie also took a moment to acknowledge the many other hard-working women in the mining sector.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey sacrifice so much, especially around family and personal life,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey are amazing, they deserve recognition for their sacrifice, as do their families who pick up the slack in their absence.SA国际影视传媒�

When asked if she had any advice for women hoping to enter the mining sector, Mackenzie responded, SA国际影视传媒淣o,SA国际影视传媒� asserting that women SA国际影视传媒渒now what they want and how to do the job.SA国际影视传媒�

Instead, she offered some wisdom to people in management roles.

SA国际影视传媒淸Women] are fine, but they need a door to be open to them by management,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淢y advice would be to management: hire women, train them, appreciate them. You will not regret the decision to hire women.SA国际影视传媒�