A translator and interpreter for four decades, Mary Rose Sundberg says she understands the importance of language in both individuals and communities flourishing: SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the things I see often happening is that as soon as someone finally realizes that they want to change their life, their way of life, the way theySA国际影视传媒檙e living their life, they want to they go on this healing journey. And one of the first things people usually reach out to is they say, SA国际影视传媒業 want to learn my language, I want to relearn my way of life, my culture, my traditions.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淵our language and your culture is like a lifesaver.SA国际影视传媒�

If elected in Tu Nedh茅-WiilidehSA国际影视传媒檚 six-way race on Feb. 8, she says she will advocate for more funding for the promotion of local languages.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 time that the government set aside some money for upgrading, to learn your language and to learn your cultural ways,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Sundberg previously served four terms as councillor for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and was a board member of the District Educational Authority for almost 19 years.

Having grown up in Dettah, and currently in discussions with community leaders, Sundberg says she is coming to understand the challenges faced by the districtSA国际影视传媒檚 three small communities.

Among the most significant of these challenges are housing and home ownership.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the rules and policies and regulations need to be reviewed as well, because right now, it seems like itSA国际影视传媒檚 preventing a lot of people to own or buy homes, because weSA国际影视传媒檙e either living on Crown or CommissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 land, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e not able to use any of that for collateral to get a loan,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd some of the programs that they have [benefit] certain people only: they fall into a certain brackets, whether you make too much money or not enough, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 just a small window of opportunity so that people can access money for repairs or anything like that. So that too, is a concern.SA国际影视传媒�

She said she also wants to promote culturally-appropriate health and wellness services in the district.

SA国际影视传媒淚 know one of the issues that everyone is having all over the place is wellness, healing, on the land treatment programs, language and culture and history,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Although she is running in a competitive six-way race, Sundberg said she hopes her contributions to the community will set her apart from the rest of the candidates.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping that the other communities can recognize the things ISA国际影视传媒檝e done for my own people here, [that] they would recognize in other communities that maybe I could do the same for them in their communities,SA国际影视传媒� she said.