For their contributions to advancing equality in their communities and the territory at large, Doreen Arrowmaker and Tammy Roberts were celebrated Saturday at the of NWT Wise Women awards. 

Recognized her work with the Foster Family Coalition, the Royal Canadian Legion and the SideDoor Youth Centre, Roberts said she is honoured to receive this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 North Slave Wise women award.  

In acknowledgement of her achievements, Roberts said her kids are always pushing her to be better. SA国际影视传媒淲e cannot do what we do unless we have a family behind us,SA国际影视传媒� Roberts said. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 why, she told attendees, she is accepting the award on behalf of herself and her family. 

Having cared for approximately 250 children as a foster parent, Roberts said people often call her a saint, however, SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 the same as everybody else,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 stubborn, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 give up, and I want other people to know that they can have a huge impact on somebody and they just donSA国际影视传媒檛 know it.SA国际影视传媒�

As the wise women award recipient from the Tlicho region, Arrowmaker echoed RobertsSA国际影视传媒� sentiments of gratitude. 

SA国际影视传媒淚 didn't grasp the vastness of this, what it means to be a role model,SA国际影视传媒� she said. 

Arrowmaker has worked for the Gameti Housing Authority for the last six years, and was narrowly defeated in her bid to become chief in the last election SA国际影视传媒� the first woman in Gameti to ever run for the position. She recently received a MasterSA国际影视传媒檚 degree in Global Management and hopes to one day pursue a PhD. 

SA国际影视传媒淚'm always for women in equality, I stand for what's fair and just. I try to help women advance to a greater destiny,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Daphne Apples, ArrowmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 niece who travelled with her from Gameti, said she is inspired by her aunt. SA国际影视传媒淪he makes me want to do something great,SA国际影视传媒� Apples said.

Louise Elder, executive director of the Status of Women Council, called the award ceremony SA国际影视传媒渁 reason to stop and celebrate.SA国际影视传媒�

She said itSA国际影视传媒檚 a time to honour these women for their contributions, with the knowledge that there are so many other women out there making contributions to their communities too. 

SA国际影视传媒淚t encourages us to just make that space to think about how far we've come in advancing gender equality in our territory, and how far we have to go,SA国际影视传媒� she said. 

In comparing her experiences to those of her daughters, Elder said its clear progress has been made but notes the Covid pandemic as having forced steps backwards in achieving gender equality. 

More women have lost jobs, more women have had to make sacrifices in their career or family lives and the risk of violence has escalated during the pandemic, Elder said. 

As the minister responsible for the Status of Women, Caroline Wawzonek acknowledged that she was honoured to be present at the celebration in her role of minister, though the history of inequality underlying the need for the celebration, SA国际影视传媒渋s one where women were not always seen or acknowledged," she said. 

"Today, we are celebrating wise women who have helped create a better world and more equitable future for all. The women who received this award are stories to inspire us all.SA国际影视传媒�