Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to use my Member’s statement to speak about two accomplished Yellowknife women. Arlene Hache and Lyda Fuller are both well-known non-government organization leaders at the Centre for Northern Families and at the YWCA. Both of these women work diligently and tirelessly on behalf of all NWT women and families who are in need. These talented ladies have just demonstrated their skills and commitment at a national conference: the first ever Canadian Forum on Housing and Safe Communities for Women. They were presenters at several sessions.
A few years ago both the Y and the Centre for Northern Families collaborated with the Yukon and Nunavut women’s organizations to research women’s homelessness in the North. That research was compiled into a valuable report entitled, You Just Blink and It Can Happen: A Study of Women’s Homelessness North of 60. Ms. Hache and Ms. Fuller presented that research project at one of the conference breakout sessions this past Monday. In addition, Ms. Hache presented at another breakout session on Tuesday on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder and Women’s Health, and she was a panellist for the closing plenary yesterday.
The NWT is blessed to have such accomplished, nationally recognized women working to provide better living situations for NWT women. Housing is a huge issue in all of our communities, and the work that these ladies and their organizations do on behalf of northern women provides the NWT with a vital part of the continuum of housing that we need in the North.
Many women move here to the NWT capital and then become at risk. When they do, their saviours are the Centre for Northern Families and Ms. Hache, and the YWCA and Ms. Fuller. For Ms. Hache, a resident of Weledeh, and Ms. Fuller, a Frame Lake constituent, their goal is to provide the following for their clients. This is a quote from Susan Scott, who is the author of a book entitled, All Our Sisters, “Home is about safety. A home where they can sleep unmolested, where their children are safe and their treasures secure.” I hope that this government agrees with that goal and that we will soon see that goal accomplished.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
