In Aklavik, N.W.T., new all-female band council ready to get to work

On Friday, the Aklavik Indian Band swore in six female band councillors for six band council spots — for what multiple community members told CBC is the first time ever.

The official results of the band's election on Oct. 21 were announced last week. Women won a strong majority of the seven votes. Only the chief's job went to a man: Randy Ryan Edwards.

Returning band councillor Rita Arey was one of those elected, alongside Cassandra Paul Greenland, Mildred Edwards, Kathy Greenland, Velma Illasiak, and Shirley Koe. 

Arey said she doesn't have any particular theories about how Aklavik ended up with such a strong majority of women on council, but she is glad it happened.

"I was very impressed and very thankful," she said, remembering the moment she heard the results.

Arey's excited because she believes the female councillors will bring a needed focus on addressing social issues in the community and fostering wellness.

"With a majority of women on council, you're going to see a lot more programs happening that are much needed in the community. I mean you look at all the social issues, and that is where women are very strong," she said.

"We'll touch the heart of our community."

Building on success of Aklavik wellness centre

Arey said she is hoping the new council will be able to add new wellness programs to address grief and trauma and help community members who have turned to drugs and alcohol.

She is also hoping the new council will be able to build on the success of existing programs in the community —including a new emergency shelter for women and children experiencing violence.

The emergency shelter opened on Aug. 30, Arey said, after much hard work by the Aklavik band manager and wellness co-ordinator to secure funding.

The emergency shelter, which is housed in the community's wellness centre, is open every week from 4 p.m. on Friday to 8 a.m. on Sunday. It has two bedrooms, with space for about four people, Arey said.

"You know, Monday to Friday, everything is kind of normal in your community, like kids going to school, people going to school. It's on the weekend that it's kind of a crisis," she said.

She said the shelter is already being accessed fairly regularly, which is impressive for such a new program.

The wellness centre is also the hub for many other programs in Aklavik during the week.

Some of those programs include a women's support group, men's teepee talks, the pathways housing support program, a food bank, and a free breakfast program which is open to the whole community every weekday.

It hosts a breakfast program which runs every weekday, adult drop-in and a women's support group, among other things. 

"You look at a small little community like Aklavik … and providing this service that wasn't here before is definitely making an impact." 

She is hopeful that the new chief and council will be able to make even more change.