The deck might be stacked against women entering politics in the Northwest Territories but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try – and hopefully take their right for a share of seats at the table.
Despite their under-representation in the political area, there are certainly plenty of role models to choose from.
At the forefront of strong-willed women are people like former NWT premier Nellie Cournoyea and the late Cece Hodgson McCauley.
Cournoyea led the the Northwest Territories before division with Nunavut, and helped the territorial government emerge into the modern governing entity it is today. She went on to become a long-serving CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
Hodgson McCauley, who died March 11 at age 95, didn’t back down from her fight for the Mackenzie Valley Highway for most of her life. She was a powerful force as the first female chief and founder of the Inuvik Dene Band. In her final words to her readership, the long-time News/North columnist made one last pitch for a Mackenzie Valley Highway that would bring jobs and opportunities to the Sahtu.
These women entered politics at a time when it was entirely dominated by men and there was little support for women to enter it. In recent times, the Status of Women Council of the NWT have been offering a campaign school for women in an effort to get more female participation in politics.
The sad reality is that even today the vast majority of public office holders are men. There are currently only two female MLAs in the legislative assembly – a number that has remained more or less consistent since responsible government began to emerge in the territory in the early 1980s.
Housing Minister Caroline Cochrane points to the Women's Campaign School as an important tool to help women get into politics. She took advantage of the program and said it was a benefit to her in many areas where she might have not had enough experience.
“I knew nothing. I don't think I would be where I am today if I didn't take part in the Campaign School. It gave me the tools, knowledge and confidence," she said.
Hopefully there will be a day when there is balance in politics and the female perspective is represented and acknowledged in our system.
There have been some powerful female voices over the years in territorial politics. Women such as Rosemary Kuptana, the first female chair of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (now ITK) and the former president of the international Inuit Circumpolar Conference; Jeannie Marie-Jewell, a contemporary political figure with Cournoyea in the late 1980s/early 1990s when both served important roles in the legislative assembly; not to mention Ethel Blondin-Andrew, a force to be reckoned with when it comes to strong Northern women, who was an MP representing the NWT for 18 years.
But while these women are all strong role models for future women leaders, their place at the table where decisions are being made, not matter what level of government, remains woefully under-represented.
This is not good for women and society as a whole. The lack of perspective means there is an imbalance when decisions are being made on behalf of all Northerners.
The only real remedy is to have more women running for office. The only thing stopping that from becoming a reality are women deciding to stay on the sidelines. So ladies, don't just vote – run!