Women In Mining Formally Launches NWT Chapter

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July 19, 2022

The Northwest Territories now has an formal chapter of Women in Mining, Canada’s leading organization for the promotion and empowerment of women in in mining and affiliated industries. 

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Minister Wawzonek Speaking at the Women in Mining AGM
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Caroline Wawzonek
The NWT Chapter held its first official Annual General Meeting (AGM) June 28th in Yellowknife.  It embodied an overarching theme of “Women Mentoring Women” and featured a panel presentation of leading women from the NWT’s mining community as well as an opening address from the GNWT’s Minister responsible for both mining and the equality of women, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek.

The stated mission of Women in Mining nationally is to “Educate, Elevate and Empower” all women towards a “future where the possibilities, opportunities and dreams are the same for all, regardless of gender.”

#YKGeo2019: Leadership Inspires as Women in Mining NWT Chapter Launches

In addition to contributing value to the national organization, the NWT’s chapter will work to: facilitate an increase in the representation of women in the mining industry and at all levels; and create a safe and comfortable industry, where all women feel validated and can contribute.

These goals will be achieved primarily by: promoting education programs targeted at female participation in mining; hosting networking events; and facilitating the exchange of information with other advocacy groups promoting women including the NWT mining industry and the GNWT.

Speaking largely from her own experiences as a professional woman in a non-traditional role, Minister Wawzonek held up the NWT mining industry as progressive and forward looking “not just in the new critical mineral commodities that we are readying to develop – but as a leader in how they are resourced in an environmentally and socially responsible way”.

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Deputy Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Pamela Strand
“The same collaborative agreements that have helped to set the NWT apart, and have worked to ensure employment and procurement for northern people and their businesses, are now being leveraged to ensure that the NWT’s diamond mining workforce is also properly representative of our territory and its people,” she said.

The Minister noted that NWT communities have “a ready population of smart, hardworking, community-driven individuals - that just happen to be women.”

“Gender parity within our mining workforce can only strengthen our competitive edge,” she noted.

Mandate: Increase resource exploration and development 

“Our territory is rich in resource potential, but none of it is as great as the potential that exists for young women to join our mineral and exploration sector – and to enrich it with their talents, minds, skills and vision,” Minister Wawzonek concluded. 

The NWT Chapter concluded its AGM by selecting a seven-person executive to lead its activities for the next year.  They are:    

  • President – Stacey Lymer (De Beers)
  • Vice-President – Gaeleen MacPherson (Diavik)
  • Secretary – Charlene Squibb (GNWT)
  • Treasurer – Claire Tincombe (Det’on Cho Environmental)
  • Directors - Kimberly Balsille (De Beers), Dianna Beck (GNWT), and Denise Lockett (Nighthawk Gold Corp).