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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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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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.
“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).