January 25, 2023
Tuesday night was historic for NWT mining, as representatives from Women In Mining Canada officially welcomed the new NWT chapter of Women In Mining to the national stage.
Women In Mining NWT celebrated with a networking event at the AME Roundup conference in Vancouver. Representatives from Women In Mining Canada, Indigenous Governments, members of industry, and the GNWT were all in attendance to acknowledge the milestone and make new connections for the mining industry.
Premier Caroline Cochrane gave opening remarks at the event, speaking to the value of Women as leaders in the northern economy and drivers of community change and events. On mining in particular she said, “The NWT mining industry is no different. It has had some incredible women who have contributed to its growth and success.”
The Premier recognized many prominent figures that have shaped the NWT mining industry—figures like Angela Bigg, President and COO of Diavik Diamond Mine, and Gaeleen MacPherson from Rio Tinto’s senior management team and the new President of the Women in Mining NWT Chapter.
Following the Premier’s comments, several other key speakers addressed the room, including Maria Vallejo Garcia, a WIM National Board Member, who officially welcomed the NWT branch of Women In Mining into the National Organization.
Jackson Lafferty, Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief, was also in attendance and spoke about the contributions Tłı̨chǫ women like MacPherson have made to the mining industry as local inspirations and role models.
Sponsors for the event included Rio Tinto, Arctic Canadian Diamond Company, De Beers, and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.