Yellowknife (March 9, 2015) – Premier Bob McLeod, Minister Responsible for Women, marked International Women’s Day at the annual Bread and Roses luncheon hosted by the Status of Women Council of the NWT yesterday.

“In the Northwest Territories, we have made great strides for women’s equality,” said Premier McLeod. “We have many powerful women leaders who have not only contributed to their communities, but who have shaped the future of the NWT. More and more women are employed in jobs that historically only men have done, expanding opportunities, as well as social and economic prosperity.”

Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur internationally to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Premier McLeod thanked the Status of Women Council of the NWT for the work they do to support women’s equality in the North, as well as the YWCA, the Tree of Peace, the Centre for Northern Families and the Native Women’s Association of the NWT. The Premier also recognized Dene Nahjo, an organization run by young Dene women leaders that recently held a circumpolar women’s leadership conference in Yellowknife.

Premier McLeod also offered his congratulations to the recipients of the Status of Women Wise Women Awards that were given out at the luncheon. The 2015 winners are Pertice Moffitt (North Slave), Annie B. Gordon (Beaufort/Delta), Judy Lafferty (Sahtu), Maggie Sikyea (South Slave) and Caroline Bonnetrouge (Deh Cho).

“We must avoid becoming complacent and entrenched in old ways of thinking,” said Premier McLeod. “While great strides have been made, there are still people in our broader society who do not value women and girls.”

Premier McLeod recently chaired the National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Ottawa. The Roundtable was the first time in Canadian history that all Provinces and Territories, the Federal Government, and all five National Aboriginal Organizations have met.

“It is important to promote women’s equality on an ongoing basis,” said Premier McLeod. “Without a shared understanding of the abilities and value of females in our society, we will continue to experience the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.”