Minister Jackson Lafferty Honours Life of Beaufort Delta Elder

Communiqués de presse

Sept. 2, 2011 - Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Jackson Lafferty, today expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Beaufort Delta elder Elizabeth (Liz) Hansen, who passed away recently after a brief illness. Ms. Hansen was a respected educator who dedicated her life to the promotion and preservation of the Gwich’in language.

“It is with a heavy heart that I express condolences to the Hansen family today,” said Minister Lafferty. “Ms. Hansen was a valued and well respected member of the Beaufort Delta Education Council and an exceptional advocate for the education of our students. Her knowledge of and enthusiasm for the Gwich’in language will forever be remembered through her work with the Gwich’in language curriculum.”

Ms. Hansen enrolled in the Teacher Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan in September 1959. She earned her teaching certificate in April 1961 and returned to the Northwest Territories to begin her teaching career.

Liz began teaching in Hay River and spent time teaching in Tulita before moving to Inuvik. She retired in 1993 but was called back to teaching almost immediately as the Gwich’in Language Instructor at Samuel Hearne Secondary School until June 1995.

Liz continued to working with the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council as a Consultant for Gwich’in Language Instruction. Even as her illness progressed, Liz made valiant efforts to continue her work as a Gwich’in Language Curriculum Developer. Although she was already requiring the use of a wheel chair, she attended the Beaufort Delta Aboriginal Student Achievement regional forum in May 2011.

When it was evident that Liz required hospitalization toward the final days of her illness, her conviction to complete the work that she started was still very strong. Liz requested an office space at the Inuvik Regional Hospital and, with the support of caring staff, a small office was created so that Liz could work on the Gwich’in Language Curriculum.

Ms. Hansen’s dedication and commitment to education in the Northwest Territories was remarkable. She was passionate about ensuring that the Gwich’in language and culture is sustained through the continued education of children and youth.

For more information, please contact:

Ashley Green
Public Affairs Officer
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-3059
Email: ashley_green@gov.nt.ca