NWT Launches Daughters of the Vote Initiative: Program Encourages Young Women to Consider Politics

NWT Launches Daughters of the Vote Initiative: Program Encourages Young Women to Consider Politics

(YELLOWKNIFE) February 10, 2017 – The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Honourable Jackson Lafferty, is pleased to announce that the Daughters of the Vote NWT workshop will commence on Sunday, February 12, 2017. Daughters of the Vote is an initiative of Equal Voice; a national, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of government.

Julie Green, MLA for Yellowknife Centre, attended a Daughters of the Vote event in Saskatchewan in October 2016. Ms. Green will chair the event and the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Honourable Caroline Cochrane, has been invited as a keynote speaker. Two senior representatives from Equal Voice’s national office will also be in attendance. This event coincides with the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of women’s federal suffrage in Canada.

“Increasing the number of women who run for elected office is a priority of the 18th Legislative Assembly and it is events like these that will promote involvement of young women in Territorial politics. I am honoured to host this event and I look forward to meeting these promising young women; leaders of our future generations,” said Speaker Lafferty.

“Young women are eager to make a difference in their communities. Through this initiative, they will grow their leadership skills and gain valuable insights from women and men currently serving in office.  Equal Voice is thrilled to have the engagement of the NWT Legislative Assembly to deliver this dynamic program to diverse young women in the territory,” said Nancy Peckford, Executive Director of Equal Voice.

During the workshop, participants will take part in two panel discussions: one will focus on ‘What Works: Getting Elected in the NWT’; the focus of the second panel is on the realities of becoming an elected official; both discussions will include current and former female Members of the Legislative Assembly.  The participants will also receive presentations from the Chief Electoral Officer and the Status of Women Council. 

The participants are:

Laney Beaulieu - Fort Resolution           Nha Ly - Yellowknife
Kiera Boulanger-Rowe - Hay River        Janelle Nitsiza - Whatì
Jacq Brasseur - Yellowknife                   Caona Paulette - Yellowknife
Reannda Cli - Fort Simpson                   Alyssa Ross - Inuvik
Jaylene Delorme-Buggins - Hay River   Emily Smith - Yellowknife
Chukita Elias-Gruben - Tuktoykatuk       Brianna Taniton - Délînê
Raven Firth - Inuvik                                Olivia Villebrun - Fort Smith
Alexandra James - Fort Smith

Olivia Villebrun, along with 337 delegates from across the country, has been selected by Equal Voice to represent the Northwest Territories in Ottawa the week of March 6thth. During the three day summit, delegates will ‘take their seats’ in the House of Commons on International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Media are encouraged to request interviews with the participants. Interviews will take place on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 10:00 am. 

For more information, please contact:

Danielle Mager
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone: 867-767-9130 ext. 12018 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784
Fax: 867-920-4735
E-mail: danielle_mager@gov.nt.ca

Nancy Peckford or Jillian LeBlanc   
Equal Voice 
613-854-9793 or 613-850-9002
info@equalvoice.ca
www.daughtersofthevote.ca