Into the North

              concerning health services, better housing, homemaking courses and liquor laws. These recommendations were suggested by the delegates in an open discussion. It is gratifying to note the Territorial Council and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, have given consideration to these recommendations and some have been adopted. The delegates were most enthusiastic that at a future date another Convention be held. To facilitate the arrangements for such a meeting, provision was made for the setting up of an Executive Committee, which would be composed of an appointed member from each Women's Institute in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. This Convention developed a deeper understanding of the value of the W.I. in isolated communities where all, regardless of race, colour or creed, can work together for the improvement of HOME AND COUNTRY; where leadership is developed; where pride in their heritage is fostered through native craft work; and where an awareness of other women's problems, in Canada and around the world, is learned. HERE AND THERE WITH THE DELEGATES

The Sunday prior to the Convention was set aside for an afternoon tea in honour of Mrs. Matheson. It was a beautiful afternoon but very few ladies of Inuvik attended. We learned later that the women went out picking cranberries and fishing, for, as one lady said, "We never know when the cold weather will come and then we cannot get fish nor pick berries". From Inuvik Radio Station is broadcast, at specific times of the day, news of coming events and of local interest. By listening to these broadcasts, the peop]e of the outlying settlements know what is taking place. It was in this way that the delegates at Tuktoyaktuk knew that Mrs. Matheson was coming to visit them and for them to be ready to return to Inuvik with hel- on the chartered plane. The sound of the approaching plane was the signal for Mrs. Shead to put the coffee pot on and for the welcoming party of the two delegates and their W.I. President to meet Mrs. Matheson at the waterside and accompany her around Tuk. A delegate told of her experiences on her trapline and how her family wished that she would use a skidoo instead of her dog team. Her reaction was, always sure that she did not wish to be stranded on her line with a skidoo to reach home with her dogs. The "Pennies for Friendship" (an ACWW fund) was explained to the delegates. They were amazed to learn that they were part of that great chain of sister members around the world and they opened their purses and gave what pennies they could afford. These were after taken by Mrs. Matheson to the ACWW office in London, England, and received with deep appreciation. The ability and versatility of the native people filled us with admiration. The older women have learned by doing but the younger ones have the benefit of education. A busy mother, Mrs. Victor Allen, began her married life as the wife of a trapper. Today, she and her husband are co-editors of The Drum, at Inuvik. Another, Mrs. Ellen Binder, is a member of that Town Council, as is Mrs. Sarah Gardlund in Aklavik. Mrs. Binder is also Librarian at the Inuvik Centennial Library. One delegate surprised us by saying she went to jail every night. True, she did. She and her daughter shared the responsibility of matron at the local jail for women.

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