Elizabeth Yakeleya (nee Blondin) a Willow Lake Dene, was born in 1906 in Norman Wells (Tlegohli) and was educated at the convent in Fort Providence (Zhahti Koe). In 1925 she married Johnny Yakeleya and they had twelve children. She is now deceased.
Sarah Simon (nee Stewart), Gwich'in, was born in the Delta on the Mackenzie River (Deh Cho) in 1901. She married James Simon, who was later ordained an Anglican minister.
Sarah travelled with James to Yukon as a missionary and served her people for many years as a mid-wife, nurse and interpreter. She translated for government officials, doctors and for her Chief, Johnny Kaye. In June 1982 she received the Commissioner's Award for her service to her people and community. Sarah Simon died in 2001. She was 100 years old. Sarah Stewart is a writer who lived for many years in the Northwest Territories.
She and her husband Bill Stewart were part of Raymond Yakeleya's team on the film We Remember. Author, activist, and filmmaker Raymond Yakeleya is Dene First Nations from Tulita, Northwest Territories. He is series co-editor of Durvile's Indigenous Spirit of Nature book series. Colette is Red River Métis and Chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations Indigenous Matters Committee.
She believes libraries have a duty and the privilege to partner with Indigenous community to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages.
Sarah travelled with James to Yukon as a missionary and served her people for many years as a mid-wife, nurse and interpreter. She translated for government officials, doctors and for her Chief, Johnny Kaye. In June 1982 she received the Commissioner's Award for her service to her people and community. Sarah Simon died in 2001. She was 100 years old. Sarah Stewart is a writer who lived for many years in the Northwest Territories.
She and her husband Bill Stewart were part of Raymond Yakeleya's team on the film We Remember. Author, activist, and filmmaker Raymond Yakeleya is Dene First Nations from Tulita, Northwest Territories. He is series co-editor of Durvile's Indigenous Spirit of Nature book series. Colette is Red River Métis and Chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations Indigenous Matters Committee.
She believes libraries have a duty and the privilege to partner with Indigenous community to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages.
