Bertha Allen
Born
Bertha Moses

1934
Died7 May 2010
OccupationActivist

Bertha Allen (née Moses; 1934 – 7 May 2010) was a Vuntut Gwitchin women's rights and aboriginal rights advocate.[1]

Early life and education

Allen was born in Old Crow, Yukon, and raised by her grandparents. At the age of 12, she was sent to a mission school in Aklavik, where she studied for 5 years. She attended Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, formerly known as Grant MacEwan Community College, to take courses in life-skill coaching and leadership.[2]

Career

Allen strove to improve health services in the Northwest Territories through 10 years of volunteer work with the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Board. For 5 years, she served as a volunteer for the Inuvik Medical Transient Centre. In 2001, she became a member of the Council of Grandmothers where she served as the liaison between the elderly of the community and the Northwest Territories government of health regarding issues around wellness and social development.[2] Bertha Allen was the founding president of the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories. She also served as the president of the Native Women's Association of Canada and the Advisory Council on the Status of Women in the Northwest Territories.[3]

Awards and accolades

  • 1987: NWT Commissioner’s Volunteer Award, highest level [2]
  • 1987: National Health and Welfare Canadian Volunteer Award[2]
  • 1999: Governor General Award[4]
  • 2005: National Aboriginal Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award [5]
  • 2006: Member of the Order of Canada[6]
  • 2009: Northern medal by governor general Michael Jean[5]

Personal Life

Bertha Allen married Victor Allen, an Inuvialuit man, and had six children.[3] Allen died of cancer in 2010.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Kurszewski, Denise M. (2006). "Herstory Month in Canada - celebrating women's achievements". National Union of Public and General Employees. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Bertha Allen - Indspire". indspire.ca. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 Kurszewski, Denise M. (December 2010). "Bertha Allen (1934–2010)" (PDF). Arctic. 63 (4): 487. doi:10.14430/arctic3346. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Governor General Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case - Status of Women Canada". swc-cfc.gc.ca. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Bertha Allen fought for equality and empowerment". Windspeaker.com. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Ms. Bertha Allen". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.