The NWT Status of Women Council

Board members are appointed by the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. The Board is comprised of six (6) members and each member represents a region of the territory. Board members serve for a term that is up to three years. The Board typically meets face-to-face twice a year and holds additional virtual meetings as required. The Board directs the agency’s activities and efforts to achieve our vision and mission. Accordingly, our Board is a group of women dedicated to improving the lives of women in the territories. They seek to empower women, to end violence against women and children, and to achieve equality.

Our Board members

Stephanie Beaverho

Tlicho Region, Whati
Appointed August 2022

Biography pending

Anna Pontikis McLeod

Deh Cho Region, Fort Simpson
Appointed August 2022

Anna (pronouns: she/her) is a NWT transplant hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Metis). This lifelong Prairie woman moved to Fort Simpson (Liidlii Kue) in January 2021 during a global pandemic to join her husband who had moved to the community in 2019 to take on a role as the Community Social Worker. The Dene and Metis cultures were familiar and welcoming, so it has been a good transition to her new home in the Dehcho Region.

Her challenge was how to meet people and get to know her new community. Short answer – dive in and get involved with acts of service. Joining Open Sky Society Art Collective as a board member, planning financial literacy programming and being a sub teacher at the high school before starting a job with the GNWT immersed her in the community right away. Enjoying a few summers in the Dehcho has been worth the move itself.

Anna believes service to others is the uplifting of that person. Whether it is through education, knocking down barriers in the workplace, making someone a pot of moose meat stew - she does it in a supporting and trauma informed manner. Anna’s areas of service include:

Home - modelling the behaviours and attitudes she works so hard to exemplify,

Work - conducting herself in a way that is supportive and appropriate while participating in workplace initiatives that support women

Local Community - involvement in the organizations and clubs that support the growth of women

Larger Community - Region or Territory wide involvement/activism to educate

Her past board/volunteer experience include The Princess Shop Mentorship program, Junior Achievement Canada, Saskatoon Indian & Metis Centre Centre, OUTSaskatoon (2SLGBTQA+ Community Centre) and Women in Leadership Saskatchewan. Anna attended the University of Saskatchewan for a BSc in Biology and Saskatchewan Polytechnic for an Associate Degree in Business majoring in Business Human Resources. She spent the last 15 years working in HR for the Saskatchewan Health Authority and then TD Canada Trust as a trusted Financial Planner.

She is the proud wife of Jason and super supporter of her 20-year-old son Dakota who is the youngest President of the Indian & Friendship Centres (Saskatoon Chapter) and owner of His Bead Store – a Metis collective that supplies beading supplies, art, furs, pow wow regalia and educational materials to Saskatchewan, Alberta, and NWT.

Rita Arey

Acting President

Beaufort-Delta Region, Aklavik Appointment May 2022

Rita is Metis and she is born and raised in Aklavik. Rita was privileged to grow up with her grandmother who spoke Gwich’in fluently. She also had her late mother, aunts, and extended family to guide and support her. These strong women in her life showed leadership, compassion, mental and emotional strength, and spirituality. Rita has always had a passion to help others and is a strong leader and advocate for her people.

Since 2016, Rita has been on the Aklavik District Education Council. She finds this very rewarding as she has been involved in the hiring of new teaching staff, and in the day-to-day activities of the school. Rita worked in the public sector with GNWT for over 37 years and retired from the Department of Health and Social Services in 2015.

She demonstrates a commitment to women in leadership through her professional and personal life and is looking forward to advancing the Council’s mandate and objectives. As a Board Member, Rita will strive to uphold the role and image of the Council, as a public agency mandated to advance equality for women and girls.

Delphine Pierrot

Sahtu Region, Fort Good Hope Appointed June 2021

Delphine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Council. Fort Good Hope is her home community and she was their first female Chief. Delphine has vast experience in the social services, including being a probation officer, community health representative, and wellness worker.

Delphine returned to college in 2008 and graduated from their social work program. Her dedication to serving her people is evidenced by her returning to the Sahtu where she has worked as a social worker for many years. Delphine is currently the Sahtu Supervisor to the Health Family Program Team.

Delphine also volunteers extensively and sits on numerous committees and boards. During her free time, she enjoys being with family, friends, travelling, and she has a passion for cooking and baking.

Shelley Browne

Acting Vice President

North Slave Region, Yellowknife Appointed January 2022