OTTAWA, ONTARIO ( May 10, 2010) The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians issued the following statement today on the passing of Bertha Allen, a prominent advocate for Aboriginals and Northern women.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Bertha Allen, who passed away Friday.
Bertha Allen has been a life-long activist for social change and the advancement of Aboriginal and northern women. She was President of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women of the Northwest Territories, founding President of the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories and former President of the Native Women's Association of Canada. In May 2010, she was honored with the Governor General's Northern Medal for her work promoting aboriginal women.
Bertha Allen was born in Old Crow, Yukon. She lived most of her life in the Mackenzie Delta region of the Northwest Territories.
For more information, please contact:
Minister's Office
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
(819) 997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 953-1160
