N.W.T. Native Women's Association puts off election

The Native Women's Association of the N.W.T. has put off electing a new president and board until next March after a poor turnout at its annual general meeting.

Only about 10 voting members showed up at the meeting in Yellowknife on Tuesday.

"I dont feel in my heart that I can go forward with this," said Bren Kolson, a voting member from Yellowknife. "There are not enough people to elect a new president."

Kolsonsaid there shouldhave be representationfrom all Northwest Territories communities.

The current interim president, Marilyn Napier, was happy when the motion to postpone the election passed.

"It gives us more time to do the work that we really need to do to bring in more representation for the North," she said.

Shirley Tsettasaid business should have gone on as planned and that the empty seats reflect years of frustration from internal conflictthat members don't want to be a part of.

"Today is an indication of where we are because of what's been going on with the organization," she said. "So to delay the business, it's sort of like putting a Band-Aid on a problem that's been going on for years."

Despite the rocky start, the women ended the meeting by talking about the issues on the horizon, such as resource development and devolution.

Those issues will be on the agenda at a special general meeting next March to elect the new president and board. Delegates hope thatwinter roads,and access to more funds, will bring in more representatives from all NWT communities then.