2007 Northern Women
Symposium & Aurora Awards of Distinction

Sue Kenny, General Manager,
Community Futures Peace Liard

Community Futures Peace Liard hosted it’s second Northern Women’s Award and Aurora Awards of Distinction in Dawson Creek May 2007.

This event brings in world class facilitators providing professional development for business practitioners, managers and administrators. It is a two day event that provides an opportunity for professionals to network and exchange business cards and ideas that will help them in their businesses and workplaces. This is often a difficult exercise to undertake in the north when there is 100 km distance between most communities. The communications opportunity is tremendous. In order to spread this opportunity throughout the north Community Futures is committed to hosting this event alternately in each community. The first year it was hosted in Fort St. John, this year in Dawson Creek and next year it will be hosted in Tumbler Ridge April 2 & 3rd, 2008. Each year we learn from the previous which makes the event better and better each year.

Over 100 women participated in the 2nd annual Symposium. It was an action packed two day conference held in the new Best Western in Dawson Creek.

Anita Perry is the Vice President of Government & Public Affairs for BP Canada Energy Company and leads all external relations including, government, aboriginal, media and community relations for BP in Canada. Anita was the keynote speaker for the Aurora Awards Banquet. She delivered a motivational message for women to reach for their goals in business and careers.

Aurora Awards
37 women were nominated for the Aurora Awards. Women were nominated by their peers, co-workers, friends and family. They are women who have demonstrated strength, professionalism and success in their careers and business. All the nominees were recognized at the awards ceremony and presented with flowers. Friends and family and co-workers accompanied many of the nominees to the awards ceremony. The winners of the awards were announced at the banquet. But all nominees were formally recognized. The successful nominees were presented awards from ten categories:

Aboriginal Woman of the Year:
Linda Ashdown
Agriculture: Karen Goodings
Construction: Angele Heinriches
Education: Tanya Helton
Health & Social Services: Jane Harper
Services: Barb Smith
Business Woman of the Year Award:
Laurie Stevens
Oil and Gas: Shauna Goertzen
New Entrepreneur: Brandi Hegge
Tourism: Helene Weightman