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The two groups of women shown above are members of the newly organized Institute at Tuktoyoktuk, the articles: mittens, slips. parkas. jackets. coats. toy animals, small decorative rugs. etc. As they become more efficient and achieve satis- factory standards it will become a ("oâ€"operative run by the people. Such a Cooperative is now operating at Aklavik, where Mr. Latour con- ducted a previous school. I dropped in at the school frequently and enjoyed watching them at their work and chatting with them. The President of the newly organized Tuktoyaktuk Women‘s Institute attends this school. as well as several members. 1 know Mr. and Mrs. Latour's influence had considerable to do with sparking an interest in organizing. “Mrs. Semmler. President of Delta Women’s Institute at Inuvik. had given me names of women to contact. After consulting some it seemed advisable to call on these women and others and ask them to meet at Mrs. Latour's home that evening to discuss Women‘s Insti- tutes. preparatory to calling it meeting to con- sider organizing on the following night. Soon I was on my way with the young wife of the new Anglican minister, calling at homes. “The women were kindly. hospitable, inti- mated an interest and said they would come 10 Mrs. Latour’s that evening. It was evident that night and the following that they \velr corned an opportunity to go to Mrs. Latour‘s attractive home, enjoy her hospitality and drink tea out of her pretty cups. After learning something about the purpose of the Women's Institutes and how they function. they thought it wise to call a meeting the following night and they assumed responsibility to interest others in attending. The next day I made further calls on the nurse at the Nursing Sta- tion, the wife of the RCMP officer and naâ€" tives. The whites indicated their willingness to give assistance, but considered it would he lel‘ visable to appoint native officers if a Women‘s Institute were organized. “It was heartening when some sixteen ar- rived early for the meeting. After further explanation they decided to organize with the WINTER I964 first really Eskimo Institute. The officers are all Eskimo. The white women serve as an advisory committee. President. Mrs. Mary Kotokak: Viceâ€"President, Mrs. E. Latour: Secretary-Treasurer. Mrs. Lena Norberg. They would have welcomed more white officers but finally conceded by appointing an Advisory Committee of White women who had shown interest and willingâ€" ness to help but who considered it would be more beneficial if the natives assumed the re sponsibility. We will follow the progress of this Women's Institute. the first Eskimo W.|. in the Mackenzie District. with great interest. The officers are alert women who. I believe. with members. will succeed in carrying on 3 worth- while VVomen's Institute. Not long Llfth i re turned from the North they wrote that the) had already had a meeting on Sanitation led by :1 Hull“? who had taken a course at a Government Sanitation School. The Fire Chief is going to speak to them on Fire Prevention. and a ntlt'w from the Nursing Station on Health. “There is a sizable Nursing Station at Tuk with two nurses rendering a remarkable serv- ice in improving health conditions. They. doubtless. are in part responsible for two clean. healthy. happy babies I sau on my calls. One had jlhl returned from a several days fishing trip with all the family: the other was left in charge of his uilling tuelye-year-old brother while the mother went with me, "The “omen. on fishing trips for fish for the family and for the dog\. assume consider- able responsibility. One told of the hard work involved in digging down to cut out blocks. of ice for drinking uatcr. I believe. I enjoyed eating dried fish and later in Fort Smith sau- teepees with smoke escaping through a hole at the top “here dried tiin was being smoked.” Mrs. Haggerty and Miss Eadie organized another Institute at Fort Norman. On arrival ihev were met by the public health nurse and the- school teacher and were entertained over night in the home of the school teachers. Mr. and M rs. .losefik. Miss Eadie reports: "It was decided that after dinner Mrs. Hag- l9