About the Innovation

Sarah Simon has lived a long life and, at 99 years of age, is the oldest Gwich'in woman in the Northwest Territories. She is a social innovator and a skilled linguist, whose dedication to the preservation of her culture has helped to keep the Loucheux (old French term for the Gwich'in people) language alive.

As a translator and interpreter, she has ensured that the needs of her people were met and understood by the many officials who visited the northern communities over the years. Sarah has taught the language to others, translated the Bible, the Anglican Prayer Book and Hymnbook into Loucheux, and has created audio-tape versions. She is also documenting for the Yukon Native Language Centre, the Loucheux hymns that she has memorized throughout her lifetime.

Loucheux is a difficult language to learn. The people who learned the language from Sarah, such as teachers and anthropologists, have carried the language forward. One of her former pupils is now the present Director of the Yukon Native Language Centre. She never asked payment for her services. Sarah takes great pride in the fact that has she acted as Prime Minister Jean Cretien's interpreter on a number of occasions.

Sarah's contribution towards the continuing of her native language has not gone unnoticed. She has been honoured with many awards for her lifetime of service. On April 19, 1991, she received the Order of Canada. She also received the Commissioner's Award of the Northwest Territories for her service to Fort McPherson in teaching Loucheux and translating the bible to Loucheux. Her most meaningful award, though, is the one that she received in 1945 when she became a Life Member of the Women's Auxiliary in the Anglican Church. She wears the pin that she received every day.

About the Innovator

Sarah says that when she looks back on her life she feels "like the last lost Indian."

Sarah was born on May 1, 1901 near Fort McPherson in the Northwest Territories. When Sarah was two years old, her mother, Martha Stewart, died during childbirth. As she lay dying, she told Sarah's father, Charlie Stewart, to give Sarah to his mother, Catherine Stewart, to raise, which he did. When Sarah was 10 years old her grandmother went blind. For the following 9 years, Sarah looked after her grandmother. It was the beginning of Sarah's life long career of caring for others.

Sarah wanted top go to school and her grandmother also wanted her to have an education. The local day school had closed and the only alternative was a primary residential school far to the south. When Sarah's grandmother sought the advice of a local missionary, he advised her not to send Sarah, fearing that she would never return. Instead, he agreed to teach Sarah himself. It was under his direction that Sarah learned to speak, read and write English as well as Loucheux. At home she read her bible by the light that shone through the draft holes of the iron stove. It was in this way that she perfected her language skills in both English and Loucheux.

When Sarah was 19 she married a man of her father's choice named James Simon, who was a hunter and trapper from the Yukon. They were married for 57 years before James passed away. James only spoke Loucheux and with Sarah's help he learned to speak, read and write English. Eventually, James became an Anglican Minister and, with Sarah at his side, served the Fort McPherson community for over 38 years.

Not only was Sarah active in Church life, but she also acted as the local midwife, and delivered 86 babies. As Sarah said, she delivered babies in snow, cold, heat, in town, down the river, up the river, travelling many a night by dog team through the bush with no flashlight. Sarah and James had three children, two of whom died very young. With much love in their hearts, they adopted several other children, and Sarah helped to raise many other orphaned children in the community. No person in need was every turned away from their home, including the elderly.

Today Sarah proudly says that five generations that have come from her. She says about her life, "Many sadness, many happiness. I went through many things. I believe in love. I talk. I try to please people. Even if I have the last thing they wanted, I give it to them."