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In 1861, Bishop Grandin selected a site for an Oblate mission which he called Notre Dame de la Providence. Six years later, four Grey Nuns (Sister Adeline Lapointe, Sister Michel des Saints, Sister Amant, and Sister Elizabeth Ward) and two lay missionaries (Domitelle Letendre and Domitelles Lortie) arrived in Fort Providence to establish a boarding school and hospital. In 1927, a new residential school was built to accommodate students from as far off as Fort Smith and Aklavik. This institution was closed in 1958 and replaced with a new day school named after Sister Elizabeth Ward.

Alfred James Cook was born in Carmen, Manitoba on October 24, 1893. He married Ann Ritchie, who was born in Glasgow, but had been living in Edmonton. Cook graduated from a Manitoba medical school in 1924 and moved to Aklavik with his wife to set up a medical practice. They lived in Aklavik from 1924-1927 and Ann gave birth to their daughter Jane during this time. Dr. Cook later lived in Reliance, Alberta from 1927-1942, Vancouver, B.C. from 1942-1953 and then in various locations within B.C. until his death in 1961. His wife Ann died in 1945. Dr. Cook had two other children, a son, Clark and daughter, Lorraine.

The Dehcho Health and Social Services Board (DHSSB) was incorporated in May 1997 as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories' (GNWT) initiative to transfer responsibility for the administation of services to the communities. Prior to 1997, the administation of health and social service programs to communities in the Dehcho was managed by Mackenzie Regional Health and Social Services. Through a Memorandum of Agreement, the GNWT delegated responsibility for the administration of health and social services to the DHSSB. The new Board became accountable for setting the direction for health and social services to nine communities in the Dehcho region: Fort Liard, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Hay River Reserve, Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Nahanni Butte, Trout Lake, and Wrigley. The Authority administers all public health, home care and general physician services throughout the region, as well as all regional health and social services program delivery to approximately 3,300 residents.

In June 2002, The Board officially changed its name to the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority (DHSSA). The regional office of the DHSSA is located in Fort Simpson and is governed by a Board of Management comprised of nine Trustees representing the nine Dehcho communities under its jurisdication. The formal mandate of the DHSSA is to "plan, manage, and deliver a full spectrum of community and facility-based services for health care and social services." The regional office is responsible for the overall administration and management of health and social services program delivery. Delivery of health and social services programs in the communities are most commonly delivered at community health centres or other health-related facility.

In August 2016 health and social services were unified under the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSS), and the DHSSA was renamed the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, Dehcho Region.

Initially, William Hoare left Ottawa for Herschel Island to act for the Anglican Church as a missionary. He returned after five years and married Catherine Cowan, who had been training to be a nurse in Ottawa. In 1920 they traveled to Aklavik, where they were to establish an Anglican mission. The couple remained in the north until 1931, with William Hoare eventually working for the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) until 1931, when they returned to Ottawa.

During World War II, Dr. Norris Hunt flew Spitfires but was shot down and captured and was a prisoner of war for three years.
He had a private practice in Oakville, Ontario before moving to the Northwest Territories in 1968. Dr. Hunt, his wife and three teenage children moved to Inuvik after reading an advertisement in the C.M.A. Journal for physicians needed in the Arctic and was hired by the Department of Health for a one year term. His wife was a physiotherapist and she became the first part-time physiotherapist in the Inuvik Hospital, also helping to run the local Girl Guides troop. The family carried on with their interest in cross country skiing. While in Inuvik he had the opportunity to fly a Cessna 150 from time to time. When visiting nursing stations in the area there was often room for another passenger in the airplanes, so his family members took turns accompanying him. Dr. Hunt always had an interest in photography and acquired a Pentax Spotmatic camera for his journey to the North.

The Mackenzie Regional Health Service (MRHS) was a health organization created in 1988, providing public health services to Northwest Territories residents in the Deh Cho, North Slave, Tlicho and South Slave regions. Health units operating under the Service included the Fort Providence health centre, Fort Liard health centre, Fort Wrigley health centre, Fort Simpson hospital, Fort Simpson public health clinic, Hay River Public health unit, Fort Resolution health centre, Lac La Martre (Wha Ti) health centre, Rae Lakes (Gameti) health centre, Snowdrift (Lutsel K'e) health centre, Yellowknife Public Health unit and the Rae-Edzo (Behchoko) health centre, as well as lay dispensers in Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte, Kakisa, Jean Marie River, and Dettah. Headquartered in Yellowknife, the Service was enacted with a board governance model, however it was only ever managed by a public administrator as trustee. It reported to the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services (THIS) Board on matters of funding and service delivery, and received administrative and coordinating support from the Department of Health.

Reporting to the Public Administrator, the MRHS was led by an Executive Director. Divisions included Finance and Administration, Personnel Services, Nursing Administration (regional health services), Medical Travel, and Environmental Health.

The Mackenzie Regional Health Service was discontinued as an organization with changes to the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act and the Medical Care Act, and the creation of the Department of Health and Social Services in 1997. New regional health boards and authorities, including the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority (DHSSA), the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (YHSSA), and the Deninu Community Health and Social Services Board assumed management of health units previously under the MRHS.

Marion MacPhee was born in South Uist, Scotland in 1922. She transferred from Goldfields, Saskatchewan to Yellowknife in July 1941. She was employed by Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited, and worked in the company hospital. Marion left Yellowknife in October 1942, but returned in July 1946 to work in the Lakeview Café, run by Lil Bretzlaff. In April 1947 Marion married Edward Limoges in a service performed by Father Gathy. They left Yellowknife in August 1947.

Mary Craig Murphy was born in [Dawson City] Yukon, in 1909/1910. She was a graduate of Toronto General Hospital School of Nursing, and in the early part of her career worked at Fort William and northern Ontario mining communities. She served as a volunteer in the Red Cross Corps in Scotland during WWII. Mary Murphy arrived in Yellowknife on November 29, 1947 to assume the position of matron nurse at the new Yellowknife Red Cross Hospital. Her duties included hospital administration as well as nursing supervision. Within the community, Mary was active in the Daughters of the Midnight Sun and the Trinity Anglican Church. She resigned from her position at the hospital in spring of 1959 and left Yellowknife on July 23, 1959. She nursed in Burlington, Ontario in the 1960s and moved to New Westminster BC to be close to her siblings in the late 1960s. Mary died in New Westminster, BC on December 20, 1969. As a memorial to her legacy in Yellowknife, the seniors care home that opened in Yellowknife in early 1970 was named the Mary Murphy Seniors Home.

The Department of Health was established on August 14, 1978 when the Department of Health and Social Services was split to form two distinct departments in order to prepare for the eventual transfer of the responsibility for federal health services to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Health was responsible for the promotion, improvement and preservation of the health of residents of the Northwest Territories through the development of an integrated and coordinated health care system in the Northwest Territories and the provision of health care services. This department administered the Supplementary Health Programs, Medicare Programs, Territorial Hospital Insurance Services, the Professional Training Bursary Programs and funded the Northwest Territories share of the cost of services provided in the Northwest Territories by Medical Services, Health and Welfare Canada. The department established health related promotional and educational activities, such as the development of a health curriculum for schools, family life promotion, tobacco cessation promotion and lifestyle awareness programs. The Department of Health also provided a Resource Centre for health care professionals that contained library and video material. It distributed information and materials relating to health and monitored and reviewed health-related legislation in the Northwest Territories. The department served on inter-provincial and national boards that developed policies, guidelines and legislation in respect to health and provided assistance and advice to other Government of the Northwest Territories departments on health matters.

The Administration Activity within the Department of Health developed, coordinated, directed and managed the delivery of health services in the Northwest Territories. It registered persons eligible for Hospital and Medical Care Insurance, coordinated special studies and research in health care, conducted an annual audit of medical services and reviewed costs of providing health services. The Administration Activity provided a bursary in order to assist persons employed in the health field in the Northwest Territories to obtain additional training and education. Between 1979-80, a Health Information and Promotion Program was delivered in order to increase health educational material in the Northwest Territories and to increase communication between health care professionals within the Northwest Territories. Funds were provided to community programs such as the Rae-Edzo Native Women's Committee Health Awareness Program and the department worked with the Department of Social Services and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation in assisting communities in developing services for the elderly and disabled. This activity also focused on streamlining the processing of claims in the Health Management Information system and prepared to assume provincial type health responsibilities as they were contracted with the federal government. Administration introduced new legislation (Hospital, Public and Mental Health), reviewed Supplementary Health Programs and followed-up major recommendations from studies such as the Inuvik Health Care Study.

There were three main divisions under the Administration Activity. The Directorate Division included Hospital Operations and was responsible for overall departmental direction and coordination. The Hospital Operations Division coordinated the budgeting and capital project process for budget review and developed policies and legislation regarding the operation of hospitals. The Health Insurance Division implemented the benefit plans of the Department of Health. The Finance and Administration Section of the Department of Health was also included under this division. The Programs and Standards Division, which included Health Promotion and the Health Resource Centre, developed policies and procedures, reviewed and developed ordinances and regulations, coordinated and delivered Health Promotion activities and planned health services for the elderly and chronically ill.

Between 1989-90, there were changes within the Administration Activity. The Activity was now accountable for the following: the Departmental Executive that consisted of the Deputy Minister's Office, Health Legislation and Policy and Finance and Administration. The Insurance and Institutional Health Division was composed of Health Insurance, Capital Planning, Hospitals and Health Facilities and Human Resources. The Community Health and Standards was under direction of the Assistant Deputy Minister and included Community Health Services, Nursing and Dental Services and the Medical Directorate. All of the personnel and financial resources for the administration of the Department of Health were included under this activity.

Prior to the amalgamation of the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services in 1994, the Administration Activity was reorganized again and divided into the following divisions: Deputy Minister's Office, Health Legislation and Policy, Finance and Administration Repatriation Program, Community Health, Nursing Services, the Medical Directorate, Health Insurance Services, Capital Planning and Maintenance, Hospital/Health Facility Operations and Human Resource Management. Through these divisions, the Administration Activity worked with Arctic College in developing curriculum for the Nursing Education Program and produced health profiles for the northern communities. The Administration Activity also developed HIV/AIDS prevention strategies, developed standards for air medevac carriers, drafted instructions for public health act and medical profession act, developed financial forecasting methods for health insurance programs and evaluated health insurance programs.

The Supplementary Health Programs supplemented the benefits provided by the Hospital Insurance, Medical Care and Medical Transportation programs. The Extended Medical Benefit Program alleviated costs for residents who did not receive coverage provided by employers. The programs paid most costs involved with the investigation, diagnosis, treatment, maintenance and/or rehabilitation of persons with specified long-term disease conditions. In 1980-81, the Department of Health consolidated the pharmacare programs of Health and Welfare Canada, Social Services and the Department of Health into one Pharmacare Program. This resulted in the Supplementary Health Programs paying the cost of most prescription drugs for senior citizens and those persons under age 65 who had one of the disease conditions that were supplemented by the Supplementary Health Programs. As well, an Aid to Independent Living Program was added to this activity. The Pharmacare Program also covered prescription drug costs for Treaty Indians and Inuit, which were fully reimbursed by Health and Welfare Canada. Costs incurred on behalf of indigent and non-Indigenous Northwest Territories residents were recovered from the Department of Social Services.

Between 1989-90, two additional programs were added to this activity. The Seniors' Extended Health Benefits Program provided coverage for non-Indigenous and Metis residents who were 60 years and older in the areas of prescription drugs, glasses, special aids to independent living and medical transportation. The Federal Indian Health Policy was also created and administered on behalf of Health and Welfare Canada Supplementary Health Benefits to Status Indian and Inuit residents of the Northwest Territories. The Department of Health administered these benefits. Coverage included ground transportation, alcohol treatment, dental services, glasses, hearing aids and prescription drugs. In 1990-91, the Pharmacare Program and Seniors' Extended Health Benefits Program were dissolved, however, benefits that were paid through these programs were now paid through the Extended Health Benefits Program.

The Northwest Territories Share of Health Care Services Activity provided the funds required to pay the Government of the Northwest Territories' share of the medical services rendered to Metis and non-Indigenous residents of the Northwest Territories that were provided by the Medical Services Branch of Health and Welfare Canada. These services were primarily provided through the nursing stations and health centres operated by Health and Welfare Canada. Between 1988-89, health services in the Baffin Region were operated solely by the Government of the Northwest Territories. The goal was to ultimately transfer all remaining Federal responsibilities for health services to the Territorial Government. In April 1988, Health and Welfare Canada's remaining responsibilities for health services were transferred from the federal government to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Transfer brought federal facilities and staff into the Government of the Northwest Territories, together with a decentralized system under Health/Hospital Boards. These Boards were responsible for the planning, management and delivery of health care. They delivered medical, dental and other programs in their regions, managed local units and were accountable to the Territorial Hospital Insurance Board which in turn, was accountable to the Minister of Health and ensured that the residents of the Northwest Territories participated in the development and management of their health services.

The Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Activity was responsible for the administration of hospital insurance programs for Northwest Territories residents. It included payments to Budget Review Hospitals, Semi-Budget Review Hospitals and other hospitals both inside and outside the Northwest Territories where residents of the Northwest Territories received care. This activity also monitored the cost of providing health care and conducted and supported research in the health care field. It reviewed all approved plans for the construction of health care facilities and developed and expanded health care services within or associated with the Budget Review Hospitals. This activity aimed to develop an integrated and coordinated system of hospital services within the Northwest Territories. This activity was also involved in the expansion of hospital services, establishing detoxification services, planning for nursing homes, conducting studies on health care in communities and reviewed of health care programs. During 1982-83, this activity negotiated the transfer of Nursing Stations from the Baffin Region to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Between 1988-89, the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services monitored and controlled hospital expenditures and assisted hospitals in maintaining their accreditation standards. This activity recognized approved hospitals outside the Northwest Territories and funded referrals to these facilities when certain levels of hospital care was not available in the Northwest Territories. All health care in the north had to meet the requirements set out in the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act, Regulations, Policies and Standards, as well as applicable Territorial legislation and policies. In 1994-95, the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services was renamed the Health and Hospitals Board and the responsibility for providing payment for insured hospital services provided outside the Northwest Territories was transferred to the newly formed Out of Territories Hospitals Activity.

The Medicare plan covered medical services for residents of the Northwest Territories while they were receiving care both in the Northwest Territories and outside the Northwest Territories. The physician recruitment program was part of this activity and aimed at recruiting and staffing various positions across the north. In 1989, the name changed to the Medical Care Plan.

Between 1980-81, a Medical Services Contract was added to the Department of Health. The department contracted with the Northwest Territories Regional Medical Services Branch of Health and Welfare Canada to provide a financial, secretarial and office support service. All of the direct costs of providing this service were reflected in this activity. The contract was completed and dissolved in 1988 when the responsibility for health services were transferred from Health and Welfare Canada to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

In 1984-85, the Medical Transportation Activity was added to the Department of Health. This activity was responsible for paying patient and escort costs associated with the Subsidized Medical Travel and Returning Inuit Travel Programs. The financial payment for medical travel costs were processed through the Department of Health and recoveries made from the appropriate agency. Health and Welfare Canada handled the program administration for this activity at the community level.

In 1995, the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services were consolidated to form a single department called the Department of Health and Social Services.

In 1995, the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services consolidated to form the Department of Health and Social Services. The mission of the Department of Health and Social Services is to promote, maintain and enhance the health and well being of individuals and families in the Northwest Territories. In doing so, it has sole or joint responsibility for the administration of the following Acts: Aboriginal Custom Adoption Recognition Act; Adoption Act; Change of Name Act; Child and Family Services Act; Child Welfare Act; Dental Auxiliaries Act; Dental Mechanics Act; Dental Profession Act; Disease Registries Act; Emergency Medical Aid Act; Guardianship and Trusteeship Act; Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act (formerly Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act); Human Tissue Act; Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) Act; Licensed Practical Nurses Act; Marriage Act; Medical Care Act; Medical Profession Act; Mental Health Act; Midwifery Profession Act; Nursing Profession Act; Ophthalmic Medical Assistants Act; Optometry Act; Personal Directives Act; Pharmacy Act; Psychologists Act; Public Health Act; Tobacco Control Act; Veterinary Profession Act; Vital Statistics Act.

The Department of Health and Social Services is responsible for programs related to: Adoption Management; Family Support and Child Protection Services; Community Wellness; Guardianship; Mental Health and Addictions; Environmental Health, Health Insurance Services; Licensing of Professionals; and reporting of health and illness related issues to the federal government. The Department also has responsibility for the office of the Chief Medical Health Officer, which is responsible for health and disease surveillance activities across the NWT, as well as prevention and disease control activities. Community Wellness programs are designed to provide funding to communities under health related programs such as: Aboriginal Head Start; AIDS Community Action Program ; Brighter Futures; Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program; Community Action Program for Children; Health Promotion Strategy Fund; Healthy Children Initiative; Hepatitis C Prevention; Population Health Fund. Environmental health provides for the delivery of various programs and services under the NWT Public Health Act and Regulations, and focuses on preventing disease and injury; promoting health; and improving the environment through the use of education, consultation, inspection, monitoring, and if necessary, by the enforcement of public health legislation.

The primary vehicles for the provision of health care are the eight Health and Social Services (HSS) Authorities which plan, manage and deliver a full spectrum of community and facility-based services for health care and social services. The eight Authorities are: Beaufort-Delta HSS Authority; Dehcho HSS Authority; Fort Smith HSS Authority; Hay River HSS Authority; Sahtu HSS Authority; Stanton Territorial Health Authority; Tlicho Community Services Agency; Yellowknife HSS Authority.

Organizationally the Department has under gone many reorganizations and realignments of its program delivery units and renaming of its divisions. In general, the organizational structures has tended to reflect departmental responsibilities and activities with divisions responsible for: directorate and finance support activities; policy, planning and reporting activities; community health issues, population health issues, territorial health services including insurance services and administration and support of the regional health authorities; child protection and family support services.

The Department of Social Development was created in 1967 when the Government of the Northwest Territories was centralized in Yellowknife. The mandate of the Department was to provide social and health care services to Territorial residents. Originally, the Department had three divisions: Alcohol Education Program, Corrections Service and Probation Service. In 1969 the Probation Service was included in the scope of Corrections Services Division. Child Welfare, Medical Social Services and Rehabilitation, Social Assistance and Categorical Allowances were also added to the Department. Medical Social Services and Rehabilitation focused on the problems associated with illness and hospitalization as well as the special needs of aged, disabled and infirm. Correctional Services oversaw probation services, correctional institutions such as the Yellowknife Correctional Institution and the Baffin Correctional Centre in Frobisher Bay, the Correctional Camp until its closure in 1973, and the Juvenile Training Centre in Forth Smith. The Alcohol Education Program focused on individual counseling, referral and education, as well as broad-base community work on finding long-range answers to drug abuse problems. In 1970, Categorical Allowances was renamed Blindness and Disability Allowances. Child Welfare was created in 1970 due to the Jubinville Committee’s major recommendations; one of which was to integrate juvenile delinquency services with child welfare. In 1971, Health Insurance Services was transferred from the Territorial Secretary. HIS was responsible for carrying out the requirements of the Territorial Hospital Insurance Ordinance and the Medical Care Ordinance, both implemented in 1971. This enabled budgetary and funding changes for Territorial hospitals. Additionally, the Health Care Plan was created to provide health services for all Territorial residents. In 1972 Medical Social Services became Medical Social Services and Special Care. In 1973 the Department created the Community Social Services division. In 1974 the Alcohol and Drug Program was responsible for the Alcohol and Drug Co-ordinating Council, but did not list it as a responsibility past that year. In 1975 the blanket Special Services Division was created to manage the development, maintenance and coordination of community based social services in its divisions of Child Welfare, Juvenile Probation, Day Care, Homemaker Services, and Aged and Handicapped Services. By 1976 it only listed its divisions as being Child Welfare and Aged and Handicapped Services. In September 1977 the Department was renamed Health and Social Services.

The Department of the Territorial Secretary was created in 1967. It was responsible for general administrative services in the newly established Government of the Northwest Territories. It was also responsible for the administration of variety of ordinances and the Territorial Public Library Services. The department was divided into five divisions: Administrative Services Division; Labour Division; Public Library Services; Administration of Ordinances Division; and Health Services Division.

Among the duties handled by the Administrative Services Division were: the administration of the Central Registry Filing system, mail room services, stenographic services, allocation of office space; provision of equipment and furnishings communication services including telephone and telex; and printing services. The Department of the Territorial Secretary published the Territorial Gazette and all manuals related to all departments of the government.

The Labour Division administered various ordinances relevant to employee-employer relationships. Its responsibilities included maintaining liaisons with employers, employee groups and individual employees in the administration of Labour Standards and Workers Compensation. Other aspects of labour relations and safe working conditions included: Boilers and Pressure Vessels, Employment Agencies, Fair Employment Practices, Fair Wages and Conditions of Employment, Wage Recovery and Elevator and Fixed Conveyances. Because of some of these ordinances, the division worked with the federal government on mine safety, arranged contract inspectors for boilers, pressure vessels, elevators and fixed conveyances and compiled statistics for the federal government.

Territorial Public Library Services were headquartered in Hay River in the Centennial Memorial Library. Library Services supported the efforts of member libraries located in many communities including Cambridge Bay, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Iqaluit (Frobisher Bay), Holman Island, Rankin Inlet, Inuvik, Pine Point, Fort McPherson, Tuktoyaktuk Coral Harbour and Deline (Fort Franklin). Services were also provided directly to those residents whose communities did not yet have libraries. A children's library program was promoted by community libraries and headquarters.

The Administration of Ordinances Division was responsible for administering various major and minor ordinances. The major ordinances consisted of: Motor Vehicles; Public Service Vehicles; Companies; Societies; Co-operative Associations; Vital Statistics; and Change of Names. Other ordinances administered by the division included: Billiard Rooms and Bowling Alleys, Business License; Consumer Protection; Coroners; Credit Union; Dental Profession, Dog; Evidence; Herd and Fencing; Hotel Keepers; Insane Persons; Insurance; Justice of the Peace; Legal Profession; Marriage; Medical Profession; Motion Picture; NWT Public Service Association; Optometry; Pesticides; Petroleum Products; Pharmacy; Presumption of Death; Scientists and Explorers; Veterinary Profession; Cornea Transplant; Curfew; Fur Export; Game; Human Tissue; Jury; Lord's Day; Public Health; Teacher's Association. In conjunction with the Vital Statistics Ordinance, certain functions relating to maintenance of Indian Band records, preparation for treaty payments and liaison with the federal Department of Indian Affairs were required. Project Surname, a project directly connected to Vital Statistics work, sought to have all Inuit register surnames. The eventual aim was to eliminate the use of the "Eskimo disc system."

The Health Services Division was formed after the federal government transferred the administration of the Territorial Health Insurance Ordinance to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The division maintained a close liaison with hospitals in the Northwest Territories and throughout Canada. Included among this division's responsibilities were: payment of accounts, review of budgets, determination of eligibility, and the accumulation of necessary statistics.

The Department of the Territorial Secretary was headed up by H.E. Cross, the Territorial Secretary, until 1971 when it was disbanded and its responsibilities were distributed to other departments, including the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Services.

Walter Edgar Reynolds was born in Punnichy, Saskatchewan on September 24, 1925 to parents Ernest Mary (nee Vrh) Reynolds. Thelma Jean Swan was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on February 4, 1929 to parents William and Sara Lena (nee Rea) Swan.

Both Thelma and Walter were raised in Punnichy and attended school there. Walter graduated from high school early, going on to earn qualifications as a municipal secretary treasurer, secretary treasurer for larger school units, and a certificate in Hospital Organization and Management. Thelma completed high school and went on to study Medical Laboratory Technology at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

Walter and Thelma were married on August 4, 1951 and moved to Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. While at Quill Lake, they had three children, Rea, Patricia, and James. The family lived in several locations as Walter took new jobs. He was Secretary Treasurer of Village of Quill Lake and Rural Municipality of Lakeside (1951-1955), Administrative Assistant to Medical Superintendent (Dr. Frank Porth) at Qu’Appelle Indian Hospital, Saskatchewan (1955-1962), Administrative Assistant to Medical Superintendent (Dr. Dale) at Inuvik General Hospital, NWT (1962-1964), Administrative Assistant to Medical Superintendent (Dr. Campbell) at Nanaimo Indian Hospital, British Columbia (1964-1966), Regional Administrative Officer for the Department of National Health and Welfare for Northern Region under Dr. Gordon Butler in Edmonton, Alberta (1966-1970), Administrative Officer for Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Pacific Biological Stn.) under Dr. K. Allen in Nanaimo (1970-1976), and Planner for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital under Mr. Gordon Frith. (1976-1980).

Walter also served on various committees: as a member of the Hospital Management Organizations, Chairman of the North Cedar Improvement District, and member of the recreation committee for Beban Park Recreation Centre in Nanaimo. Thelma worked as an apprentice at City Hospital in Regina, then as a part-time lab technician, becoming full-time while living in Nanaimo. While in Inuvik, Walter enjoyed curling, playing softball with Davy’s Oilers, and amateur photography. After retiring, Walter and Thelma travelled extensively throughout the world.

Walter was a dedicated family man with a keen sense of humour and a deep belief in fiscal responsibility. Walter died on October 28, 2015. Thelma will celebrate her 96th birthday in 2025.

Dr. Otto Schaefer was born on October 2, 1919 in Betzdorf, Germany. He graduated from high school in 1938 with the intention of studying medicine; however in September 1939 he was drafted into the German Army and served as medical personnel at the front in France and in Russia. During the war he was able to pass his medical and surgical examinations and in the fall of 1944 he functioned as a field medical officer until April 1945 when he became a prisoner of war until July 1945. After the war, he practiced medicine in Betzdorf and resumed post-graduate studies in 1946 where he worked in several different hospitals in Germany obtaining his internal medicine specialist degree in 1950. He immigrated to Canada in June 1951 with the aim of assisting with the healthcare of the aboriginal people in the Canadian North. Before being able to practice medicine in Canada, he had to pass basic science examinations and in the fall of 1951 he moved to Edmonton where he worked at the Charles Camsell Hospital. In July 1952, Dr. Schaefer's wife joined him in Edmonton and the couple moved to Aklavik in January 1953 where she assisted him in the laboratory and accompanied him during the Eastern Arctic Patrol aboard the "C.D. Howe" between 1955-1957. Dr. Schaefer worked for two years in both the Western Arctic, Eastern Arctic and the Yukon and after further post-graduate work at the Camsell and University Hospitals in Edmonton he passed specialist examinations and became a Fellow of the Canadian and American Societies of Internal Medicine. In 1964, he became the Director of the newly created Northern Medical Research Unit. He also spent several months each year in the late 1960s and early 1970s conducting community health and nutrition surveys in the NWT and visited many communities as a member of the Water Board and Science Advisory Board. Dr. Schaefer has received several awards and honors for his work in the North and in the field of internal medicine, including the Jack Hildes Medal and Award in 1987 (Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health and the Donner Foundation); Order of Canada (1976); and the Commissioner's Award for Public Service at the Highest Level GNWT, 1985); and Centenary Medal and Award for Northern Science of Canada (1985). Dr. Schaefer currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta.

Merle Shaw was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 19th, 1921. After graduating from Western Canada High School, she began training as a nurse at Calgary General Hospitcal from [approx.] 1940-1943. Following graduation, she obtained a job at the Toronto General Hospital, where she worked until 1946. In 1947 she moved up to Yellowknife where she obtained a job as a nurse at the Red Cross Hospital (now Stanton Hospital). Throughout her time in Yellowknife, Merle established relationships with other nurses and families in Yellowknife as well as the surrounding mining communities. She returned to Calgary in 1949, where she married Ed Featherstone. She died on December 6th, 2001.