Bertha Allen

Bertha Allen ( Moses; 1934 – 7 May 2010) was a Vuntut Gwitchin women's rights and Indigenous rights advocate.

Early life and education Allen was born in Old Crow, Yukon, and raised by her grandparents. She was a member of the Vuntut Gwich’in Nation of Old Crow.

Career Allen strove to improve health services in the Northwest Territories through 10 years of volunteer work with the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Board. For 5 years, she served as a volunteer for the Inuvik Medical Transient Centre. In 2001, she became a member of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers where she served as the liaison between the elderly of the community and the Northwest Territories government of health regarding issues around wellness and social development.

Awards and accolades

1987: NWT Commissioner’s Volunteer Award, highest level 2005: National Aboriginal Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2006: Member of the Order of Canada 2009: Northern medal by governor general Michael Jean

Personal life and death Bertha Allen married Victor Allen, an Inuvialuk man, and had six children.

Allen died of cancer in 2010 in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada.