Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission will soon have a new director.

Therese Boullard has been the commission's director since it was established in 2004 and has decided to step down after eight years in the role.

She said there were a couple reasons she decided to move on.

"One is to be closer to friends and family, and the second reason is, after eight years in a position I think it is a good time to hand over the reins and have some change."

Boullard said the biggest change over the life span of the commission has been in people's awareness of human rights in the NWT.

"The Human Rights Commission has done a good job of getting the word out and educating people about their rights and responsibilities under the act, and there's a greater level of awareness and acceptance of it."

The commission's deputy director Deborah McLeod has been appointed by the Legislative Assembly as the new director.

She has also worked at the commission since 2004.

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