2018 Recipients of the Order of the Northwest Territories announced

2018 Recipients of the Order of the Northwest Territories announced

(YELLOWKNIFE) Wednesday, October 24, 2018 – Tim Mercer, Secretary to the Northwest Territories’ Honours Advisory Council, is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of the Order of the Northwest Territories as:

- Mr. Les Carpenter (awarded posthumously)
- Mrs. Lillian Elias of Inuvik
- Ms. Sharon Firth of Yellowknife

The Order of the Northwest Territories, established in 2013 by the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act, recognizes individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the NWT or elsewhere. It is the highest honour awarded to NWT residents. A member of the Order can wear the insignia of the Order as a decoration and use the initials “O.N.W.T.” after his or her name.

“These three recipients have made differences in the lives of northerners in a number of ways, they have each been role models for youth in the territory and have made a difference in people’s lives,” says Mr. Mercer. “Mr. Carpenter is being recognized for his role as a northern leader in communications; his family will receive his Order posthumously as he passed away following a short battle with cancer earlier this year. Mrs. Elias is receiving the Order for her work with the Inuvialuit language and for being a strong advocate for the revitalization of the Indigenous Languages. Ms. Firth was nominated for her outstanding athletic achievements, her advocacy work in sports and recreation and for her years of volunteering for a number of northern sports organizations. Each of these northerners are deserving of this honour and inspire us to expand our horizons and give back to our communities.”

The induction ceremony will take place in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife on Tuesday, October 30 at 11:30 am. The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, will lead the ceremony in her role as Chancellor of the Order.

The ceremony is open to the public and the media are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact:

Danielle Mager
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-767-9130 ext. 12017
E: danielle_mager@gov.nt.ca