Three ‘outstanding residents’ named to the Order of the Northwest Territories

Mary Teya, Helen Balanoff and Richard Hardy to be honoured next week at the Legislative Assembly


Order of the NWT. (Image courtesy of the Legislative Assembly)

Posted By: CKLB News October 9, 2024

Three outstanding residents will be honoured with the 2023 Order of the the Northwest Territories at a ceremony next week in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly.

The recipients are:

  • Mary Teya of Fort McPherson, nominated for her contributions in Community Leadership. Fort McPherson’s Teya is celebrated for her dedicated community leadership. She is renowned for her advocacy for elders, utilizing her Gwich’in Language to share its knowledge and engage in a wide range of community initiatives. Teya has served on the Tetlit Gwich’in Band Council and the NWT Elders Committee. Known for her commitment to organizing holiday events and activities, she spent years devoted to St. Matthews Church, where she shared her expertise in the Gwich’in language with younger generations.
  • Helen Balanoff, now living in Victoria, nominated for her contributions in education. Balanoff is a long-time northerner who moved to Cambridge Bay in 1974 from Scotland and lived in Yellowknife from 1981 to 2018. For over 40 years, she led initiatives in education, literacy, and learning, advocating for the educational rights of all children and adults. She made significant contributions to community-based literacy programming, culture-based education, and Indigenous literacy projects.
  • Richard (Rick) Hardy, now living in Nanoose Bay, BC. Hardy is a long-time northerner, born in Tulita, who lived in Inuvik and Yellowknife for over 50 years. Nominated for his contributions in professions and other occupations. A pioneer from the Great Bear Region, Hardy earned his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan, becoming their first lawyer. He also served as president of the Metis Association.

The Order of the Northwest Territories, established in 2013, 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, stated a release today.

A member of the Order can wear the insignia of the Order as a decoration and use the initials O.N.W.T. after their name.

The ceremony will take place Thursday October 17 at 11 a.m. and is open to the public.

The Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Hon. Gerald Kisoun, will preside over the ceremony as Chancellor of the Order.