Three long-time northerners were honored with the Order of the Northwest Territories for their outstanding contributions in a ceremony at the NWT Legislative Assembly this morning.
86-year-old Elder Mary Teya of Fort McPherson was recognized for her community leadership and her dedication to preserving and promoting Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik (Gwich’in language).
She has served on the Tetlit Gwich’in Band Council, NWT Elders Committee, the Justice Committee, and was a part of the Board of Directors at Housing NWT.
“It’s a wonderful day for me,” Teya told CKLB. “All the time and effort I put into this is all worth it, and more so to my late parents and grandparents, all the Elders and people of my community.”
Teya said she will continue offering counseling and support to her community and surrounding communities.
Mary Teya is recognized for her advocacy for Elders, preserving the Gwich’in language and her engagement in community initiatives. (Josie Jiaxuan Wu/CKLB)
Richard Hardy said he was ‘happily surprised’ when he heard about being nominated.
Hardy became the first Métis lawyer in the Northwest Territories after serving as the president of the Métis Association for three years.
“I had a pretty good idea of why I was doing it, it was to come back home to work with primarily the Métis people but also the Dene in doing economic development activities where they really were in need of legal advice,” Hardy said.
“I was there to try and get my people into business and economic tracks that were available.”
For his contributions, Hardy was also given the Confederation of Canada Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Richard Hardy was born in Tulita and lived in Inuvik and Yellowknife for over 50 years. He was nominated for his contributions in laws. (Josie Jiaxuan Wu/CKLB)
Helen Balanoff moved from Scotland in the 1970s and lived in Yellowknife for almost 40 years. She now lives in Victoria, BC, and frequently travels to the NWT for work.
Balanoff was recognized for her contributions to education, where she devoted years advocating educational rights for all children and adults.
Balanoff developed the NWT school health program in the 1990s and later spent years on improving adult education. Although she has retired, she still does some work for the NWT Literacy Council.
“It may sound like you have done all of these on your own, but I’ve always been part of a team,” Balanoff said. “I’m very honored, but I share it with lots of people.”
Helen Balanoff is originally from Scotland but have lived in Yellowknife for 40 years. She was recognized for education for both children and adults. (Josie Jiaxuan Wu/CKLB)
