Helen Balanoff, Mary Teya and Richard Hardy will be formally inducted into the Order of the Northwest Territories this year.
The trio, who are the 2023 recipients of the territory’s highest honour, were announced by the Legislative Assembly in a Tuesday press release.
While the press release did not specify reasons for their nomination, Balanoff has worked for decades in the fields of northern education and literacy. Teya has spent her life serving Fort McPherson as a community health representative, community radio broadcaster and deacon at St Matthew’s Anglican Church. Hardy is a retired lawyer and longtime Métis leader and advocate in the Sahtu.
Established in 2013, the Order of the NWT recognizes individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the NWT or elsewhere.
Members of the order are entitled to wear its insignia and use the initials ONWT after their name.
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A public ceremony will take place in the legislature in October.
The next nomination period will be in the spring of 2025.
