Joe Handley is one of four former Canadian premiers being honoured with this year’s Symons Medal.
The annual award recognizes people who have “made an exceptional contribution to Canadian life.”
“I was very honoured,” Handley said of receiving a phone call asking if he would accept the award.
“There’s some pretty impressive people who have received the medal over the years, and impressive people who are receiving it this year, and I’m pretty proud to be part of that group.”
Handley was an educator before he moved to the NWT in 1985 to become deputy minister of education. He worked as a civil servant in the territory for more than a decade.
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He was first elected to the NWT Legislative Assembly in 1999, where he held several cabinet portfolios then served as premier from 2003 to 2007.
‘An example of high esteem’
Handley currently serves as chair of the Aurora College board of governors.
“Being chosen as a recipient of the Symons Medal is an example of the high esteem in which Joseph Handley is held both within and outside of the NWT,” Aurora College president Dr Angela James said in a statement.
“Aurora College is grateful that he has chosen to bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to our board of governors and his position as chair.”
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Handley has previously been honoured with the Queen Elizabeth Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and an Aboriginal Achievement Award.
The Symons Medal presentation will take place at Prince Edward Island’s Confederation Centre of the Arts on October 15. The event, which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Symons Medal, will be streamed live.
Each medallist will give a short lecture before joining a panel discussion moderated by the CBC’s Rosemary Barton.
Handley to speak about issues Indigenous people face
Handley said he plans to speak about the “badly outdated” Indian Act, self-government agreements, and Canada’s opportunity to show leadership since adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“I’ve spent my life, as a northern Indigenous person, dealing with issues that our Indigenous people face within Canada, but particularly in the Northwest Territories,” he said.
“Around that is my belief that community leaders and parents have a responsibility for each other and for their families, and that’s how they lived for thousands of years before Europeans ‘discovered’ Canada, and without paternalistic control by federal government.”
The other recipients of this year’s Symons Medal are former BC premier Christy Clark, former Quebec premier Philippe Couillard and former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna.
Previous noted recipients include former senator Murray Sinclair, environmental activist David Suzuki, journalist Shelagh Rogers, diplomat Bob Rae and Governor General Mary Simon.
The medal is named for late professor Thomas HB Symons, the founding president of Trent University, who was recognized for his work in the field of Canadian Studies.
