Tara Boudreau is Hay River’s 2025 citizen of the year

The principal of two Hay River schools was named the town’s citizen of the year at the second annual Community Spirit Awards on Saturday night.

Tara Boudreau is the principal of K-3 Harry Camsell School and Grade 4-7 Princess Alexandra School.

Award sponsor Northwestel’s Kevin Hashem said Boudreau found time outside those jobs to keep alive the town’s Lights On program, which gives youth somewhere to be active during the winter months, and to support youth sports.

“Tara has an open-door policy when it comes to reaching children in need. She always puts the kids first in any situation,” her nomination read.

“Thanks to Tara, the youth of today radiate more self-confidence and self-worth, which in turn fosters a happier, healthier generation.”

Boudreau told around 150 people at the Hay River Legion: “Being in this community, it makes it really easy to do what I do.”

“There’s so many wonderful youth and so many wonderful people in our community,” said Boudreau, who has worked in the town for more than two decades and received a similar award from the town’s chamber of commerce in 2017.

“Volunteering and being a part of the community – and doing all the things we can do to make it a better community – is something that is second nature.”

Pennie Pokiak was named runner-up for the award.

Heather Coakwell was inducted into the Hay River Sport and Rec Walk of Fame, which was created last year, for her dedication to the town’s figure skaters and creation of Storm Sports, which aims to introduce youth to high-level competition and sports not otherwise available in the town.

“It’s going to take me about 30 to 45 minutes to list all of the things Heather has done for the community,” said Aurora Ford’s Lee Cawson, presenting the award.

“Through Storm Sports, Heather has opened doors for young athletes. She’s provided them with the opportunities to explore and excel in sports that were previously unavailable in Hay River.”

Coakwell paid tribute to the support she receives from residents and businesses.

“It’s not just one person. The reason this community is having an event like this is because all the community members here and all the companies, they help little groups like us,” she said.

Nine awards were given out on the night.

The Community Spirit Awards were launched in 2024, in part as a response to years of challenges that had battered the town: floods, wildfires and the increasing menace of drugs and associated crime.

Premier RJ Simpson, one of Hay River’s two MLAs, told Saturday’s audience the town had needed the awards to help pick itself up in early 2024 – but he felt more of “the old Hay River” and its energy this time around.

“We do come together already in this town and we can just build on that,” Simpson said.

“We can really be a model for the rest of Canada in how we come through these serious events, because we’ve had our share and now the country is facing them as well.”

Friendship centre wins twice

Super A cashier and Hay River Youth Centre volunteer Donavin Rodger-Evans was named the town’s youth volunteer of the year, while Super A itself received the good business award for its support of local organizations.

The late Bobbi Hamilton, who passed away in October last year, was posthumously honoured as senior volunteer of the year.

Bobbi’s nomination described her as a resident who “made a profound impact on the community” in areas ranging from track and field, minor ball and minor hockey to her mentorship and guidance of others.

The Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre was recognized with both the arts and culture award and the community spirit initiative award. The centre had “become a thriving downtown rock,” one nomination read.

Gerald Dumas received the trail blazer award for his work maintaining the West Channel ice road and other trails, while Kaiah Carter was named outstanding athlete of the year for her excellence at the age of 14 in sports like hockey, soccer and softball.