Public servants and teams have been recognized for excellence and innovation in serving NWT residents at the latest Premier’s Awards for Excellence.
Premier RJ Simpson presented the 2025 awards in the Legislative Assembly’s Great Hall earlier this week.
“The Premier’s Awards celebrate the very best of our public service – people who lead with compassion, creativity and dedication,” Simpson stated.
The premier said this year’s recipients have “made a lasting difference in their communities and in the lives of residents” across the territory.
Recipients of individual excellence awards included Rena Chapple, a community health representative for the NWT’s health authority in Tulita.
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Chapple was recognized for creating innovative programs such as Elders in Motion and Nutritional Bingo, organizing an Elders’ Christmas party, and fostering intergenerational connections to promote healthy living and community wellness.
Sonia Gregory, a principal in the Beaufort Delta, was recognized for championing inclusive education, land-based learning and Indigenous worldviews in schools.
The team responsible for fuel supply via the Mackenzie Valley winter road was recognized for coordinating the delivery of 230 truckloads of fuel to Sahtu communities.
Megan Lowry and Amy Chin, street outreach community health nurses, were honoured for offering compassionate, mobile, low-barrier care to people experiencing homelessness in Yellowknife.
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The award for collaboration excellence went to the team behind the Transitional Housing for Addictions Recovery Program, a partnership between the NWT government, City of Yellowknife, Salvation Army and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
Dr Donald Giovanetto – an otolaryngologist, or doctor that specializes in treatment of the ear, nose and throat – was given the Dave Ramsden career excellence award for his more than 30 years of service.
Kristen Tanche, Dehcho First Nations’ regional health and wellness director, was presented the Kristine McLeod Emerging Indigenous Leader Award.
The NWT government said Tanche is known for her trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach to community healing and advocacy for land-based learning and youth empowerment.
