Tsiigehtchic band manager and Tuk SAO recognized for leadership

Two local government officials from the Beaufort Delta were crowned winners at an awards ceremony in Behchokǫ̀ last week.

Chavaughn Blake of the Gwichya Gwich’in Band Council was declared Band Manager of the Year at the 2025 Local Government Administrators of the NWT (LGANT) conference and award ceremony.

Tuktoyaktuk’s Holly Campbell won Senior Administrator of the Year.

LGANT executive director Melanie Murphy said nominations for the annual awards come in from members of the public, employees of those nominated, and “various other people who recognize the hard work and dedication they show.”

“They are both such great and deserving individuals,” Murphy told Cabin Radio.

She said Blake’s nomination had described her as a role model and inspiration to everyone in her community, noting the significant impact of her dedication and leadership.

Meanwhile, Campbell’s nomination stated she has successfully implemented and completed programs many before her could not, showing her determination. Murphy added that Campbell’s extensive volunteer work is greatly appreciated and demonstrates her deep commitment to her community.

Blake, who is from Tsiigehtchic, said winning the band manager award meant a lot to her both personally and professionally.

“It is nice to be recognized for the work that is being done. January will be my third year and it was my first time in local governance,” she said.

For the past year, she said, the biggest issue facing the community has been drugs and alcohol, alongside a lack of policing and health services. Despite that, on-the-land and cultural activities “always have a positive impact on the community.”

“Teaching that to the youth will carry on for years,” she added.

‘Recognizing others is important’

Campbell began working for Tuktoyaktuk at the age of 15 as a recreation programmer and has since held a variety of positions at the hamlet.

Now in her second year as senior administrator, she said the award reflects not just her work but the efforts of the entire community.

“I always knew that I wanted to work for my hometown as I truly believe that it takes a whole community to raise a child – and I was raised here, a lot of community members had an influence during my upbringing,” she told Cabin Radio.

“So I have always taken part in volunteering or helping where I can, when I can.”

Campbell passed her local government administration exam in 2014 while working as an SAO trainee, later completing two college diplomas and a bachelor’s degree.

She paused a second degree to accept the SAO role and said she plans to continue her post-secondary education when the time is right, after discussing it with her husband and children, who she described as patient and supportive throughout her studies.

Reflecting on the past year, Campbell identified climate change as one of the most significant challenges facing Tuktoyaktuk. The community is trying to adapt to and mitigate impacts like coastal erosion.

“I know this is a common challenge with other communities as well. Some communities are affected in many ways and our community has been faced with impacts for years,” she said.

Campbell pointed to the restart of the community’s interagency committee as one improvement she believes will have a lasting impact.

According to her, the committee brings together agencies including the RCMP, social services, the hamlet, health and wellness programs, volunteer groups and others to share resources, coordinate services and support residents.

“I commend the interagency meetings and all those who are involved – it is a great way to achieve success, working together to support, encourage, share ideas [and] resources,” she said.

Speaking about her longterm goals, Campbell said she has always been drawn to work in reconciliation and believes strongly in the need to break cycles.

She hopes to one day use her own story and experiences to contribute to that field, though she’s still figuring out what that role might look like.

“Recognizing others is very important and also a tool in addressing lateral violence with lateral kindness. The nominators, too, should get just as much credit for recognizing others and their efforts,” she said.

“The hamlet team – staff, mayor and council – are also recipients of the award because we work as a team, and there is no ‘I’ in team.”