Unusually, Yellowknife played host to two sets of mining industry awards this week. Here’s a round-up of who won what.
Some behind-the-scenes friction led to a situation where the Max Awards took place on Tuesday and the Hearts of Gold event was held two days later. Normally, Yellowknife Geoscience Forum week only involves one such gala.
You can read our earlier reporting to learn how that came to pass. On this page, we’ll focus on the winners.
In a news release, Max Awards organizers said they had given out 11 awards at Tuesday’s ceremony.
The winners were:
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- Distinguished Service: Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty
- Economic Leadership: Arctic West Transport
- Social Responsibility: Kelly Brenton
- Environmental Responsibility: Native Women’s Association and Diavik Diamond Mine
- Excellence in Innovation: LI-FT Power
- AESC Nation-Building: Tłı̨chǫ Government and Yellowknives Dene First Nation
- Indigenous Achievement: Yellowknives Dene First Nation
- Women in Mining and Energy NT Achievement: Betty Anne Nickerson
- WSCC Safety: Prairie Creek Mine / Norzinc
- Special Achievement: Matt Vincent
- Northern Women’s Mining Leadership: Lisa Riley
Proceeds from a fundraising auction at the event went to the Yellowknife Community Fundraising Club’s Adopt-a-Family program.
“The Max Awards acknowledge and celebrate trailblazers, innovators and achievers and their ongoing commitment to the economic, social and cultural well-being of those participating in the mining industry,” organizers stated.
Thursday’s Hearts of Gold event featured four awards:
- Industry: Diavik Diamond Mine
- Indigenous: Metcor
- Trailblazer: Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Det’on Cho Environmental, LI-FT Power
- Women in Mining and Energy Trailblazer: Mary Hewitt
“It’s a tough act to follow for anybody who closes a mine after they are done,” outgoing NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines president Kenny Ruptash said of Diavik, presenting the industry award. (Tim Syer was elected the new president of the chamber this week.)
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Metcor was recognized for economic vision and leadership. “We’re very honoured to receive this award, and it’s a big moment for the North Slave Métis Alliance and Metcor,” company representatives said.
LI-FT Power and YKDFN-owned Det’on Cho Environmental received their award for creating a “world-class” environmental baseline monitoring program that offers “significant training and employment opportunities, along with long-term career development opportunities, all while honouring the stewardship of the land, economic self-determination and local knowledge.”
The late Mary Hewitt passed away in June after decades in the field of geoscience and revegetation. Mary’s husband, Dan, received her trailblazer award on her behalf.
“Mary never did anything for accolades. It was always for the love of the job and her confident belief in what she was doing,” he told Thursday evening’s audience.
“It is an incredible honour to be accepting this award for Mary. She would be deeply, deeply touched.”
The Hearts of Gold event raised around $20,000 for the YWCA NWT, organizers said.
