NWT public servants recognized at Premier’s Awards for Excellence

November 7, 2024

Yesterday, the 2023-2024 Premier’s Awards for Excellence were presented in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly.

The Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence recognize the outstanding achievements of employees and partners who strive for excellence and innovation in the public service. This year’s awards highlighted the contributions of those who have gone above and beyond in service to the people of the Northwest Territories.

This year, Premier’s Awards were presented in four categories: Individual Excellence, Team Excellence, Collaboration Excellence, and Indigenous Partnership Excellence.

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Dave Ramsden Career Excellence Award and the Kristine McLeod Emerging Indigenous Leader Award.

• The Premier’s Award for Individual Excellence was presented to Fraser Lennie, Director of Quality, Risk, and Client Experience at NTHSSA. Fraser’s leadership in the Cultural Safety Design Collaborative Project has improved culturally responsive care for Indigenous clients and made a lasting impact on the healthcare system.
• The Premier’s Award for Team Excellence went to the 2023 Emergency Response – MACA Senior Management Leadership Team. This team led the response to the unprecedented 2023 wildfires, coordinating efforts across all regions of the NWT and ensuring the safety of residents during the evacuation of nearly 70% of the population.
• The Premier’s Award for Collaboration Excellence was awarded to two teams:
  • The NTHSSA-HRHSSA Evidence-Based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) Facilitator Team, which provided quality improvement training to over 115 healthcare staff across the NWT, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • The Diagnostic Imaging Replacement Project Team, which successfully replaced outdated diagnostic imaging technologies, enhancing healthcare communication and ensuring better care closer to home.
• The Premier’s Award for Indigenous Partnership Excellence was presented to the Mentor Apprentice Program (MAP) Team for their dedication to revitalizing Indigenous languages through mentor-apprentice pairings across seven traditional language groups.
• The Dave Ramsden Career Excellence Award was awarded to Benoît Boutin, Executive Director of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat, for his outstanding contributions to French language communications and public service, as well as his role as a mentor and leader within the GNWT.
• The Kristine McLeod Emerging Indigenous Leader Award was presented to Tyanna Steinwand, Manager of Research Operations and Training with the Tłı̨chǫ Government. Tyanna has been a powerful advocate for cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and Tłı̨chǫ language revitalization, serving as an inspiring role model for her community.

Quote(s)

“Today’s award recipients exemplify the very best of public service. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership are a testament to the strength of the Northwest Territories and to the values we hold dear. Each of these individuals and teams has made a lasting impact in their field, improving the lives of residents and strengthening our communities. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I extend my deepest congratulations and gratitude to all of the award recipients.”

– R.J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories

Related links

• Premier’s Awards for Excellence – Department of Finance
  • Past Recipients
• Kristine McLeod Emerging Indigenous Leader Award
• Dave Ramsden Career Excellence Award

For media requests, please contact:
Toyeke Adedipe
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
Adetoyeke_Adedipe@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9168 ext. 1501

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