The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, R.J. Simpson congratulates the 2022 recipients of the Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Awards.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions made by individuals, groups, and organizations who work to strengthen the arts, cultures, heritage, and Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories.

This year’s recipients are:

Individual Award - Karen Wasicuna, Yellowknife

• As the co-founder of Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance, Karen Wasicuna’s passion and support for dance and performing arts has had a lasting impact on many of her students who are now sharing their culture through dance in various professional capacities.

Elder Award - Peter Paulette, Fort Smith

• Peter Paulette has been influential in promoting his culture and language by teaching and promoting hand games and drumming. His passion for sharing his language, culture and heritage has helped keep history, culture and language thriving in his community.

Group Award - Deh Gáh Art Collective, Fort Providence

• The Deh Gáh Art Collective, originally called the Fort Providence Arts and Crafts Development Program, was created by Northern Loco for local artists who wanted to expand their creative abilities specifically in their own traditional artistry on their own traditional land. During the 16-week program, artists were shown various skills from Indigenous elders and experts.

Indigenous Language Revitalization Award - Betty Harnum, Yellowknife

• Betty Harnum dedicated her life to the revitalization of Indigenous language, and for this, she is receiving the Indigenous Language Revitalization Award in memoriam. Betty loved languages and culture. She served as the Territory’s first language commissioner from 1992 to 1996. Her time as the language commissioner only represented a fraction of the work Harnum did during her nearly 50 years in the North. Betty’s achievements included helping to establish the Goyatikǫ Language Society, developing a Chipewyan dictionary and an Inuinnaqtun-to-English dictionary.

Minister's Choice Award - Linda Duford, Hay River

• Linda Duford is an avid supporter of reviving the North's rich cultural heritage of fiddling, as a veteran instructor with the Kole Crook Fiddle Association, and operating a music studio in her hometown. She has taught and inspired countless youth all over the Northwest Territories by enthusiastically sharing her love of music. Linda does a lot of volunteering and fundraising to help many youth.

Do you know someone deserving of a Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Award? To nominate an individual or group who you feel has had a positive impact on arts, culture, heritage or Indigenous language in your region or community visit www.ece.gov.nt.ca/MCHC. The deadline for nominations is September 30, 2023.

Quote(s)

“Award recipients for the Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Awards come from different communities and backgrounds, but the one thing they have in common is that their actions create ripples, inspiring others to get involved in strengthening the territory’s arts, cultures, heritage, and Indigenous languages. The work of these individuals helps to ground us, brings us inspiration, contributes to the wellness of our communities, and benefits all residents of the NWT.”

- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick facts

• The Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Awards helps build awareness among all northerners about the importance of promoting, protecting, preserving and celebrating the unique cultures, heritage and ways of life in the Northwest Territories.
• Created in 2011, yearly nominations are received from across the territory to acknowledge organizations and individuals who have contributed to the Northwest Territories’ arts, culture and heritage community.
• Supporting the preservation of traditional skills and practices and respecting the cultures and heritages of all northerners are priorities of the GNWT Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework.

Related links

• Minister R.J. Simpson session statement: Recognition of Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Award Recipients
• Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Awards

For media requests, please contact:

Briony Grabke
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories 
Briony_grabke@gov.nt.ca 

867-767-9352 ext. 71073