YELLOWKNIFE (November 7, 2012) – Commissioner George Tuccaro, Premier Bob McLeod, and Speaker Jackie Jacobson presented Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to the longest-serving members of the Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Michael Miltenberger, MLA Thebacha, and Jane Groenewegen, MLA Hay River South, have served in the Legislative Assembly continuously since their first elections in October 1995. Both have served as Cabinet Ministers, including terms as Deputy Premier.
“This medal recognizes people who have helped to build the Canada of today,” said Commissioner Tuccaro. “At the conclusion of the 17th Assembly, MLAs Miltenberger and Groenewegen will join Tom Butters and Ludy Pudluk as the only Members to have served a fifth consecutive term in the history of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.”
“Both MLAs were instrumental in laying the foundation of our work as a government after the creation of Nunavut,” said Premier McLeod. “I look to both of them as visionaries as we take on the responsibilities and rights of a mature government. They believe in people, and they build on the strengths of northerners.”
The Diamond Jubilee Medal was created by the Government of Canada to recognize the outstanding contributions of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life. This medal program is one of the elements of the year-long Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Thirty-four NWT residents have been presented with medals to date. Further medal presentation ceremonies will be organized to recognize other NWT recipients before the Diamond Jubilee celebrations end in February 2013.
For more information, contact:
Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
669-2302