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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate all the nominees for the 2024 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards and to celebrate this year’s award winners. Since its establishment in 1991, the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards program has recognized extraordinary volunteers and highlighted the essential role of volunteerism in the Northwest Territories.

Volunteering is a true labor of love, often done without expectation of recognition, but today, we have the privilege of shining a well-deserved spotlight on those whose contributions have made an impact. These individuals exemplify the spirit of service, strengthening the bonds within our communities, fostering resilience, and offering support where it is needed most. By giving their time and energy, these volunteers help promote community well-being and create a more vibrant and thriving territory for all.

Mr. Speaker, every year, the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards accept nominations in four categories: Youth, Elder, Individual, and Group. This year, we received an incredible 53 nominations representing 18 communities, a testament to the generosity and community spirit of our residents. These included 11 nominations in the Elder category, 12 in the Group category, 23 in the Individual category, and seven in the Youth category.

To all the nominated individuals and groups, I extend my heartfelt thanks. Your contributions are invaluable to your communities and the NWT. Without your dedication, countless programs and initiatives would not be possible.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the opportunity to present the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer Awards at a ceremony held at the Legislative Assembly and I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the award winners:

• The Outstanding Elder Award went to Roger Pilling from Fort Simpson for his decades of leadership in local sports organizations, firefighting, and community service.
• The Outstanding Youth Award was presented to Tafadzwa Mufandaedza from Yellowknife for her leadership and dedication to coordination at Folk on the Rocks.
• Melissa Johns from Fort Smith earned the Outstanding Individual Award for her extensive work supporting sports, cultural events, and community fundraising.
• The Outstanding Group Award was given to the Ulukhaktok Search and Rescue team for their tireless efforts in responding to emergencies and mentoring future search and rescue volunteers.

Congratulations to all the winners. You are not only making a difference: your dedication inspires others to step forward, take action, and contribute in their own way. Your efforts show that even small acts of service can create a lasting impact in our communities.

I would also like to express my appreciation to those who took the time to nominate their fellow residents. Recognizing and celebrating volunteerism is an important part of fostering a culture of giving back in our territory. To all the volunteers across the NWT, whether you receive an award or not, know that your work makes a real difference every single day.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to keep the spirit of volunteerism alive, as volunteers play a crucial role in building safe communities for Northerners. Nominations for the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards remain open year-round, and I urge residents to recognize those who go above and beyond to serve others. Let us all be inspired by the example set by this year’s winners and continue working together to make our communities stronger and more vibrant.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.