The Community Builder Awards aim to celebrate excellence among elected officials, honour long-serving members of the NWTAC, and recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the well-being of residents in our Member Communities. Generous sponsorship from AON plays a crucial role in supporting the NWTAC’s mission to recognize leadership, innovation, and community impact across the NWT. Member Communities may submit nominations in the following four categories: Community Builder Award, Community Service Award, Roll of Honour (Long Service) and Evelyn Krutko Mighty Warrior Award.
Healthy Community Award
The Healthy Community Award celebrates an NWT community that actively encourages and supports residents in making healthy lifestyle choices. This includes providing programs and opportunities that promote physical activity, nutritious eating, and meaningful social connections that foster positive mental health and overall well-being. This award is sponsored by the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services (GNWT HSS). The winning community will receive $5,000 to support a new or existing healthy living initiative within their community.
Energy Excellence Award
The Energy Excellence Award celebrates an NWT community that demonstrates leadership in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The winning community receives a cheque for $5,000 to support a new or existing initiative focused on improving energy efficiency or reducing emissions.
Climate Change Resilience Award
The Climate Change Resilience Award recognizes and celebrates an NWT community that demonstrates outstanding leadership in climate change adaptation. The award also honours a community taking a proactive approach to addressing climate change challenges and strengthening resilience through tangible actions. The winning community receives a cheque for $5,000 to support a resilience-building initiative within the winning community.
MACA Community Excellence Award
The Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) Community Excellence Award recognizes excellence among NWT communities in areas aligned with MACA’s mandate to support capable, accountable, and self-directed community governments providing a safe, sustainable, and healthy environment for residents.
Past Award Winners
Each year, the NWTAC recognizes outstanding contributions to communities of the territory.
2026 Awards Winners
Presented during the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Ian Legaree (posthumously)
Community Service Award: Janine Harvey, Ulukhaktok
Community Service Award: Glenn Smith, Hay River SAO
Community Service Award: Mike McMartin, AON
Community Builder Award: Mayor Peter Clarkson, Town of Inuvik
President’s Award: Mayor Frank Pope, Town of Norman Wells
Healthy Community’s Award: Dehcho First Nations’ Health and Wellness Division
Energy Excellence Award: Hamlet of Paulatuk
Climate Change Resilience Award: Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
Evelyn Krutko Mighty Warrior Award: Susan Christie, SAO Hamlet of Fort Providence
MACA Community Excellence Award: Nahanni Butte Dene Band
2025 Awards Winners
Presented during the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Margaret Ireland
Community Builder Award: Sambaa K’e First Nation
President’s Award: Karen Kuronen, Manager of the Northern Communities Insurance Program
Healthy Community’s Award: Town of Hay River
Energy Excellence Award: Hamlet of Fort McPherson
Climate Change Resilience Award: Jean Marie River First Nation
Evelyn Krutko Mighty Warrior Award: Eleanor Young
Long Service Award: Robert Bouchard – Town of Hay River
2023-2024 Awards Winners
Presented during the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Arctic Inspiration Prize
Community Service Award: Rowe’s Group of Companies
President’s Award: Hamlet of Enterprise, Town of Hay River, K’atlodeeche First Nation
Healthy Community’s Award: K’asho Got’ine Housing Society
Energy Excellence Award: Hamlet of Ulukhaktok
Climate Change Resilience Award: Town of Hay River
Evelyn Krutko Mighty Warrior Award: Cynthia Horton
2022 Awards Winners
Presented during the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Soham Srimani
Community Service Award: Cabin Radio
Community Builder Award: Evelyn Krutko
President’s Award: Hamlet of Enterprise
Healthy Community’s Award: Hay River Seniors Society
Energy Excellence Award: Town of Hay River
Climate Change Resilience Award: Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation
Evelyn Krutko Mighty Warrior Award: Evelyn Krutko
Longstanding Dedication Award: Tom Williams
Longstanding Dedication Award: Alfred Moses
Service Recognition: Sara Brown – 12 years
Service Recognition: Cynthia Horton – 20 years
Service Recognition: Yvonne Fleming – 30 years
2021 Awards Winners
Presented during our virtual Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Ross Potter
Community Builder Award: Rocky Norwegian
President’s Award: GNWT Covid Response Team
Healthy Community’s Award: Inuvik Food Bank
Energy Excellence Award: Tsiigehtchic Charter Community
Climate Change Resilience Award: Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
2020 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Arctic Energy Alliance
Community Builder Award: Charlie Furlong
President’s Award: Sabrina Broadhead
Honorary Lifetime Membership: Clarence Wood
Healthy Community’s Award: Hamlet of Fort McPherson
Energy Excellence Award: Town of Inuvik
Climate Change Resilience Award: Hamlet of Ulukhaktok
Award of Planning Merit from the Alberta Professional Planners Institute: Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
2019 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Signed and QBE
Long Service Award: Lloyd Chicot, Mark Heyck & Jimmy B. Mantla
NWTAC Community Builder Award: Dan Schofield of Yellowknife
Healthy Community Award: Tsiigehtchic Charter Community
2018 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Jason Coakwell and Billy & Bertha Gruben
Long Service Award: Mike Maher
NWTAC Presidents Award: Ron Dennill
Healthy Community Award: Tlicho Community Government of Gameti
2017 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Service Award: Kopy Kat North
Long Service Award: Tony Green (Paulatuk)
NWTAC Presidents Award: Government of the Northwest Territories, Health & Social Services
Healthy Community Award: Hamlet of Aklavik
2016 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Builder Award: MP Michael McLeod
Community Service Award: Up Here Magazine
Long Service Award: Jimmy Rabesca (Whati)
Long Service Award: Tom Wilson (Fort Simpson)
Service Recognition: Yvonne Fleming – 25 years
Service Recognition: Cynthia Horton – 15 years
2015 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Builder Award: Garrett Ruben
Community Service Award: NWT Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
NWTAC President’s Award: Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)
2014 Awards Winners
Presented at the Annual General Meeting
Community Builder Award: Charlie Scarborough
Community Service Award: John McKee
President’s Award: Deline Gotine Government
Long Service Award: Yellowknife Councillor Bob Brooks
Long Service Award: Fort Providence Mayor Tina Gargan
Long Service Award: Paulatuk Mayor Raymond Ruben St.
Long Service Award: Inuvik Councillor Clarence Woods
