Past Recipients of MCHC Awards

2022 Recipients

Individual Award - Karen Wasicuna, Yellowknife

Karen Wasicuna is integral in the creation of the dance community in Yellowknife. As a choreographer, dance instructor and performer Karen was a co-founder and co-artistic director of Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance. In 2008, Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance company was selected to perform at the Expanse Dance Festival in Edmonton.

Karen’s influence, guidance, passion, love and support for the dance and performing arts community in Yellowknife continues to have a lasting impact. Many of her students are now sharing their culture through dance in various professional capacities. 

Elder Award - Peter Paulette, Fort Smith

Peter Paulette of Fort Smith has been influential in promoting his culture and language. Peter loves to share his culture by showcasing handgames and drumming for all those interested, whether hosting handgames at the college or demonstrating them in a school setting.

Peter’s passion for sharing his language, culture and heritage with anyone wanting to learn has helped to keep the history, culture and language thriving in his community.

Group Award - Deh Gáh Art Collective, Fort Providence

Deh Gáh Art Collective 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.

This program not only emphasizes the important role that the arts play in our territory but provides support for local artists to expand their craft and knowledge in their ancestral traditions while tailoring it for a modern market. This program allows for the conservation of traditions, customs, and the way of life in Fort Providence.

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

Hay River's 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.

Her goal has always been to ensure that there are no barriers for anyone she teaches to have affordable lessons, own an instrument, travel to musical events all over the NWT, meet new friends and pursue their musical dreams!

2020 Recipients

  • Youth: Kaysea Fountain, Fort Resolution

  • Individual: Myrna Pokiak, Yellowknife

  • Elder: Rosalind Mercredi, Yellowknife

  • Group: Collège Nordique Francophone, Yellowknife

  • Indigenous Languages: Angelina Fabien, Fort Resolution

  • Minister’s Choice: Lawrence Nayally, Wrigley

2019 Recipients

  • Youth: Corbin Sinclair 

  • Individual: Karen Novak

  • Elder : Alfred Taneton 

  • Group/Organization: Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre

  • Minister's Choice: Mildred Edwards

2018 Recipients

  • Youth: Alice Twa

  • Individual: Tishna Marlowe

  • Elder: Joanne Tetlichi

  • Group/Organization: Old Town Community Association

  • Minister's Choice: Designated Gwich'in Organization, Fort McPherson

2017 Recipients

  • Dang-Dang Gruben - Youth Award

  • Kiera-Dawn Kolson - Individual Award

  • Catherine Bell Sanguez - Elder Award

  • JBT Dance Group - Group/Organization Award

  • Dene Nahjo - Minister's Choice Award

2016 Recipients

  • Jessie Campbell - Individual Award

  • Marilyn Maring - Youth Award

  • Edward Oudzi - Elder Award

  • Open Sky Creative Society - Group/Organization Award

  • Sandra Ipana - Minister's Choice Award

2015 Recipients

  • 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am NWT Youth Ambassador - Youth

  • Jeanna Graham of Hay River Reserve - Elder

  • Berna Beaulieu of Behchokǫ̀ - Individual

  • Yellowknife Ukrainian Association - Group

  • Vivian Edgi-Manuel of Fort Good Hope - Minister's Choice Award

2014 Recipients

  • Janelle Nitsiza - Youth

  • Camilla Tutcho - Elder

  • Rene Fumoleau - Individual

  • Foster Family Coalition of the NWT - Group

  • Deninu K'ue First Nation - Minister's Choice Award

2013 Recipients

  • Justin Memogana of Ulukhaktok - Youth

  • Emily Kudlak of Ulukhaktok - Elder

  • David Gon of Behchokǫ̀ - Individual

  • Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute - Group

  • Yellowknife Choral Society - Minister's Choice Award

2012 Recipients

  • Doris Taneton of Deline - Youth

  • Lillian Elias of Inuvik - Elder

  • Melaw Nakehk'o of Fort Simpson - Individual

  • Tlicho Imbe Program - Group

  • Jean Harry of Sachs Harbour - Minister's Choice Award

2011 Recipients

  • Evan Tordiff of Fort Smith - Youth

  • Abel Tingmiak of Inuvik - Elder

  • Ben Nind of Yellowknife - Individual

  • Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers - Group

  • Chief Jimmy Bruneau School: Trails of Our Ancestors, Behchoko - Minister's Choice Award