Coppermine (Apr 21/03) - Dan Harvey will, among many other achievements, be remembered for his strong devotion to the education of Northern students.

For 25 years Harvey, who died in a car accident in the NWT last year, dedicated his life to improving the quality of education in the NWT and Nunavut.

In that time, he served as a board member and chair representing the regional board of education before the creation of Nunavut and the district board following 1999.

That dedication did not go unnoticed and during a long service awards ceremony held for Nunavut government employees in Kugluktuk, an honourary plaque was presented to Harvey's children.

"The recognition plaque was on behalf of Dan's commitment to education," said Millie Kuliktana who delivered a heartfelt speech outlining Harvey's achievements during the ceremony.

Kuliktana is the executive director of the Kitikmeot Board of Education and Harvey's daughter-in-law.

The idea for the plaque came when the GN's human resources department asked for submissions for ideas on other awards that could be done in conjunction with the long service awards, said Kuliktana.

"We thought this would be appropriate," she said.

"(Harvey) spoke on behalf of students and he spoke on behalf of parents, not only in Kugluktuk, but in the region and in Nunavut.

She said he wanted nothing more than to create an academic atmosphere where students were challenged, independent and grew strong in both identity and culture.

Kuliktana became executive director last year and said she had hoped to be able to work with Harvey on education issues.

"I was a little bit scared but I was looking forward to it. It was going to be a challenge. Unfortunately it never happened," she said.

Kuliktana may not have had the chance to work with one of the regions strongest advocates for education, but she is focused on carrying on his legacy.

"I am focused on continuing the fight for what Dan wanted out of education for our kids across Nunavut," she said.