Yellowknife (May 09/03) - Seventeen people were awarded medals Wednesday for their contribution to their community and Canada.

The Commissioner of the NWT, Glenna Hansen, presented the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medals and Exemplary Service Medals at the legislative assembly.

The recipients are residents of the North Slave, members of the military, RCMP, St. John Ambulance and employees of the Justice Department's correctional services division.

Helping with the presentation were: Lt.-Col. David Wheeler, chief of staff, Canadian Forces Northern Area; Stephen A. Duncan, Northwest Region deputy commissioner, RCMP; Alfonso Santo, Territorial Commissioner Northwest and Nunavut Territories, St. John Ambulance; and Doug Friesen, director Corrections Service, GNWT.

The medals are part of the Canadian Honours System and have been approved by Adrienne Clarkson, the Governor General of Canada, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

The following is a summary of the honours awarded:

Commissioner's Recipients, Queen's Jubilee Medal: Mary Beauchamp, George Blondin, Linda Koe, retired Col. Pierre LeBlanc, William G. Tait and Lieut. David Connelly.

Military Recipients, Queen's Jubilee Medal: Warrant Officer Charles Bachmanek.

Military Recipients, Canada Decoration: Master Cpl. Dennis Booker and Sgt. Colin Brydon.

RCMP Recipients, Queen's Jubilee Medal: retired Sgt. Lorne Schollar, Cpl. Kenneth Morrison and Margaret Payment.

St. John Ambulance Recipients, Queen's Jubilee Medal: retired Lt.-Col. Brian McCluskey, retired Lt.-Cmdr. Darin Reeves and firefighter Gerda Groothuizen.

GNWT Recipients, Corrections Exemplary Service Medal: Bonnie Crowther and Jackie Simpson.