LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The dedication of the territorial government's employees in the Deh Cho was celebrated in Fort Simpson on June 10.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, left, congratulates Michael Hempler on 10 years of employment with the territorial government during the long service awards that were held in Fort Simpson on June 10. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Staff with the Dehcho Human Resources Service Centre organized a long-service awards ceremony that was held at the Seven Spruce Golf Course. The ceremony honoured employees that have worked for the government for five years or more.

The territorial government gives framed certificates and pins to employees once they reach five years of service and follows up every five years after that, said Paul Simon, a human resources assistant.

"It serves to acknowledge their dedication," he said.

A total of 46 employees in the Deh Cho will receive awards this year. Added together, they have provided 495 years of service.

Job satisfaction and co-workers are among things that keep people working for the territorial government, according to the winners.

"I enjoy what I do," said Valerie Nahanni.

Nahanni received a 15-year certificate at the ceremony.

She had recently graduated from management studies at Aurora College and her first child was only six-months-old when she took a job as a casual for the Department of Finance in November, 1996.

In 2001 she took a one-year transfer assignment with the Department of Human Resources and has been with the department ever since. As a benefits officer, Nahanni looks after the benefits for every government employee in the Deh Cho with last names between the letters L to Z.

As a result of her job Nahanni said she's gotten to know many of the employees.

"You get to build great relationships with people," she said.

The working relationships with other government employees has also been one of the highlights for Stephanie de Pelham who received a 20 year certificate.

"I've always worked with a good group of people who are committed to their work," she said.

She came North in 1989 looking for blue skies and spent 18 years working as a sexual abuse specialist with Dehcho Health and Social Services. In September, 2009, de Pelham took a position with probations services with community justice.

She said the staff she worked with at Dehcho Health and Social Services were a close, strong group and that is also true of her new probation services co-workers although they work in separate communities in the Deh Cho.

Both Nahanni and de Pelham said they have no plans to leave their positions with the government anytime soon.

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