Award puts spotlight on volunteer
Margaret Miller honoured at conference by Premier
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, May 15, 2014
INUVIK
One of Inuvik's most tireless volunteers has caught the eye of the GNWT.
Margaret Miller of Inuvik received an award for her years of community service from Premier Bob McLeod May 9 at the NWT Association of Communities conference. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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Margaret Miller received an award from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs May 9 during a luncheon at the Association of Communities annual general meeting at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.
Miller was honoured as one of two elders of the year for her long-standing record of volunteering. A blushing Miller received her award from Premier Bob McLeod at the luncheon.
If there has been an organization needing volunteers in Inuvik, Miller has likely been a part of it at one time or another. She's still one of the most familiar faces around Inuvik, and it's more unusual when she doesn't turn up for community events than when she does.
Currently, Miller says she has gone into semi-retirement on the volunteer front, meaning she still does more than most people.
"Margaret is a quiet and hard-working individual who enjoys helping others and making a difference in her home community of Inuvik," said Tom Williams, who emceed the awards presentation.
"She was a volunteer board member with the Great Northern Arts Festival for 10 years and continues to volunteer regularly.
"Over the past 12 years Margaret has also run TV bingos to raise funds for various organizations.
"Her volunteer efforts have had a profound impact on her community and her altruistic work makes her a role model for many."
Her main activities now are the bingos, the Inuvik Food Bank and the Arctic Paws group that helps bring periodic veterinary clinics to town.
"I don't really think I deserve it," Miller said of the award.
"There are lots of volunteers in town. I'm not the only one. Actually, since this is the elders award, I'm accepting it on behalf of all the elders who volunteer in Inuvik, not just for me."
However, that doesn't mean Miller is going to be handing the plaque around to all of those other volunteers to keep for a day or a week.
"No," she said with a laugh. "It's going on the wall with my collection. I don't know who they all are, because we don't advertise ourselves. We're just there to help out when needed."
