Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 09/00) - Canada's Governor General wasn't the only one offering congratulations to Jan Stirling Sunday afternoon.

A crowd of friends and family were at the Ceremonial Circle on Aug. 6 to witness Stirling receive the Caring Canadian Award from Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson and her husband, John Ralston Saul.

The crowd burst into heart-felt laughter as Clarkson addressed the long-time resident as "Grandma Jan" -- a name many have affectionately come to call her by over the years.

Stirling came to Yellowknife in 1971, taking on a job as a public health nurse. Within a year, she was appointed nurse-in-charge at the Yellowknife Public Health Centre. She remained there until retiring in 1997.

"My kids said they never knew anyone who loved to go into work every day and loved it," said the mother of four and grandmother to six.

In her many years of service, Stirling often visited remote communities in the North, relieving staff at nursing stations and helping with emergency medical evacuations.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Stirling helped Vietnamese refugees adjust to life in the North.

She has also played an important role in the establishment and operation of health associations, charities, community recreation activities, crime prevention and victims' assistance organizations.

Currently, Stirling is the president of the Yellowknife Senior's Society and, to this day, takes an active part in health and social issues concerning Northerners.

As accomplished as she is, Stirling took all the pomp and circumstance surrounding her award presentation in stride, and not without a generous dose of modesty either.

"I thought it was very special and very nice (to receive award from Clarkson)," Stirling said.

"But there are a lot of other people that are very deserving of an award. There are many caring people in the North."