Fort Simpson (Sep 29/06) - It can be difficult to recruit and retain dedicated employees but the Government of the Northwest Territories has a number of them throughout the Deh Cho.

Diane Edwards, left, and Alex Gargan have both worked for 35 years for the GWNT. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

These employees were honoured during the past two weeks. People in the education field were recognized on Sept. 14 at a dinner that was part of the educator's conference in Fort Simpson. Other employees were given awards at an informal ceremony held at the Seven Spruce Golf Course on Sept. 22.

When it comes to years of service, Diane Edwards and Alex Gargan topped the list with 35 each.

"Diane knows everything about the government," said Kathy Tsetso, the CEO of Deh Cho Health and Social Services, who's worked with Edwards for 25 years.

Edwards started work in 1970 as a secretary with the Executive Department. In 1977, she moved to the Social Development Department as a receptionist. She's still with the department, now called Dehcho Health and Social Services.

"I just enjoy working," said Edward humbly.

For Alex Gargan, going to work each morning means seeing his brother. Phillip Gargan, who was recognized for 20 years of service, is a carpenter foreman with the Department of Public Works and Services where Alex works as a maintenance carpenter.

After 35 years, Alex said it's his love of working with wood that's kept him with the job. Keeping with the family trend of long service, Bernice Gargan, who's currently working as a language specialist at Bompas elementary school in Fort Simpson, was recognized for 20 years of service.

Gargan discovered she liked working with children while working at a daycare in Yellowknife. She took the next step towards becoming a teacher to follow her mother's wishes.

Just before Gargan's mother, Celine, died she told her to become a teacher.

Gargan started as a classroom assistant at Louie Norwegian school in Jean Marie River from 1986-89. She then moved to Fort Simpson where she taught at Bompas.

With twenty years of service behind her, Gargan said it's the children that keep her inspired."I love kids. They keep me going to work," said Gargan.

The following is a list of government workers recognized for their long service.

District Education Council

Kelly Andrews-Klein, 5 years, Fort Simpson,Kathy Pellissey, 5 years, Fort Providence,Verna Decker, 5 years, Fort Liard, Greg Reardon, 5 years, Fort Providence, Linda Urban, 5 years, Jean Marie River, Frank Gu, 5 years, Fort Simpson, George Urban, 5 years, Jean Marie River, Tracey Waugh, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Mike Leishman, 10 years, Fort Providence, Karen Gelderman, 15 years, Fort Simpson, Gerda Hazenberg, 15 years, Fort Simpson

Sandra Tanche, 15 years, Fort Simpson, Bernice Gargan, 20 years, Fort Simpson, Shirley Villeneuve, 25 years, Fort Simpson, Department of Human Resources, Valerie Nahanni, 10 years, Fort Simpson

Financial Management Board Secretariat

Colleen Johnson, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Education, Culture and Employment, Connie Villeneuve, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Housing Corporation, Doris Erasmus, 5 years, Fort Simpson

Justice

Pat Waugh, 5 years, Fort Simpson

Department of Public Works and Services, Robert Grossetete, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Sean O'Hare, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Phillip Gargan, 20 years, Fort Simpson, Alex Gargan, 35 years, Fort Simpson.

Department of Transportation

Steven Lenoir, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Mickey Hempler, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Maurice Tanche, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Keith Bonnetrouge, 5 years, Fort Liard, Darrell Reason, 10 years, Fort Simpson.

Municipal and Community Affairs

Dennis Buboire, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Chris Hewitt, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Clarence Villeneuve, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Cheryl Sibbeston, 10 years, Fort Simpson, Robert McDowell, 15 years, Fort Simpson, Liza McPherson, 15 years, Fort Simpson.

Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment

Gerd Fricke, 20 years, Fort Simpson.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Floyd Bertrand, 5 years, Fort Liard

Brenda Norwegian, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Steve Gooderham, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Harold Bertrand, 5 years, Fort Liard, Jim Deneron, 5 years, Fort Liard, Eddie Gargan, 5 years, Wrigley, Garth Hilderman, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Dolphus Jumbo, 5 years, Trout Lake, Victor Jumbo, 5 years, Trout Lake, John Klondike Jr., 5 years, Fort Liard, Isidore Lomen, 5 years, Fort Liard, Ernie Moses, 5 years, Wrigley, Michael Sassie, 5 years, Fort Liard, Marilyn Timbre, 5 years, Fort Liard, Patricia Bertrand, 5 years, Fort Liard, Sharon Duntra, 10 years, Fort Liard, Loyal Letcher, 15 years, Fort Simpson, George Tsetso, 25 years, Fort Simpson,

Health and Social Services

Kim Riles, 5 years, Fort Simpson

Bertha Deneron, 5 years, Trout Lake, Sylvie Clement, 5 years, Fort Simpson,Marlene Konisenta, 5 years, Nahanni Butte, Virginia Sabourin, 5 years, Fort Simpson

Hilda R. Cazon, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Joanne Montgomery, 5 years, Fort Providence, Joyce M. Villeneuve, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Hazel Isiah-Tanche, 5 years, Fort Simpson, Minnie Letcher, 10 years, Fort Simpson, Margo Wrigley, 10 years, Fort Simpson, Jeannine Gaulin, 10 years, Fort Simpson, Lois Martin, 10 years, Fort Simpson, Christina Holman, 15 years, Fort Simpson, Millie Sibbeston, 15 years, Fort Simpson, Stephanie de Pelham, 15 years, Fort Simpson, Diane Edwards, 35 years, Fort Simpson.