Former territorial premier honoured
Stephen Kakfwi is the seventh person to receive the Governor General’s Northern Medal
Jeanne Gagnon
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 21, 2013
QUEBEC CITY
Humbled and grateful is how former territorial premier Stephen Kakfwi describes his experience receiving the Governor General's Northern Medal in Quebec City on Oct. 4.
Former territorial premier Stephen Kakfwi received the Governor General's Northern Medal in Quebec City on Oct. 4. - photo courtesy of MCpl. Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall |
The medal, created in 2005 by then-Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, is awarded annually to individuals whose work and achievements contributed to the advancement of Canada's North.
"With his dedication to public service, the outspoken and inspiring Kakfwi has shown a true passion for all people of the Northwest Territories," stated the citation.
Kakfwi said he was surprised to receive the award.
"It's very humbling to be in a room receiving awards alongside members of the armed forces and firefighters and people who have saved the lives of other people. And there were many who received recognition and awards that day," he said. "I was humbled and grateful to receive the award and to be in a room with all these amazing people."
The Governor General, David Johnston, also awarded 10 decorations for bravery, two meritorious service decorations, military division and 17 Governor General Caring Canadian Awards during the same ceremony.
Kakfwi said receiving the award is a testament to how someone like him can be successful in an elected position for so many years. He credited the chiefs and the elders for supporting and encouraging him through the good and hard times. Many people, whether they are chiefs or health workers, for instance, devoted their lives to serving the people and the communities, he added.
"If anything, I have been blessed with having, from a very young age, worked with elders and then to work with amazing chiefs and leaders throughout my career," he said. "Many of the people that should receive awards are people who I work with. It's been a blessing, for sure."
Kakfwi, a Dene from Fort Good Hope, spent his childhood on the land before spending seven years in residential school.
He moved to Alberta to become a teacher, but left before completing his studies, returning to Fort Good Hope. In the mid-1970s, he fought against the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
As president of the Dene Nation, he created the Indigenous Survival Institute, whose role is to protect and advocate the rights of aboriginals to harvest wildlife on the land, and the Northwest Territories Dene Cultural Institute.
Kakfwi entered public service in 1987 and was elected to four terms in the territorial legislature. He spent more than 16 years managing many portfolios while in cabinet. He served as the territory's first premier following the creation of Nunavut in 1999. He left in 2003.
Now 62, Kakfwi said he is still working on the NWT water strategy and continues to be an advocate for the wise use of land and management of wildlife. He added he is also encouraging young people to enter public life and lead the way.
"It's much better in many ways than when I started, way back in 1974," said Kakfwi. "And yet, there is so much more work to do. The world is changing and changing very fast. We need to bring our young people out in front of us and encourage them to start leading."
