GNWT Honours NWT Public Servants with 2025 Premier’s Awards for Excellence

Press Release

October 22, 2025

Earlier today, the 2024–2025 Premier’s Awards for Excellence were presented in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly.

The Government of the Northwest Territories’ annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence recognize the outstanding achievements of employees and partners who demonstrate excellence and innovation in serving the people of the Northwest Territories.

This year’s awards highlight the contributions of individuals and teams whose dedication, leadership, and creativity have strengthened programs, services, and communities across the territory.

Awards were presented in three categories: Individual Excellence, Team Excellence, and Collaboration Excellence, along with two special honours, the Dave Ramsden Career Excellence Award and the Kristine McLeod Emerging Indigenous Leader Award.

Quote

“The Premier’s Awards celebrate the very best of our public service – people who lead with compassion, creativity, and dedication. Each of today’s recipients has made a lasting difference in their communities and in the lives of residents across the Northwest Territories. Their innovation and commitment are what make our government stronger and our territory better.”

– R.J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories

Quick facts

Premier’s Award for Individual Excellence Recipients
- Rena Chapple, Community Health Representative, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (Tulita). Rena has shown remarkable dedication to her community, creating innovative programs such as Elders in Motion and Nutrition Bingo, organizing the annual Elders’ Christmas Party, and fostering intergenerational connections that promote healthy living and community wellness.
- Sonia Gregory, Principal, Beaufort Delta Education Council. A visionary educator, Sonia has championed inclusive education, land-based learning, and Indigenous worldviews in northern schools. Her leadership has transformed classrooms into culturally safe spaces that celebrate identity, belonging, and collaboration.
Premier’s Award for Team Excellence Recipients
- Fuel Resupply via Mackenzie Valley Winter Road Team, Department of Infrastructure. This multidisciplinary team coordinated one of the largest winter resupply operations in recent memory, over 230 truckloads of fuel delivered to Sahtu communities, ensuring reliable and safe access to essential resources despite extreme weather and logistical challenges.
- Street Outreach Community Health Nurses, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Megan Lowry and Amy Chin have reimagined healthcare delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness in Yellowknife, offering mobile, low-barrier care with compassion, cultural safety, and trust.
Premier’s Award for Collaboration Excellence Recipient
- Transitional Housing for Addictions Recovery Program (THARP). A partnership between Housing NWT, Health and Social Services, the City of Yellowknife, the Salvation Army, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, this team created an innovative, person-centered model of transitional housing that integrates recovery supports and culturally safe care.
Dave Ramsden Career Excellence Award Recipient
- Dr. Donald Giovanetto, Otolaryngologist, Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. With over 30 years of service, Dr. Giovanetto has advanced healthcare delivery, mentorship, and medical governance across the NWT, setting a standard of professionalism, compassion, and integrity.
Kristine McLeod Emerging Indigenous Leader Award Recipient
- Kristen Tanche, Regional Health and Wellness Director, Dehcho First Nations.
  Kristen is an inspiring leader in Indigenous health and wellness, known for her trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach to community healing and her advocacy for land-based learning and youth empowerment.