Order of Yukon inductees announced for 2025

Press Release

December 17, 2025

The Commissioner of Yukon, the Honourable Adeline Webber, in her capacity as Chancellor of the Order of Yukon, announces the 2025 inductees to the Order of Yukon.

The inductees were selected following a review of nominations received by the Order of Yukon Advisory Council. This year, the Order recognizes Barry Stuart, Joan Stanton and Rick Nielsen as individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement and have made outstanding contributions to the Yukon and its residents.

The 2025 inductees have contributed to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the Yukon through leadership, service and dedication in their respective fields. Their achievements reflect a lasting commitment to strengthening communities across the territory.

Each year, the Order of Yukon honours individuals whose contributions have had a significant and positive impact on Yukon society. The Order is the territory’s highest honour.

On behalf of all Yukoners, I congratulate Barry Stuart, Joan Stanton and Rick Nielsen on their induction to the Order of Yukon. They exemplify their commitment to community through their outstanding contributions and enduring legacies. Thank you to the Advisory Council members for their work in selecting the inductees.

Commissioner of Yukon Adeline Webber

The Yukon is a better place because of Barry, Joan, and Rick. Each has contributed the best of themselves to the Yukon, through their innovations, creativity, selfless perseverance, leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. Yukoners have benefitted and continue to benefit from their generous sharing of their skills and abilities that have provided opportunities for so many to grow, thrive, and succeed. The commitment of Barry, Joan and Rick to the Yukon and their love of this Territory and its people is evident through all they have done. Congratulations and thank you!

Advisory Council Chair and Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan

Quick facts

• Inductees will be formally invested into the Order of Yukon at the Commissioner’s Levee on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.
• The Order of Yukon was established in March 2018, after the Order of Yukon Act was assented to in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.

Backgrounder

Barry Stuart

Barry seized opportunities in his multiple roles, as judge, negotiator, mediator, law professor, environmentalist and friend, to improve the well-being of communities and to strengthen relationships among Yukoners. Barry’s constructive, collaborative and interest-based approach to land claim negotiations was visionary and contributed to the successful signing and ratification of the Umbrella Final Agreement. His innovations in the justice system through the introduction of circle sentencing and other restorative justice initiatives led to improved outcomes and began a much-needed reconciliation process within the justice system. After he retired from the judiciary, he continued to assist Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, regulatory bodies, and private organizations on complex governance issues, land use and resource management matters, and overlapping territory disputes, through mediation and consensus building, as well as sharing his expertise gained in the Yukon through his national and international teaching and speaking engagements. His vision, integrity and lifelong commitment to just relationships have transformed lives and had a profound and lasting impact on the Yukon.

Joan Stanton

Joan is driven by her passion for enriching the life of the community through volunteerism.  Since arriving in the Yukon in 1980, she has dedicated countless hours to volunteer leadership positions in the administration of arts and music, and the organization of gymnastics and skiing events. Her roles have included President of the board of the Whitehorse Community Choir, Chair of the Yukon Arts Centre Board, Chair of the Yukon Arts Foundation, board member of Whitehorse Concerts, founding member of the Yukon Summer Music Camp Society, Cultural Chair for the 2007 Canada Winter Games, and co-organizer for the 2010 Haywood Ski Nationals competition. Her formidable organizational skills, her calm and unflappable temperament, and her efficiency, perseverance and kindness have enriched and improved the lives of so many Yukoners who have been participants in or have enjoyed as audiences or spectators the many arts and sports events that she helped bring to life.

Rick Nielsen

Rick has tirelessly, generously and quietly given his many diverse skills in leadership, management, advocacy, and mentorship to the business, aviation, First Nations, political and non-profit communities in the Yukon, a place for which Rick has a lifelong passion. His outstanding contributions include his roles as Chair of the Board of MacBride Museum of Yukon History where he led the museum’s successful expansion; former Chair of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and Yukon Chamber of Commerce, where he championed small businesses;  President of the Apprentice Advisory Board, where he advocated for the advancement of apprenticeship program; Chief Operating Officer at Air North; farmer; and former owner of Whitehorse Motors. As a commercial pilot, he has provided indispensable air transportation to traditional camps for many First Nation elders and trappers, allowing their culture to be nurtured and sustained. He has inspired youth to pursue aviation careers and promoted the values of respect for and connection with the land. Through his involvement in Action Canada, an organization dedicated to developing outstanding community leaders, Rick has mentored and supported young professionals, Yukon’s next generation of leaders.

Media contact

Judy Tousignant
Secretary to the Order of Yukon
judy.tousignant@yukon.ca
867-393-6281

Breanna Leavoy
Private Secretary, Commissioner of Yukon
breanna.leavoy@yukon.ca
867-667-5121

ILR5