The nomination deadline for the 2026 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards is November 18, 2026!

What are the Outstanding Volunteer Awards? 

The NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards recognize individuals and groups whose voluntary achievements and contributions strengthen communities across the Northwest Territories.

Who is a volunteer?

You probably already know a volunteer, a friend, or neighbour, who is always there ready to help someone. For example, someone who:

• helps plan or run community events and activities;

• helps Elders, families, or neighbours when they need support;

• volunteers with schools, sports teams, arts groups, or recreation programs;

• helps keep Indigenous languages, culture, and traditions strong by sharing them with others; or

• gives their time, skills, or knowledge to help make their community better, examples include cutting wood, shovelling walkways, or helping with reading

How do we say thank you?

Volunteers improve our quality of life and strive to make our communities better places to live. We want to thank them for their work. The NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards is a great way to say thank you to the selfless individuals who give their time to our communities.

Territorial recipients receive $1,000.00 to give to an organization of their choice as well as an award recognizing them for their efforts in building our communities through volunteering. Award winners are honoured at a special ceremony to thank them for their contributions.

How does the awards program work?

Anybody can nominate an individual or a group whose voluntary work strengthens and enriches northern life.

There are four categories:

• Youth (under 25)
• Individual (25-54)
• Elder (55+)
• Group

Only Northwest Territories residents are eligible for an award

How to Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer

Anyone can nominate an individual or group whose volunteer work strengthens their community. To submit a nomination, choose one of the following options:

• Complete the Online Nomination Form.

• Download and complete the PDF nomination form, then mail or fax it to your Municipal and Community Affairs Regional Office or to the Sport, Recreation and Youth Division office in Yellowknife.

The nomination form asks for information about the nominee’s length of service, type of volunteer involvement, achievements, community impact, and any other details that help explain why they should be recognized.

Evaluation Guideline

Nominations are evaluated based on factors such as:

• the length of time the nominee has volunteered;

• the nominee’s achievements, contributions, and participation in volunteer activities;

• the nominee’s leadership role in their community or organization; and

• the impact of the nominee’s volunteer work on their community.

Recipients of the 2025 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards

Outstanding Youth Award – Ava Erasmus, Fort Simpson

Outstanding Individual Award – Brian Mc Shane, Yellowknife

Outstanding Elder Award – Gloria Faye Johns, Hay River

Outstanding Group Award – Run for Our Lives Committee, Yellowknife

For more information please contact: Youth_And_Volunteer@gov.nt.ca