Three Legends

Three Legends

Order of the Northwest Territories

Three great contributors to our communities were inducted into the 2018 Order of the Northwest Territories, and all of them have roots in the Beaufort Delta.

Lillian Elias, Les Carpenter and Sharon Firth each received the highest honour in the territory, which is now officially recognized by Canada. Les Carpenter became the first recipient of the award posthumously, as he unfortunately passed in summer 2018.

The new inductees join the following greats of our territory: George Tuccaro, Bruce Green, Lucy Jackson, Sonny MacDonald, Gino Pin, Ruth Spence, Dr. John B. Zoe, Nellie Cournoyea, Jan Stirling, Anthony W. J. Whitford, Dr. Marie Wilson, Paul Andrew, Fred Carmichael, Russell King, Lynda Koe, Jeff Philipp and Tom Zubko.

Lillian Elias

Valerie Stefansson, Lillian Elias and Bernice Kalinek

A lifelong interpreter, drum dancer and culture carrier, Lillian Elias is everyone’s favourite grandmother figure in Inuvik.

“When I speak my language, when I go out on the land, I see my grandparents with me all the time,” said the elder after being inducted into the Order of the NWT.

Besides attending residential school in Aklavik, Lillian lived on the land until she was 13. When she was 16, she started volunteering to interpret for elders who needed help communicating with government officers, doctors or whoever else. Later, she pursued a teaching career.

“My grandparents travel with me wherever I go,” said Lillian.

“I think back to see what my grandparents did for me, how they cut the caribou, what they kept from the caribou, what they kept from the whale. That’s why I’m so strong in my language and traditional culture. And I will keep it on until I can’t walk or talk.”

Your language and culture give you power, she said.

“Today, I feel as if (my grandparents and relatives) are here for me, to get my recognition and my language, because I would never do these things without them.”

Les Carpenter

Les Carpenter

Tracy Carpenter, Franklin Carpenter, Merle Carpenter, Bradley Carpenter and Jock Carpenter

He couldn’t be with us to receive it, but legendary broadcaster Les Carpenter became the first person posthumously inducted into the Order of the NWT.

Merle Carpenter, his brother, was on hand to receive the honour and speak on Les’s behalf.

“That was unexpected,” said Merle. “It’s a very nice honour for him to receive this.”

He said Les’s untimely passing this summer shocked the family, but he was very thankful to the Northwest Territories community for nominating his brother for the award.

“It’s certainly a special event that makes us proud of his legacy,” said Merle. “We really appreciate it as our family, that his hard work didn’t go unnoticed.”

Les passed at age 61, after becoming famous across the territory for his work broadcasting with CBC in Inuvik, as well as with the Native Northern Broadcasting organization in Whitehorse and his work as CEO of the Native Communications Society of the NWT.

He grew up in Sachs Harbour and was also the founding chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

“Les was very dedicated to his heritage, his community and his roots,” said Merle.

“He fought tirelessly to hire locals in radio and TV, to take up a career and continue teaching youth about their language. He certainly had a passion for radio and TV work throughout his life and he will be remembered for that.”

Sharon Firth

Tania Larsson, Sharon Firth, Justine Klengenberg and Marie Larsson

Four-time Olympic cross-country skier Sharon Firth was the first Indigenous woman inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, along with her twin sister Shirley, who unfortunately passed in 2013.

Born in Aklavik, of Gwich’in descent, the skier has had a profound impact on youth athletics in the Beaufort Delta and territory as a whole.

“Being inducted into the Order of the NWT was a total surprise to me,” said Sharon.

“I got a call last week in the evening and I was in total shock. Of course I graciously accepted it, because when you receive awards like this, it’s not about you – it’s about the people nominating you.”

She said it’s all about helping Indigenous people along the way. She gave some parting advice to young people.

“For youth, there are so many stepping stones and obstacles out there, so just follow your dreams, stay true to yourself and never give up.”