Nominations open for the Order of Nunavut

Nunavut Commissioner Edna Elias, left, presents the Order of Nunavut medal to its first-ever recipient, the retired Rev. Michael Gardener, right, at a November 2011 ceremony at the territorial legislature. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Is there someone you think deserves Nunavut’s highest honour, the Order of Nunavut?

The Order of Nunavut Advisory Council is inviting Nunavummiut to submit nominations for the 2012 Order of Nunavut.

The first-ever Order of Nunavut, the territory’s highest honour, was awarded in 2011 to three recipients: Rev. Mike Gardener, the late Jose Amaujaq Kusugak and the late Mark Kalluak, C.M..

The order was first introduced in January 2010 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic well-being of Nunavut.

The Order of Nunavut Advisory Council, whose members include the speaker of the Nunavut legislature, the senior judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice and the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., plans to look at nominations and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Nunavut, who serves as the Chancellor of the Order.

Nominations are now open and must be received by May 18, 2012.

“The Council looks forward to considering nominations of distinguished Nunavummiut,” said Hunter Tootoo, the Nunavut legislature’s speaker and chair of the Order of Nunavut advisory council.

Nomination forms are available from the offices of members of the legislature and can be downloaded from its website.

An investiture ceremony for the 2012 recipients will take place later this year.