Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak today about the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program. Nominations for this program are currently being accepted.
The NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program was developed in 1991 as a way to celebrate outstanding volunteers in the Northwest Territories and to highlight the importance of volunteerism to residents of the Northwest Territories. This year, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is pleased to be working in partnership with Volunteer NWT on the delivery of the program.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has launched this year's nomination process through advertisements, the distribution of brochures and posters, and notices on the department's web site. Nomination materials can also be found in community government offices, recreation offices and all schools in the Northwest Territories.
There are four categories of Outstanding Volunteer Awards. The categories are: individual, elder, youth and group. As in prior years, we expect to receive nominations from all regions of the Northwest Territories.
Each year, the award winners and all nominees are recognized during an award ceremony that takes place during National Volunteer Week. This year, National Volunteer Week is April 23rd to April 29th. Planning details of the award ceremony are underway and I look forward to providing Members with additional information on the ceremony once all details are finalized.
Mr. Speaker, volunteers are an incredibly important part of our life in our communities. The Volunteer Award Program is one way that the Government of the Northwest Territories can recognize the contributions volunteers make everyday. It is important to bring recognition to the award winners, and all nominees, and to the thousands of residents in the Northwest Territories that give freely of their time and energy with no expectation of thanks.
I encourage all Members of the Legislative Assembly to recognize and thank the volunteers in their communities and to nominate an outstanding volunteer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.