Stephen Kakfwi receives Governor General's Northern Medal

Former N.W.T. premier Stephen Kakfwi is receiving the Governor General's Northern Medal today in Quebec City.

The award was created in 2005 to honour Canadians whose actions and achievements contribute to the North.

Kakfwi, who is from Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., spent 16 years as a cabinet ministerand was the first premier of the N.W.T. following the creation of Nunavut.

He was involved in creating the Indigenous Survival Institute which promotes and advocates for traditional harvesting rights in the North. Kakfwi also helped establish the N.W.T. Dene Cultural Institute, which showcases Dene culture, languages and traditional knowledge.

Kakfwi will receive his medal from Gov. Gen. David Johnston this afternoon during a ceremony at LaCitadelle de Quebec.