The Premier's Awards

The Premier's Awards for Excellence recognize the individuals, teams and partnerships who have made outstanding contributions to the Northwest Territories and its residents.

What are the Premier's Awards?

Every year, the Premier of the Northwest Territories recognizes GNWT employees and partnerships with outside organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation and dedication. The Premier's Awards are a chance to shine a light on those who have made a difference and to celebrate the contributions of public servants. 

How does the awards program work?

The Premier's Awards recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of GNWT employees, teams and partnerships with outside organizations. There are four categories of Premier's Awards:

  • Individual (recognizing the work of individual GNWT employees)
  • Teams (recognizing the work of teams of GNWT employees)
  • Collaboration (recognizing the work of GNWT employees in collaboration with non-GNWT employees)
  • Indigenous Partnerships (recognizing the work of GNWT employees in collaboration with Indigenous governments and organizations)

Who is eligible for a Premier's Award?

You can nominate any GNWT employee, team or partnership with an outside organization for a Premier's Award for work and projects that were completed between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. 

How do I nominate someone?

You can nominate someone for the Premier's Awards by completing the online form or by completing a nomination form and sending it to premiersawards@gov.nt.ca.

How are nominations evaluated?

Premier's Awards nominations are evaluated across the following criteria:

  1. Innovation and Creativity
  2. Exceptional Performance and Service Excellence
  3. Leadership and Organizational Excellence
  4. Partnerships
  5. Inclusion and Traditional Knowledge

Nominations must meet at least three of the five criteria to be considered for a Premier's Award.

For more information on these criteria and how they are used to evaluate nominations, please review the Evaluation Criteria.

For more information

The Premier's Awards Guidelines include a detailed description of the award program, eligibility and nomination guidelines, and the award criteria.

If you have questions about the Premier's Awards program or nomination process, please contact premiersawards@gov.nt.ca or 867-767-9152 ext. 14051. 

Updated: Jun 29, 2026