2 northwestern Ontario residents receive a Lieutenant Governor’s Legacy Award

The provincial government has recognized 13 Ontarians at the annual Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards.

The awards are named after four former lieutenant governors, including:

• Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander – Established in 1993, the award recognizes young people who have demonstrated strong leadership in eliminating racial discrimination
• Honourable Hilary M. Weston – Established in 2002, the scholarship recognizes graduate-level social work students for their contributions to mental health research
• Honourable James Bartleman – Established in 2008, the award recognizes Indigenous youth for their creative writing talent
• Honourable David C. Onley – Established in 2014, the award recognizes Ontarians who have gone above and beyond to improve accessibility and the quality of life of people with disabilities

Two of the award recipients are from northwestern Ontario.

“These awards shine a light on people who are helping to make Ontario more equitable, accessible, creative and resilient,” said Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Edith Dumont. “Together, these recipients are building on the legacies of four inspiring lieutenant governors.”

Darnell Mekanak from Webequie First Nation won the Senior Fly-In category for the James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Award.

He wrote a song titled The Drunken Indian.

It confronts stigma through storytelling and music, reflecting on the impact of addiction.

His work challenges stereotypes, honours lived experience, and offers a moving testament to resilience, healing, and the transformative power of creative expression.

The other winner from the region was also awarded a James Bartleman writing award.

Grace Paradis, who is a member of the Metis Nation of Ontario located in Thunder Bay, was awarded the Junior Off-Reserve award.

She wrote a story called The Siren of Herringstead.

The tale follows a young skeptic whose encounter with a mermaid challenges everything he thought he knew.

The story explores themes of belief, transformation, and the pull of adventure.

The 2025 recipients were recognized at the Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards ceremony, held at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The province also announced a new award during the event.

Moving forward, the Elizabeth Dowdeswell Award for Advancing Democracy Through Education will also be given out annually.

The award will recognize Ontario educators who champion democratic values and civic engagement through innovative teaching practices.

“I find the new award truly meaningful because it links the legacy of the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell with the dedication of outstanding educators who inspire young people to care about their communities and be actively engaged in civic life,” added Dumont.

“Teachers play a critical role in helping us become the very best version of ourselves. Through inspiring young people to understand, to question and to become engaged in setting the ground rules for how we learn to live together in harmony, they strengthen democratic values and institutions.”