Five Yukoners are in line for Commissioner’s Awards.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Angélique Bernard announced the 2021 recipients of the Commissioner’s Award for Public Volunteer Service and the Commissioner’s Award for Bravery.

The latter award recognizes someone who has performed an outstanding act of courage and has responded with great effort and at considerable personal risk in hazardous circumstances to save or safeguard, or attempt to save or safeguard, the life of one or more people.

Scott McDougall will receive the award for his successful river rescue of a canoeist in distress in the Yukon River this past summer.

The Commissioner’s Award for Public Volunteer Service recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields and pays tribute to their dedication and commitment.

It has gone to four people. Among them is Dieter Gade for all his work with the Junction Arts and Music Society over the last 14 years and for all he does in Haines Junction over the last 25 years.

Also recceiving the honour is Terence Grabowski for his work over the years with the Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 and for his work with veterans in the Yukon and across Canada.

Grabowski has also presented many quilts to serving veterans, including being instrumental in three U.S. veterans receiving quilts through Quilts of Valour.

Bev Regier will be presented with an award for all her work over the last 18 years with the Yukon Quest.

Regier has done everything from working the trails for the annual sled dog race to being president of the board of directors to fundraising.

The late Bill Thomas is being recognized for his work over the last 14 years advancing the issues of poverty, homelessness, care for and rights of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and seniors’ rights.

Ellen Thomas will accept the award on behalf of her father, who died Oct. 26.

The award recipients were chosen from nominations submitted to the Commissioner’s Award Advisory Committee. They receive a pin and a certificate.

They will be presented with their awards in the coming weeks, as the Commissioner’s New Year’s Levee set for Jan. 1, 2022 has been cancelled due to the escalating cases of COVID-19.

“I am honoured and thrilled to announce this year’s recipients,” Bernard said.

“They demonstrate the wide variety of dedicated volunteers in the Yukon, all of whom are invaluable to so many events and programs.

“Thank you to everyone who put forward names for nomination.”

The next intake for nominations will take place next spring.