A former Yukon woman has been named the new commanding officer of the RCMP’s largest division.

The British Columbia RCMP announced Wednesday that assistant Commissioner Brenda Butterworth-Carr has been named commanding officer of the province’s E Division.

Butterworth-Carr is originally from Dawson City. She joined the RCMP as a native special constable in 1987.

As a woman and member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Han First Nation, she has broken a number of barriers in the RCMP over the years.

In 2009, Butterworth-Carr took command of the Prince George, B.C. detachment and became the first woman and first aboriginal person to hold the post.

She was also the first aboriginal woman to hold the rank of Chief Superintendent, the fourth-highest rank in the RCMP.

In August 2013, she was named the commanding officer for Saskatchewan’s F Division, and became the first aboriginal woman to take the lead of an RCMP division.

She was also the first woman to lead the national bureau for Aboriginal Policing and Crime Prevention Services in Ottawa.

Over her career, Butterworth-Carr has served in the Yukon, National Headquarters in Ottawa, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

She has held positions including assistant district commander in E Division’s North District, commanding officer in Saskatchewan, and officer in charge of criminal operations core policing in British Columbia.

She is also chair of the RCMP’s National Women’s Advisory Committee, and was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in October 2015.

A press release from the B.C. RCMP states, “Butterworth-Carr’s experience in operations, management of critical incidents and crisis negotiation, crime prevention, community and aboriginal policing and executive leadership will serve her well in leading the RCMP in British Columbia.”

She is supported by her partner Errol and their three adult sons, “who are her ultimate inspiration for dedicating and committing herself to continuously learn and grow as a leader.”

Butterworth-Carr is replacing deputy commissioner Craig J. Allens, who is retiring after 32 years of service, and who was commanding officer for five years.