Five Yukoners will receive the Commissioner’s Award, the Yukon’s top honour, at an event on New Year’s Day.

Commissioner Doug Phillips will hand out the awards, as well as the Governor General’s Academic Medals for academic excellence, and Governor General Sovereign’s Medals, which recognize Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to society through volunteer work.

He will make the presentations at the annual Commissioner’s Levee set for Sunday.

“It is important that we take the time to celebrate the achievements of Yukoners and to thank them for their commitment and hard work,” Phillips said in a statement today.

“We are lucky to have so many talented and dedicated individuals in the territory.”

The Commissioner’s Bravery Award recognizes people who put themselves in great personal danger while attempting to save or protect a life.

This year, two people will get the Bravery Award: Mark Stenzig and Sean McGinnis, both of Whitehorse.

On June 15, 2015, Stenzig was boating on the Yukon River when he saw a young man, who was hanging out with a group of friends, jump from the Miles Canyon Bridge into the frigid, rushing waters nearly 10 metres (32 feet) below.

The water flowing under the suspension bridge has a dangerous undercurrent and is very cold all year-round.

But that didn’t stop Stenzig.

He saw that the young man was in distress and dove off his boat into the river.

Despite Stenzig’s numerous attempts to rescue the teenager, Michael Groening, 19, ultimately drowned.

Groening’s family is grateful for Stenzig’s valiant efforts and nominated him for the Bravery Award.

McGinnis is being honoured for a courageous river rescue this past fall.

Late one night in mid-October, the young officer at Whitehorse Correctional Centre was walking with a friend along the waterfront trail near the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

He heard an odd noise drifting up from the Yukon River – it sounded like a person gurgling water.

McGinnis knew something was wrong and dashed down the bank and along the shore, peeling off layers of clothing as he ran.

He jumped into the chilly water near The Kanoe People business near the base of Jarvis Street.

In the river, he saw the body of young woman floating by.

McGinnis swam over, grabbed the young woman and pulled her to shore. He held her body to his to warm her while his friend called for help.

The brave actions McGinnis took that night saved the woman’s life.

Rory Goebel, who is a member of the Ross River Dena Council, will receive an Exemplary Action Certificate for taking immediate action to save a life in a remote region of the Yukon.

In June of this year, Goebel was working on a mining project off the Robert Campbell Highway when a man was brought to the site badly injured.

A large-calibre firearm accidentally discharged and he had numerous entry and exit wounds in his abdomen, hand and face.

Goebel performed advanced first aid to stop the bleeding and stave off shock. The man survived thanks to Goebel’s intervention.

A Public Volunteer Service Award will go to Ray Wells for his years of work with the Mental Health Association of Yukon.

Wells is the organization’s executive director – a volunteer position. He also played a key role in developing the Yukon’s Mental Wellness Strategy, which was tabled in the legislature last spring.

Bryan Alan Clayson will be honoured posthumously with a Public Volunteer Service Award for his longtime dedication to transportation in the Yukon. His wife will accept the award on his behalf on Canada Day.

Clayson was involved with the Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society, the Yukon Transportation Museum and the Whitehorse Waterfront Trolley.

Governor General’s Academic Medals go to Yukon students who earn top marks.

The following students will be awarded with a Governor General’s Academic Medal on New Year’s Day:

• Ashley Borgel of F.H. Collins Secondary in Whitehorse;

• Asia Winter-Sinnott of J.V. Clark School in Mayo;

• Jeremiasz Pilch of Del Van Gorder School in Faro;

• Emma Morin of Robert Service School in Dawson City;

• Justin Kroeker of Watson Lake Secondary School in Watson Lake;

• Patrick Gallant of École Émilie-Tremblay in Whitehorse;

• Sara Ott of Vanier Catholic Secondary in Whitehorse;

• Jaedyn Smith of Porter Creek Secondary in Whitehorse;

• Chishana Michel of the Individual Learning Centre in Whitehorse;

• Andrew Power of St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction; and

• Jesse Khan of Tantalus School in Carmacks.

The Commissoner’s Levee will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel ballroom.

The event is open to the public and free of charge.