The Hall of Innovators shines a light on the inspiring Yukoners who have built a brighter Yukon with their innovations. Our annual awards ceremony, and permanent Hall at NorthLight Innovation, celebrate the Yukoners who are have contributed their talents and created opportunities for others to thrive in the Yukon. We are proud to present these awards and to recognize the folks who have inspired positive change in our community.
If you’d like to nominate someone for the 2022 Hall of Innovators, subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop and be the first to get notified when nominations open.
2021
ROLF HOUGEN
Lifetime Achievement Award
At 93 years old, this is Rolf Hougen’s fourth-lifetime achievement award honouring his decades of tireless commitment to the Yukon he calls home.
Ever since he started managing the Hougen family store at the age of 19, Rolf has always seen the investing potential of the Yukon. He grew the family store into a major department store that expanded into today’s Hougen Group of Companies, holding real estate and business ventures throughout Yukon.
GREG HAKONSON
Notable Innovators Award
An innovator and a builder at heart, Greg’s main goal is creating and growing a new economy for Dawson and he has the uncanny ability to bring a clear blueprint of what is needed to achieve it. His proven reputation as someone who finishes what he starts while putting his community first cements his place as one of the Notable Innovators this year.
HAROLD JOHNSON AND META WILLIAMS
Notable Innovators Award
Harold Johnson and Meta Williams turned the traditional Southern Tutchone camp Harold built from scratch into an educational site.
In May 1995, Kwäday Dän Kenji (“Long Ago People’s Place”) welcomed the public to its grounds. For more than 20 years, Harold and Meta have helped people gain a deeper appreciation for the First Nations way of life.
BEVERLEY GRAY
Notable Innovators Award
In 1998, Beverley Gray opened Canada’s most northern herb shop, Aroma Borealis, it filled a gap in the Yukon’s natural health and herb markets with a wide range of locally harvested herbal health products that she skillfully formulated including teas, salves and skin creams–created and manufactured in-house. She then scaled up the business with an online storefront, which was uncommon in her industry at the time. Beverley’s continuous early-adopter mindset makes her one of this year’s Notable Innovators.
SHADUNJEN VAN KAMPEN
Youth Innovator Award
Shadunjen van Kampen’s historic achievement sets her apart as the Youth Innovator this year. Her trailblazing perseverance in the face of mounting odds will serve as an inspiration for First Nations and Yukon women of future generations.
The Youth Innovator Award is presented by The Western Arctic Youth Collective.
Check out this beautiful video featuring 2021 Hall of Innovator Lifetime Achievement recipient, Rolf Hougen.
2020
GORD DUNCAN
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gord Duncan received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in building Total North Communications and for doing so in a way that inspired an enthusiasm for innovation in his team and the broader community. Dan Johnson, current President of Total North Communications, and Gord’s son, Brandon Duncan, accepted the award and spoke about Gord’s contributions.
BEN POWERS, CARL BURGESS, TAREK COS-JABBAR
Notable Innovators Award
Ben Powers of Solvest, Carl Burgess, and Tarek Bos – Jabbar, of sister company ColdAcre Food Systems, received a Notable Innovators Award for their incredible work to bring renewable solar energy to the North and to address issues of food security for northerners.
GINA NAGANO
Notable Innovators Award
Gina Nagano received a Notable Innovators Award for her inspiring work to implement Community Safety Officer Programs and crime prevention projects through environmental design in many First Nation communities across the Yukon.
RIDE FOR DAD YUKON
Notable Innovators Award
Sean Secord, Co-Chair, accepted a Notable Innovators Award on behalf of Ride for Dad Yukon for being a national leader in the crusade to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.
SYDNEY OLAND
Notable Innovators Award
Sydney Oland received a Notable Innovators Award for her work in establishing Yukon Provisions.
Sydney took her experience and knowledge gained from building the first chocolate factory north of 60 and used it to develop and open a complete commercial kitchen and food manufacturing facility that provides other small food startups an opportunity to grow in an affordable space with access to support and expertise.
Check out this short video to hear from the 2020 Hall of Innovator Award recipients, and to check out the Hall of Innovators Installation at NorthLight Innovation.
The Hall of Innovators is brought to you in partnership with Government of Yukon.
