The Lieutenant Governor’s First Peoples Medal recognizes outstanding contributions by members of the First Nations and Inuit Nation. This recognition highlights the career paths of remarkable individuals who, through their dedication, commitment, and achievements, contribute to the influence of their community, of their Nation or of First Peoples throughout Québec, elsewhere in Canada or internationally. The recipients are recognized as inspiring and transformative individuals who address the social, cultural, and economic challenges of First Peoples.
The First Peoples Medal is an acknowledgement and honour awarded to recipients for their outstanding contribution to their people; its significance is therefore not political in nature.
This medal is awarded under the existing Lieutenant Governor of Québec Awards Program.
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First Nations Category | Inuit Category |
The medal attached to a ribbon to be worn around the neck and is available in two categories, depending on the membership of the recipients—either First Nations or Inuit Nation.
The medal awarded to a member of the First Nations features an engraving (obverse and centre) by the Abenaki and Wendat artist Christine Sioui-Wawanoloath. The medal awarded to a member of the Inuit Nation features an engraving by Inuit artist Daniel Inukpuk. For both medals, the name of the Lieutenant Governor then in office is on the perimeter. Québec appears on the reverse side with indications to the locations of First Nations communities or northern Inuit villages.
To be considered eligible, the candidate must, before the nomination deadline,
The phrase “a First Nation recognized in Québec” refers to the following First Nations: the Abenaki (Waban-Aki), Algonquin (Anicinape), Attikamek (Nehirowisiw), Cree (Eeyou), Huron-Wendat (Hurons-Wendat), Innu (Innu), Maliseet (Wahsipekuk), Micmac (Mi’gmaq), Mohawk (Kahnien’kehake) and Naskapi (Naskapi).
Only one First Peoples Medal may be awarded to the same person.
Organizations are not eligible to receive the First Peoples Medal.
The Lieutenant Governor does not confer awards posthumously. However, a person’s candidacy continues to be eligible if the person’s death occurs after the application has been submitted.
To the extent possible, one First Peoples Medal shall be awarded annually by the Lieutenant Governor of Québec to a member of each of the First Nations and of the Inuit Nation recognized in Québec. However, the number of medals awarded may be lower or higher in the interest of fairness, taking into account representativeness and the number of nominations received.
Individuals, community organizations and Indigenous authorities recognized in Québec may submit nominations by completing the online form for each recommended person. The due date is May 31 of each year.
The form will no longer be available online after the due date, so as to allow the necessary time for managers to process the nominations. No extensions of this due date shall be granted for submitting a nomination, regardless of the reason.
When completing the form, you must consider the following:
Nominations will be submitted to an Advisory Committee made up of either First Nations or Inuit Nation representatives, depending on the category of medal to be awarded.
The Advisory Committee for the First Nations category is composed of a Chair-Secretary and 10 representative members from each of the 10 First Nations recognized in Québec, for a total of 11 individuals.
The Advisory Committee for the Inuit Nation category is composed of a Chair-Secretary and at least 2 members representing the Inuit Nation recognized in Québec.
This Advisory Committee is a body whose role is:
The Advisory Committee is in no way linked to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor with regards to its role as identified above.
The Advisory Committee reserves the right to refuse any nomination which does not meet the eligibility criteria or for any other valid reason it deems appropriate.
The announcement of the award of the medal to each recipient will be made by means of an official letter from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor with information on the award ceremony. To receive their medal, each recipient must attend, in person, the ceremony to which they will be invited. However, a recipient may be represented by another person if the medal is awarded posthumously.
The medals will be presented to the recipients by the Lieutenant Governor at an official ceremony. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor will make every effort to ensure that the medal is awarded within two calendar years from the date of the award.
There are no monetary awards associated with the Lieutenant Governor of Québec Awards Program.
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