Officer of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: May 19, 2022
- Invested on: June 21, 2023
The Honourable Ethel Dorothy Blondin Andrew, P.C., O.C.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Ethel Blondin Andrew is a Sahtu Dene and Métis leader in Canada’s North. One of the first Indigenous language teachers in the Northwest Territories, she contributes to the training and development of Indigenous people in both government and private sectors. As Canada’s first Indigenous woman to serve as Member of Parliament, she helped advance portfolios related to children, youth and northern affairs. Past chair of the Sahtu Secretariat and senior advisor to the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, she is an active advocate for Indigenous-led initiatives in support of community and land well-being.