Exceptional Ontarians Celebrated at Annual Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards Ceremony 14 Ontarians receive awards honouring the work of former Lieutenant Governors

The Ontario government is recognizing 14 exceptional Ontarians including two Essex County residents with awards at the annual Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards Ceremony for the work they have done to build a stronger, more inclusive and welcoming Ontario.

These awards, named after four previous Lieutenant Governors —the Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, the Honourable James Bartleman, the Honourable David C. Onley and the Honourable Hilary M. Weston — honour their legacies and contributions in the areas of anti-racism, literature, accessibility and mental health research.

“I am proud to further the legacy of my predecessors by presenting these awards that bear their name to 14 worthy recipients,” said the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “Through their creativity, leadership and determination to improve the lives of others, they have made impressive and inspirational contributions to their communities and to our province.”

The recipients of these awards have demonstrated leadership by supporting and empowering Indigenous and underrepresented communities, following in the footsteps of the previous Lieutenant Governors. This is the first time since her appointment as Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Edith Dumont recognized recipients at the annual award ceremony.

The 14 recipients recognized at the Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards ceremony are:

Lincoln M. Alexander Award: Established in 1993, the 2024 award recognizes young people who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in eliminating racial discrimination and promoting equity and inclusion.

• Lladaneyah Gayle
• Given Messam-Harris
• Rukshika Krishnamoorthy

Lladaneyah Gayle of Amherstburg cofounded Windsor’s Black Youth Empowerment Program, helping racialized youth become entrepreneurs. She is a member of the Black Advisory Student Committee for the Greater Essex County District School Board and has created events at high school focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. Lladaneyah continuously finds new ways to uplift and inspire Black youth.

James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Award: Established in 2008, the 2024 award recognizes Indigenous youth for their creative writing talent.

• Loveena Nothing
• Jersey Kakekayash
• Amethyst Richard
• Noah Faucher
• Michael Taukei
• Tatum Naveau

McGregor’s Amethyst Richard’s creative, thought-provoking fantasy, “A Broken Reflection,” expresses the author’s sense of feeling alone. The story takes the reader on a journey in which despair turns into hope.

David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility: Established in 2014, the award recognizes Ontarians who have gone above and beyond to improve accessibility and the quality of life of people with disabilities.

• John Leadston
• Prasanna Ranganathan
• Jolie Gan

Hilary M. Weston Scholarship: Established in 2002, the 2024 scholarship recognizes graduate-level social work students for their contributions to mental health research.

• Robyn Mahood
• Ngaire Rasmussen

The recipients were recognized in a ceremony at the Art Gallery of Ontario presided over by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. She was joined by Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, and Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education.