In a moving tribute to the late Erik Nielsen on Monday, Premier Dennis Fentie officially announced the renaming of Whitehorse International Airport in memory of "one of Yukon's most distinguished sons.

"In recognition of Erik's long service, dedication and contributions to Yukon and to Canada, the Government of Yukon has renamed the ...airport as the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport in his honour," Fentie said at the opening of the fall legislative session's last sitting day.

"Erik was a war hero, a great parliamentarian, a great Yukoner and a great Canadian. We remain forever in his debt."

After being elected to Parliament in 1957, Nielsen would soon become known as "Yukon Erik" for his staunch advocacy of northern issues, particularly those affecting the Yukon, where he served an incredible 30 years as MP.

During those years, Nielsen was minister of Public Works (1979-1980), leader of the Opposition (1983), deputy prime minister in Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative government (1984-1986) and president of the Queen's Privy Council of Canada (1984-1985).

In addition to successfully advocating the first territorial formula financing agreement between Ottawa and the Yukon government, Nielsen was instrumental in establishing the northern living tax exemption that exists to this day.

Perhaps his most enduring legacy was advocating for and securing the vote for Canada's aboriginal people, who until 1960 were disenfranchised, unless they surrendered their treaty rights.

"It was his persistence in the House of Commons in 1960 that brought Indian and Inuit people the right to vote," said Rolf Hougen, longtime friend and prominent Yukoner .

Sadly, on Sept. 4, Nielsen succumbed to a massive heart attack at his Kelowna, B.C. home. He was 84.

As notes of condolences and fond memories flooded in from across the country and across partisan lines, talk of an appropriate memorial to Yukon Erik began.

"There was great enthusiasm," Hougen said of his suggestion Whitehorse International Airport be named after Nielsen. "I think it will be well-received."

With Nielsen's family and friends seated in the gallery of the legislature Monday, the premier bestowed such an honour - fitting for the late Nielsen, a former Second World War bomber pilot who was very much responsible for the modern airport in Whitehorse that Yukoners enjoy to this day.

Following the announcement, Rick Nielsen, Erik's son, said the Nielsen family was very honoured by the government's gesture.

"But I can't help but think that my dad would not be happy with this; he was not the type to go for this sort of tribute," Rick told the Star.

Asked what his father would have preferred, Rick offered another glimpse into the the straight-shooting, no-nonsense style that embodied Erik Nielsen's public life and service to Canada and the territory.

"He would've told you that the work he did was paid for by taxpayer dollars and that was enough for him," said Rick. "Erik would have wanted nothing else for it."

"The renaming of the Whitehorse International Airport is a recognition that will symbolize Mr. Nielsen's contribution to the North and to Canada," said Highways and Public Works Minister Archie Lang.