Yukoner Anne Lewis received the Women in Mining Canada 2022 Trailblazer Award at the Prospectors’ and Developers’ Conference on June 14 in Toronto.

Lewis, is the president of Yukon Women in Mining (YukonWIM) , which made the announcement Tuesday, and the executive director of the Yukon Mining Alliance (YMA).

She was recognized with the prestigious national award for her work to support and advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the industry, and her leadership and innovation in developing the globally recognized Invest Yukon initiatives and brand with Yukon Mining Alliance.

Lewis accepted the award in front of industry peers from across the country.

“I’m fortunate to spend every day in a career that I love and in an industry I’m passionate about,” she said in her award acceptance speech.

“From six months old to 16, I travelled to historic mine sites and Yukon First Nations communities with my father – a reclamation and community engagement specialist and innovator – and learned the importance of empowering people and building communities.”

Lewis was nominated by Kaeili Gattens, the director of Environment, Social and Governance for the JDS Group of Companies.

There was support from YukonWIM director Allison Rippin-Armstrong, Casino Mining Corp. President & CEO Paul West-Sells, Math’ieya Alatini, chief strategist for GSD Strategies (and former Chief of Kluane First Nation) and Yukon Party MLA Scott Kent.

“Today, as a connector and conduit between industries, federal, territorial and Indigenous partners and people and projects across the North, I discovered my passion for the minerals industry,” added Lewis.

“It’s an incredible honour to accept this award, and I extend my sincere appreciation to my allies, my advocates and my family.”

Established in 2012, Women in Mining Canada Trailblazer Awards recognize women who “embody the trailblazing spirit, which refers to the leadership mindset needed to make extraordinary personal strides to navigate the Canada mining industry.”

Rippin-Armstrong called a trailblazer “someone who blazes a trail, guiding and creating new paths and opportunities for others.

“This absolutely describes Anne,” said Rippin-Armstrong.

“Her passion, dedication and commitment come through in everything she does. Anne is a champion for the industry and the advancement of EDI.

“All of us at YukonWIM are thrilled to congratulate Anne on receiving this well-deserved recognition and award.”

Lewis added, “Trailblazers have the responsibility to step high and deep, push obstacles away and block the wind.

“And it’s worth the challenges because you can choose the path, be creative and innovative and are strengthened by the reward of your hard work.

“And once you’ve blazed a trail, the biggest return on investment is creating access and opportunity for those who are following and are then empowered to branch off and blaze their own trail.”

Lewis is the second Yukoner to receive the award in its 10-year existence.

In 2017, Sue Craig, a geologist and YukonWIM Champion, garnered the recognition.

“We are the mining industry. We drill through rock. We can hammer through glass ceilings,” concluded Lewis.