The award goes to someone who has contributed to highlighting or developing the High North and the Arctic. The prize consists of NOK 50,000 and is awarded during the annual High North Dialogue conference in Bodo.

It is safe to say that this year’s winner – Inuit-leader Mary Simon – is an extraordinary person in every way:

– The High North Hero 2018, Mary Simon, has been outstanding over decades in her engagement for improving the situation, living conditions and welfare of indigenous people of the Arctic. Her contributions have raised international awareness of the Arctic, both of opportunities for value creation and of challenges to succeed in the work to realize these opportunities, states Director of the High North Center for Business and Governance, Frode Mellemvik.

– I am very happy about the decision of the High North Hero selection committee, and I know that her work has not only created new ways of thinking and acting in the Arctic, but it has also been an inspiration for those who are engaged in developing the Arctic, for the benefit of both the people living there and of the global society engaged in the resources available in the Arctic, says Mellemvik.

Read the full article in High North News website.