Current Press Releases

YELLOWKNIFE (June 4, 2009) – On Wednesday, June 3rd, two distinguished northerners joined ranks with Max Ward in the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame.

“To become a member of the Tourism Hall of Fame you must have made tourism your life’s work and made a positive impact on the industry – and Jean and Merlyn Carter have certainly earned this honour. They lead the way in showcasing our spectacular North,” said Bob McLeod, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Pioneers in promoting Canada’s North, Jean and the late Merlyn Carter founded Carter Air Services Ltd. and built their famous fishing lodge at Nonacho Lake where they provided over 40 years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.

A bush pilot for more than half a century, Merlyn was also a tourism aviation pioneer. He transported anglers, their canoes strapped to floats, to rivers throughout the Canadian North and Arctic. Merlyn took hundreds of sightseers and naturalists in his aircraft into Nahanni National Park as well as other scenic locations throughout the Northwest Territories. Additionally, Merlyn was also actively involved in many search and rescue missions for persons who became lost while fishing, hiking or even flying.

In 2005, Jean and Merlyn Carter were also formally recognized by Northwest Territories Tourism for their outstanding and exceptional service given as well their leadership and integrity within the industry.

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For more information contact:

David Hastings
Director, Tourism and Parks
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 873-7902

Drew Williams
Communications Coordinator
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2304