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George Lester Tuccaro, ONWT, public broadcaster, politician, 16th commissioner of the Northwest Territories (born 12 May 1950 in northern Alberta). George Tuccaro is a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation of northern Alberta. Prior to entering public service, Tuccaro had a distinguished career in broadcasting. From 2010 to 2016, Tuccaro served as the 16th commissioner of the Northwest Territories.
Early Career and Public Life
George Tuccaro began his career as a broadcaster in 1971. As an Announcer-Operator with CBC North Radio in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Tuccaro was an integral part of reporting life in the north to a broader Canadian audience. In 1979, he joined the public service when he became a communications officer with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, fulfilling the role until 1981 (see also Federal Departments of Indigenous and Northern Affairs). Tuccaro then returned to broadcasting when he joined CBC North as a Coordinator of Aboriginal Languages Programming. Here, he worked to develop a stronger platform for the promotion of Indigenous languages in radio broadcasting, promoting and developing Indigenous language talent by recruiting for Slavey, Denesuline (Chipewyan) and Tlicho (Dogrib) language reports.
During his time with CBC, Tuccaro produced influential documentary work. One program receiving international acclaim was a radio documentary on the rate of teen suicide in northern Canada. From 1990 to 1991, Tuccaro also served as the Coordinator of the Cultural Industries Program. In this role, he created a booking agency for northern performing artists in the Northwest Territories. He also hosted Trail's End, a CBC North Radio program, and was the anchor of Northbeat, the first daily current affairs television program in Canada's north until 2002.
Entrepreneurship
In 2002, George Tuccaro retired from public broadcasting and started his own company, GLT Communications, whose goal was to bring major events to the territory. Since its inception it has grown to include presentations on issues important to northern communities, including workshops on healthy lifestyles, grief and loss, and the psychological and social ramifications of the residential schools system in Canada.
Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
On 12 May 2010, George Tuccaro was appointed the 16th commissioner of the Northwest Territories, succeeding Tony Whitford. Commissioners are federally appointed and fulfill roles similar to that of a provincial lieutenant-governor. On 10 May 2016, Tuccaro retired from the role of commissioner of the Northwest Territories.
Volunteer Work & Awards
George Tuccaro has been widely recognized for his contribution to public life and has also served in numerous volunteer capacities. He has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and a National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now Indspire Award). He has also served on the Northwest Territories Arts Council, the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Cultural Enhancement Committee, as a Juno Awards juror and as a member of the VANOC 2010 Opening/Closing Ceremony Planning Committee. In 2015, Tuccaro was appointed to the Order of the Northwest Territories.
