Born in Alberta, Mary Elaine (Sweet) Whitford first came north in 1964 as a university student and after attaining her Masters in Social Work, returned in 1965 to work in Fort Smith, where she also met her future husband, Tony Whitford. Elaine and Tony raised their three sons in the Northwest Territories. Elaine was lost to cancer in 2003. Elaine’s thirty-two year career in social work was marked by a passion and commitment that made her a role model for many young northerners pursuing a career in the field. During her life, Elaine contributed greatly to the well-being of Northerners and was influential in encouraging and assisting many of them to remain in school and pursue a post-secondary education. Former Commissioner Tony Whitford and his family established the fund to recognize the contribution Elaine made to the North, and build on her legacy by supporting NWT post-secondary students who want to make a difference and make our communities stronger.
Pursuing a second or subsequent year of post-secondary studies in the fields of social work or nursing
Residents of the Northwest Territories for at least the last 2 consecutive years
First priority will be given to applicants of Indigenous ancestry who have lived in the Northwest Territories for at least one half of their lives; second priority will be given to other resident of the Northwest Territories who have lived in the Northwest Territories for at least one half of their lives
