Lawson W. Brigham was the High North Hero 2024. Here he receives the award from Patti Bruns, secretary of the Arctic Mayors' Forum. Photo: Adrian Svendsen Bensvik / Nord University.
This article is more than one year old.
Since 2016, the High North Hero Award has celebrated people and organizations making life better in the Arctic.
Handed out by the High North Center for Business and Governance at Nord University in Norway, the award recognizes those who inspire action, find innovative solutions, and bring communities together to tackle the challenges of the region.
Now the nomination deadline has just passed, and the real work begins.
The selection committee is diving into the process of choosing the next High North Hero from a strong pool of candidates.
– We have received many outstanding nominations, reflecting the dedication and innovation driving positive change in the Arctic, says prize coordinator Andrey Kazakov at the High North Center.
– Now, the international selection committee has an important task ahead: choosing the winner.
But what is the international committee looking for when evaluating?
What makes a High North Hero?
Patti Bruns, Secretary General of the Arctic Mayors’ Forum and a member of the committee, explains what sets nominees apart:
– A High North Hero is someone who fosters collaboration, uplifts Indigenous voices, and develops innovative solutions for the Arctic’s challenges, she says.
This can mean anything from advancing sustainable practices and creating new knowledge about the Arctic to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The focus, Bruns emphasizes, is on real impact:
– These are people whose actions create tangible benefits for communities in the Arctic and inspire others to do the same.
Past winners have come from a variety of fields. What unites them is their significant and positive impact on life in the Arctic.
Why celebrate these contributions?
The Arctic faces major global challenges, from climate change to shifting geopolitics. For Bruns, recognizing those making a difference is more than just an award.
It sends a powerful message: that leadership, creativity, and collaboration matter, and they can drive meaningful change
By amplifying the work of the High North Heroes, the award encourages others to dream big and take action, grounded in the values of respect, sustainability, and collaboration.
– We want young people to see the Arctic as a place of opportunity—a region where their ideas and actions can truly make a difference, Bruns says.
The winner will be announced during an award ceremony at High North Dialogue on Thursday, March 27, at 11:00 at Radisson Blu Bodø.
About the High North Hero Award
The High North Hero award honors a person, organization or company who has contributed to highlighting or developing the High North.
The prize is organized by the High North Center for Business and Governance at Nord university in Bodø, Norway.
The prize is given out during the High North Dialogue conference.
About the High North Hero Award
The High North Hero award honors a person, organization or company who has contributed to highlighting or developing the High North.
The prize is organized by the High North Center for Business and Governance at Nord university in Bodø, Norway.
The prize is given out during the High North Dialogue conference.
