Program

Recipient: Clive Tolley

Clive Tolley was born and raised in Moose Jaw. 

Clive attended Ross Elementary School, and A.E. Peacock High School. 

While in high school, Clive joined the Saskatchewan Dragoons Militia Regiment, served four years, and was honourably discharged as a corporal. 

He graduated from the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. 

Clive has always been involved in the Moose Jaw community. He volunteered as a hockey, baseball, and softball coach for 25 years. 

His hockey coaching achievements include a championship with the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Midget Flyers, assistant general manager/assistant coach of the Moose Jaw Canucks of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, and national team head coach for the Turkish Ice Hockey Federation. 

He served one term as councillor from 1988 to 1991 and served on many volunteer boards and committees in his community. 

After working with the Government of Canada and Government of Saskatchewan, Clive worked as the Vietnam country manager for the United Kingdom Border Agency at the British Embassy in Hanoi. 

Prior to being elected Mayor, Clive was a chartered mediator and chartered arbitrator for more than 20 years. 

Clive is married to Muriel, an educator, and they have two adult children.

Recipient: Jason Dittmann

Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Jason is a proud Canadian prairie boy. Jason is an alumnus of Luther College High School and completed his bachelor of administration at the University of Regina in 1999. 

Jason began his information technology (IT) career in 2000 and is currently the president and owner of MicroAge Regina. Jason and his team advanced MicroAge Regina into a very well-respected IT services company across North America. 

Jason and his team led MicroAge Regina to multiple Channel Futures MSP 501 World rankings and seven consecutive years of recognition as one of the top 50 Managed IT Providers in Canada. MicroAge was also recognized with a Paragon Award for Regina Business of the Year in 2018. 

Jason is proud of his volunteer endeavors having served in a volunteer capacity with the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years, currently serving as the past chair of the board of directors. 

He and his wife Tracy have two girls. Emily, a competitive cheerleader and Julie, a hockey player which Jason has coached for many years. 

Jason believes his own journey of continuous learning through formal courses, peer mentorship and acquiring knowledge from experts has offered some pathways to success over the years.

Recipient: Tammy Cook-Searson

A member of Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), Tammy Cook-Searson was raised on the family trapline near Brabant Lake, Northern Saskatchewan. A fluent Cree speaker, Cook-Searson is exceptionally proud of her First Nations heritage, and is a strong advocate of culture and language, maintaining strong ties to the land. Elected LLRIB councillor at the age of 25, she served three terms before she was elected as the band’s first female Chief in 2005. Cook-Searson is currently serving her seventh conservative term.

As Chief of LLRIB, Cook-Searson is president of Kitsaki Management Limited Partnership, which manages the band's economic development activities. The Kitsaki portfolio is diverse, with investments in insurance, engineering, mining, utility project management, environment, hospitality, transportation, and more. Kitsaki is committed to long-term, sustainable business, and continues to develop opportunities that meet the appropriate profitability, risk, and employment criteria.

Tammy received a graduate diploma in management and is completing her master of business administration degree from Athabasca University. In recognition of her leadership in developing solutions for social challenges, advocacy for Indigenous issues, and community service, Cook-Searson has been recognized with many awards, including: the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business – Woman in Leadership Award (2021); Award Canadian Armed Forces Special Service Medal (2020); Honorary Diploma of Business Administration from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (2019); Louisa Sanderson Memorial Award, La Ronge Native Women’s Council (2019); Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce ABEX Award for Community Leader of the Year (2017); Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Regina (2016); Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2006); and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).

Cook-Searson serves as board director with multiple organizations, including the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Board, Cameco Corporation, Saskatoon Airport Authority, and the Assembly of First Nations. Her role as LLRIB Chief also means she is an active member of the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. As a Canadian ranger with the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, she assists with search and rescue operations in the region.

Driven by a collective vision of community, Cook-Searson recently played an instrumental role in working with others to lobby for the funding of building a Wellness, Treatment, and Recovery Centre in La Ronge. This Centre provides northerners with timely access to mental health and addiction support services, blending treatment with traditional Woodland Cree teachings.

Recipient: Tim Gitzel

Tim Gitzel is president and CEO of Cameco, one of the largest global providers of uranium fuel.  He was appointed in July of 2011, having joined the company in 2007 as chief operating officer.  He has extensive experience in Canadian and international uranium mining activities through more than 30 years of senior management and legal experience.  Prior to Cameco, he was executive vice-president for the mining business unit of Orano in Paris, France with responsibility for global uranium, gold, exploration, and decommissioning operations in 11 countries. He also served as president and chief executive officer of Orano’s Canadian subsidiary.

Tim was born and raised in Saskatchewan and has both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Saskatchewan. 

Tim currently serves on the boards of the World Nuclear Association, Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute, the Business Council of Canada and The Mosaic Company. He is a member of the IAEA’s Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy, as well as the advisory councils for the Canada-India Business Council, the Edwards School of Business, the University of Saskatchewan College of Law and a Saskatchewan Polytechnic President’s Circle member. He is past chair of the World Nuclear Association, past president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, and has served on the boards of Mining Association of Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Association, Sask Energy and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Tim was co-chair of the Royal Care campaign raising funds for the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon and served as vice-president, communications for the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships.

As well, Tim serves as Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan to Saskatchewan and is Co-Chair of the Kazakhstan Canada Business Council.

He was named one of the 100 Alumni of Influence from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007, is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and of both the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals.