Eight Mystery Lake Motor Hotel employees were recently honoured for their years of service and dedication.

The honorees were treated to a formal dinner, a cheque and a ceremonial drum from the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN), which is the owner of the hotel.

In attendance was Chief Jerry Primrose, along with councillors D’Arcy Linklater and Marcel Moody.

Linklater explained the significance of the drums that the honorees were presented with, speaking to their deep traditional meaning, especially with respect to relationships, specifically relationships among family.

The eight people honored have offered 196 years of uninterrupted and dedicated service to the Mystery Lake Motor Hotel, and have no doubt forged many long-standing and meaningful relationships in the community.

Those honoured include: Maria Guerra (35 years service), Gloria Hermenegildo (34 years), Pat Hanson (33 years), Caroline, Williamson (28 years), Marlene Stoltz (19 years), Janet Andrews (18 years), Josie Haney (16 years) and Molly Stapleton (15 years).

Hotel general manager Rob Roberts said in an e-mail to the Thompson Citizen that he was nearly overwhelmed by emotion while speaking at the dinner, and that the years of service is a truly remarkable achievement, especially in this day and age.