Rick Hardy received the Order of the NWT in-person on Thursday, something he never imagined before it was announced in July.

"I've said before, I'm very surprised with the nomination. I was not expecting it," said Hardy, while standing in the NWT legislative assembly.

The Order of the NWT recognizes a small number of people in the territory for their outstanding achievements. A retired lawyer and former president of the Fort Norman M茅tis, Hardy is one of the distinguished few for 2023. Although he lived in the North for years, he now resides on Vancouver Island. So, no longer being an NWT resident, he didn't think he'd be considered for the award, he said.

Hardy found out about the honour by phone three months ago.

"The clerk called me and said, 'You've been nominated, and we're prepared to accept you, but we're not going to do it unless you tell us you're willing to accept it,'" Hardy recalled. "I said, 'Oh, yes. I'm very happy to accept it.'"

In the interim, he had to keep his lips sealed. Well, almost.

"I told my wife, that's all," he chuckled.

Helen Balanoff, another award recipient, shared a similar experience.

"It's really an honour," said Balanoff. "It makes me think of all the people around me, like my husband, my father, that have supported what I've done."

She's been an advocate for children and adults' right to education for decades. 

Wayne Balanoff, Helen's husband, smiled and said it's wonderful to see her get this award.

"It's special today," said Wayne.

The two noted that they had plenty of friends come out in support. For the rest of the day, Both and Helen and Wayne smiled at each other, explaining they're heading out to lunch with the NWT Literacy Council, in celebration, they said.

Mary Teya of Fort McPherson was the third individual chosen for this year's distinction. She's a Gwich'in speaker and long-serving community health representative.

The Order of the NWT, sponsored by the territorial government, is presented with guidance from the NWT Honours Advisory Council. The current council members are Danny Gaudet, Sabrina Broadhead, Ann Peters, Jane Arychuk and Denise MacDonald.