NUNAVUT - A national Inuit leader, a respected elder and a reverend are the inaugural recipients of the Order of Nunavut, the territorial government announced June 29.

The late Jose Amaujaq Kusugak of Rankin Inlet, the late Mark Kalluak of Arviat and Reverend Michael Gardener of Iqaluit will receive the territory's highest honour sometime this fall.

"The impact of their contributions to our territory will be measured in generations," stated Hunter Tootoo, Nunavut's Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, in a press release.

The order recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic well-being of Nunavut.

Gardener, a retired Anglican minister, was ordained in England before coming to Canada in 1955. He served as a priest in Kimmirut, Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung before settling in Iqaluit in the early 1980s. He served as dean of St. Jude's Cathedral until he retired in 1996.

Gardener said he was amazed to learn he would receive the award.

"It knocked me over with surprise," he said. "It's a nice surprise. I feel very honoured to be given this award."

Receiving the awards "means a lot" to him, he added.

"I know that many, many people in Nunavut really do deserve this honour more than me. But I'm thankful and appreciate the kindness," he said. "We're welcomed here and what we are trying to do is noticed and (we are) thankful for that."

Kusugak died of cancer at age 60 in January. Kalluak died in May.

"I know that the families of Jose and Mark will be very proud to accept the Order of Nunavut on their behalf," stated Jack Anawak, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. vice-president, in a press release. "As they join with Mike and his family later this year to receive this honour, Nunavummiut will be united in paying tribute to three leaders whose legacies touch us all."

Kalluak was was widely known as an expert on Inuit culture and language. Kalluak was also a businessman and a former mayor of Arviat. Born in 1942 and raised traditionally on the western shore of Hudson Bay, he was struck with polio in 1948 and sent to Winnipeg for treatment. During his four-year hospital stay, he taught himself to read and write syllabics as well as English as a second language.

Kalluak's daughter Jessie Kaludjak said her father would have been very humbled to receive the award.

"It's like perfect timing because he just passed away last month and of course we miss him dearly but with this award it gives us comfort knowing he made a difference," she said. "I had tears of joy, not sadness. I am very grateful he would even be considered for something like that."

Kusugak served as president of the land claims organization Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. from 1984 to 2000. He subsequently served as president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) from 2000 to 2006 and the Kivalliq Inuit Association from 2006 to 2010. He also lobbied ITK for a standardized Inuktitut writing system before becoming the chairman of the Inuit Language Commission.

Kusugak had also worked as area manager with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Kivalliq from 1980 to 1990.

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