The Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals will be handed out all across Canada today, marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's ascent to the throne.
In Yellowknife, one young woman — Pooja Chugh — will get a medal for reasons not too many 18-year-olds can brag about.
"Right now I'm working with a team of doctors, researching MS [multiple sclerosis] and trying to find a cure for the disease," she said.
Chugh studies medicine at the University of Toronto but lived in Yellowknife for more than 15 years.
While she lived in Yellowknife, she was a constant volunteer to help people with disabilities.
Churgh said she didn’t expect to get such a high honour.
"When I was in school I played a lot of sports so I was competing and expected to win medals and stuff like that," she said.
"But with this, to be recognized like this, I never really expected it. My grandmother is very excited; she is actually a big fan of the Queen."
About 60,000 other Canadians will be given Diamond Jubilee medals on Sunday.