Press Release
February 24, 2025
MP Jenny Kwan Presents King Charles III Coronation Medals to Outstanding Community Leaders
Vancouver—Jenny Kwan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East, presented the King Charles III Coronation Medals to another 12 outstanding community members at Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on February 24.
In December last year, MP Kwan presented the King Charles III Coronation Medals to 18 distinguished leaders in the community at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. This is the second medal presentation for the Vancouver East Member of Parliament.
The Coronation Medal was established to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian medal to mark a coronation.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or to a particular provinces, territory, region or community of Canada, or who have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Kwan stated, “In our community, many individuals work tirelessly in our community, and through their dedication, they have and continue to make significant contributions to Canadian society. Through the King Charles III Coronation Medal, we honor 30 exceptional community members for their incredible achievements and unrelenting resolve to make a difference.”
Those nominated by MP Kwan for this prestigious medal come from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, environmental and human rights advocacy, education, social services, arts and culture.
The full list of the 29 outstanding community members nominated by MP Kwan to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal is as follows:
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Stuart Alcock (Social Services)
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Patricia Barnes (Community Services)
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Don Chapman (Human Rights Advocacy)
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Cenon Bagon (Migrant Labor, Workers’ Rights, Human Rights)
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Bill Chu (Human Rights, Education)
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Charles Demers (Culture, Community)
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Bertha Miriam Esquitin (Culture, Community)
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Sharon Gregson (Childcare Advocacy)
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SD Holman (Human Rights Advocacy)
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Terry Hunter (Community Services, Culture)
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Diane Janes (Veteran Services)
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Am Johal (Education, Human Rights)
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Ilana Labow (Environmental Advocacy, Community, Education)
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Wai Yin Lau (Arts and Culture, Education)
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Norm Leech (Indigenous and Community Services)
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Stephanie Leo (Culture, Community)
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Thekla Lit (Human Rights, Education)
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Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur (Human Rights Advocacy)
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Margaret Pfoh (Indigenous and Community Services)
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Cecilia Point (Indigenous and Community Services)
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Grace Quan (Hydrogen Energy, Environmental Advocacy)
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Friba Rezayee (Women’s Rights Leadership, Human Rights)
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Mark Schutzbank (Environmental Advocacy, Community, Education)
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Louise Schwarz (Environmental Advocacy, Community Services)
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Edward Takayanagi (Community and Culture)
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Mabel Tung (Human Rights)
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Savannah Walling (Community Services, Culture)
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Robert Weatherbe (Environmental Advocacy, Community, Education)
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Lorelei Williams (Indigenous Advocacy, Human Rights, Arts and Culture)
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Master Lian Tzi (Social Services)
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List of the 30 outstanding community members nominated by Jenny Kwan to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal
Stuart Alcock
In recognition of your public service, your work in community and social services, and your dedication to volunteerism, justice and equality in democracy.
Patricia Barnes
In recognition of your public service, your work in our community as Executive Director of the Hastings North BIA and as a leader in grassroots community economic development.
Don Chapman
In recognition of your public service, your advocacy for Lost Canadians and your commitment to citizenship and justice.
Cenon Bagon
In recognition of your work as co-founder of the Committee for the Advancement of the Rights of Domestic Workers (CARDWO) and the Vancouver Committee for Domestic Workers and Caregivers Rights (CDWCR), and your commitment to justice and human rights.
Bill Chu
In recognition of your work as founder of Canadians for Reconciliation, and for your commitment to culture and democracy.
Charles Demers
In recognition of your community service and excellent work in the arts, culture, youth mental health, comedy, and history fields.
Miriam Esquitin
In recognition of your work leading, teaching, managing, and volunteering in community-based arts.
Sharon Gregson
In recognition of your decades of work of advocacy to bring about quality, affordable child care system in B.C. and Canada-wide.
SD Holman
In recognition of your leadership in fighting for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, your community service and outstanding work as Founding Artistic Director Emeritus of the Queer Arts Festival.
Terry Hunter
In recognition of your work as Co-Founder of the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival, and your commitment to community-engaged art practice.
Diane Janes
In recognition of your public service as President of the Royal Canadian Legion #179 Grandview-Collingwood, and your leadership in advancing diversity and serving Veterans of all generations, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ and the local community.
Am Johal
In recognition of your public service, your work in education, justice and democracy, and the arts, and your dedication to promoting human rights.
Ilana Labow
In recognition of your work to establish Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society, and local and national school meals programs, and your commitment to education, food security, and food literacy.
Wai Yin Lau
In recognition of your role as Founding President of the Chinese Calligraphy Association of Western Canada, your artistry, and your dedication to promoting Chinese calligraphy.
Stephanie Leo
In recognition of your public service and your dedicated work to recognize, preserve, and grow culture and heritage in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
Norm Leech
In recognition of your public service, your commitment to decolonizing and restorative justice, and your work to support community, culture, Indigenous peoples and newcomers.
Thekla Lit
In recognition of your work as founder and president of BC ALPHA, your public service, and your deep commitment to education, justice and democracy.
Aleks Selim Dughman Manzur
In recognition of your work in our community and beyond as Co-Executive Director of Rainbow Refugee, and your advocacy for migrants, refugees and LGBTQI+ communities.
Margaret Pooh
In recognition of your work as a co-founding partner of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association BC and the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc., and your commitment to not-for-profit and social housing.
Cecilia Point
In recognition of your leadership in our community, your work in upholding Indigenous rights, and your commitment to supporting the needs of vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside and beyond.
Grace Quan
In recognition of your award-winning work as founder, President and CEO of Hydrogen In Motion Inc., your leadership in the hydrogen energy sector, and your commitment to diversity and equality in STEAM fields.
Friba Rezayee
In recognition of your work as founder of Women Leaders of Tomorrow, helping Afghan women and girls gain access to education and sport, and your commitment to equality and migrant rights.
Master Lian Tzi (May Jean Pai)
In recognition of your work as the Founding President of the Lotus Light Charity Society, your leadership to support vulnerable people, and your commitment to the betterment of our community.
Mark Schutzbank
In recognition of your work to establish Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society and your commitment to bringing about local and national school meal programs.
Louise Schwarz
In recognition of your work and leadership as co-founder of Recycling Alternative and Terraforma Systems, developing and implementing sustainable waste management, recycling, clean tech, and circular economy practices.
Edward Takayanagi
In recognition of your work as President of the Powell Street Festival Society, and your leadership and commitment to community arts and culture.
Mabel Tung
In recognition of your public service, your work as the Chair of the Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement, and your commitment to education, justice and democracy.
Robert Weatherbe
In recognition of your work and leadership as co-founder of Recycling Alternative and Terraforma Systems, developing and implementing sustainable waste management, recycling, clean tech, and circular economy practices.
Lorelei Williams
In recognition of your work as the founder of Butterflies in Spirit, raising awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and your commitment to justice and healing for Indigenous peoples.
Savannah Walling
In recognition of your work as Co-Founder of the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival, and your commitment to community-engaged art practice.
