Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper residents Nancy Addison and Dwain Wacko were among 20 individuals from West Yellowhead to receive the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
West Yellowhead MLA Martin Long presented the medals during a presentation ceremony at the Galloway Station Museum in Edson on Jan. 21.
Alberta’s Platinum Jubilee Medal commemorates the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne as Queen of Canada.
The medal is being awarded to 7,000 Albertans throughout 2022 in recognition of significant contributions to the province.
Addison, for example, took on the task of assisting over 100 Ukrainian refugees with housing, jobs and “a compassionate vision toward assimilating in their new world,” the citation read.
“I hope (this recognition) highlights for people that the need is ongoing, and if it brings that to everyone’s attention, that’s the best part about the medal,” Addison said.
“My next big goal is to bring children, but, of course, with the housing situation, it’s next to impossible.”
Many of the refugees coming to Jasper tend to stay in people’s spare bedrooms more than taking up any kind of housing, but they would ideally be tourist rooms.
Due to fewer employment opportunities during the winter, some refugees have left for Vancouver or Edmonton, but most have stayed.
Addison was also named community ambassador of the year for her work with Ukrainians during the Chamber’s awards gala last fall.
“I couldn’t have done it without this town and their willingness to step forward in such a circumstance,” she said.
Wacko was unable to attend the ceremony and accept his medal, but he stated in an email to the Fitzhugh how he was “flattered and thankful for this award.”
His family owned Chaba Theatre for generations, and he has served as a president and board member of the local Chamber, as well as town councillor for more than one term.
Though now retired, Wacko remains active in many areas of the community while supporting new endeavors that benefit Jasper, his citation read.
Hinton had three recipients—Janice Baxter, Natalie Charlton and Charlene Sitar.
The other recipients from West Yellowhead were Tara Baker, Wanda Belbin, Joanne Belke, Jayne Buchwald, Ryan Deroche, Winston Delorme, Merv Hilland, Marsha Jensen, Gary Kuefler, Cheryl Luckwell, Yvonne Rempel, Kyle Scott, Erica Snook-Pennings, Wendy Williams and Brian Wynn.
