Ten more central Albertans honoured with QEII Platinum Jubilee Medals

In his job, Gabriel has supported the settlement and integration efforts of many refugees, including from Iraq and Syria. Originally from South Sudan, he was a refugee student himself when he arrived in Canada in 2003.

William Gabriel (middle left) receives his QEII Platinum Jubilee Medal alongside Red Deer-North MLA Adriana LaGrange (left), CAIWA Executive Director Halima Ali (middle right), and Red Deer RCMP officer Jeff Bond on Jan. 28 at RDP. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“I feel humbled and honoured to receive this award. My work is rewarding because we work with vulnerable communities, refugees and people who have no idea how to do things once they get here. Basically, they depend on us, me included as a counsellor, to show them the way. Our guidance is their light,” says Gabriel.

“The recognition is affirming of the work we do, and it’s given me time to think about not just being happy with the award, but considering it as a challenge to work more and put more effort into looking after the needs of newcomers.”

Since coming to Canada, Gabriel has also earned, among other things, a B.A in Political Science with a focus on International Relations from Simon Fraser University.

“My work and what this award represents is all about a call to service, sacrifice, dedication, commitment, compassion and all those things,” he adds. “We all need to live up to those values, and do our best to change communities and build up the next generation.

Gabriel, who was nominated by friend Monybany Dau, was honoured with his fellow recipients at RDP’s Margaret Parsons Theatre on Saturday afternoon.

The full list of recipients selected by CAIWA’s committee is as follows:

William Gabriel – Catholic Social Services settlement counsellor

Helen Andrew – long-time volunteer with CAIWA, Red Deer Regional Hospital, Blackfalds Agricultural Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation

Dr. Robert Opoku – former RDP instructor, current CAIWA board member

Sherri Smith – long-time volunteer with United Way Central Alberta, president of Soroptimist International of Central Alberta, recipient of Mayor’s Recognition Award

Laurie McDonald – staff member at Central Alberta Women’s Association, former volunteer with Alberta Culture Days, founding member of Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance, CAIWA board member

Dr. Choon-Lee Chai – sociology professor at RDP, member of Red Deer and District Chinese Community Society, former member of Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership, research project contributor for CAIWA

Dr. Jones Adjei – sociology professor at RDP, CAIWA board member

Doug Anderson – president and CEO of Peavey Industries, board member for STARS Air Ambulance, Red Deer and District Community Foundation, owner of Scott Block Theatre

Frank Bauer – executive director at Care for Newcomers

Jan Underwood – settlement worker at Care for Newcomers, member of Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Network, member of Red Feather Women’s support group, board member for Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, Education for Somalia Society, Afro Caribbean Centre for Central Alberta, Women of Excellence award recipient, honorary degree recipient from RDP

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Ten more central Albertans honoured with QEII Platinum Jubilee Medals

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