This week marked the presentation of King Charles III Coronation Medals to three individuals who have made notable contributions to Sault Ste. Marie.
The Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada on May 6, 2023 and is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada.
The Sault’s Helen Stewart and Alan Fell were presented Coronation Medals on Thursday by Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott in a ceremony at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25.
Asima Vezina, former Algoma University president and vice-chancellor, was awarded a Coronation Medal by Sault Ste. Marie Liberal incumbent Terry Sheehan at a separate ceremony.
Stewart was awarded a medal for playing a key role in making the new Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 office and apartment building at 96 Great Northern Road a reality.
Stewart was head of the building committee for that project and is a Branch 25 past president.
A visibly moved Stewart told SooToday she was “gobsmacked” with surprise when she learned she had received the award.
Fell was awarded a medal for his years of service with the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian War Museum. He is also a member of the 432 (Algoma) Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25.
“I was really excited when I found out (about being awarded with a Coronation Medal). I phoned my son immediately and I said the Governor General has awarded me a King Charles III Coronation Medal. He said that's fantastic,” Fell said to SooToday.
Both Stewart and Fell said they will wear their medals proudly on their Royal Canadian Legion uniforms.
Vezina served as Algoma University president and vice-chancellor from Oct. 2017 to Feb. 2025.
She assumed the role of president of International Business University in Toronto on Feb. 28.
For more than 20 years Vezina has been an advocate for equity in education for underrepresented groups, a supporter of truth telling for residential school survivors and for institutions working with Indigenous peoples as partners.
“Receiving this medal is not a personal accolade, but a recognition of the work being done across the country to build lasting relationships with Indigenous peoples and to make Canada a welcoming and inclusive place for all people,” Vezina said in an International Business University release dated March 24.
To mark the first anniversary of the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, the United Kingdom issued more than 400,000 coronation medals.
Canada has issued 30,000 medals, 4,000 of which will recognize members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Nominees for the medals were selected for their long service and good conduct as a volunteer or member of an organization, for having demonstrated high professionalism or for performing a deed or activity that brings great credit to Canada.