Tŝilhqot’in Nation Celebrates Nits’ilʔin Alphonse being Awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal

October 2, 2024

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG) is celebrating Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse as the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his significant contributions to Canada and B.C. Nits’ilʔin Alphonse was nominated by Honourable Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness for his leadership and efforts to protect his community from wildfire and also advance reconciliation within the field of Emergency Management.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created in 2023 with 2024 being the first year that the medal was awarded to outstanding Canadians. There were 30,000 medals awarded in 2024.

“Nits’ilʔin Joe Alphonse has shown amazing leadership through his time as Nits’ilʔin and Chair of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government. He has been able to show leadership over the years by recognizing that the right decision isn’t always the easy one. In the face of the climate crisis, emergencies have become a regular occurrence for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation. All levels of government have a long way to come in managing emergencies in culturally appropriate ways that recognize Indigenous jurisdiction. Nits’ilʔin Alphonse has been there, front and center, as a leader and guide to this learning process.”

—Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Otis Guichon, Vice Chair, Tŝilhqot’in National Government

Media Contact
Myanna Desaulniers

TEL 250 3023721

myanna@tsilhqotin.ca

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