Five Red River Métis Citizens awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal for outstanding service to the Southwest Region community

September 28, 2025

Brandon, MB - Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) Southwest Region is proud to present the King Charles III Coronation Medal to five Red River Métis recipients in recognition of their tireless dedication to uplifting and strengthening our community.

The Coronation Medal, created to mark the accession of His Majesty King Charles III to the throne, is presented to individuals who have devoted themselves to the well-being of their people and country. This honour reflects our ancestral Red River Métis values of generosity, resilience, and kinship, which each of the following deserving recipients have embodied throughout their lives.

"These five Citizens embody the values of leadership, service, and community spirit that define the Red River Métis," said Minister Will Goodon of the Southwest Region. "Their dedication has strengthened our families and our cultural pride as Métis people. We are so honoured to celebrate them with this prestigious recognition."

The medals were presented to each recipient by President David Chartrand and Minister Will Goodon at the annual Southwest Regional Meeting in Brandon, bringing together Red River Métis Citizens to honour the recipients' achievements.

This recognition is part of the MMF's ongoing commitment to uplift and celebrate the achievements and lifelong commitments of our Red River Métis Citizens across the Homeland.

Elder Celia Klassen, Brandon

Elder Celia Klassen has devoted her life to her fellow Red River Métis people. She broke barriers as one of the first women elected to the Manitoba Métis Federation. Celia has been a dedicated leader of the Turtle Mountain Local for many years, where she guided community initiatives, strengthened local governance, and rekindled Red River Métis pride for generations in her community. Throughout her career, she helped shape the MMF Constitution and was named as an appellant of the original MMF v. Canada land claims case. Elder Klassen's decades of leadership, advocacy, and devotion to inspiring cultural pride have left an enduring legacy, earning her the distinction of receiving the King's Coronation Medal.

Elder Brian Ricker, Brandon

Elder Brian Ricker was raised in Neelin, MB, before moving to Brandon with his wife, Muriel. He worked as a barber for over 50 years, and regularly volunteered his time at the South End Community Centre, where he served as President and led youth sporting activities. In retirement, he and his wife have reclaimed their Métis heritage and have taken on leadership roles in the Southwest Region Métis Seniors' group. A devoted family man, Brian is incredibly proud of his 4 children and 10 grandchildren. The Southwest Region is honoured to recognize Elder Brian Ricker with this award.

Elder Marg Bagley, St. Lazare

Elder Marg Bagley attended her first Fort Ellice Local meeting over 60 years ago, where her father and elders helped to rekindle her Red River Métis pride, and has been an active member since. In her early days as a Fort Ellice Local Executive, she successfully lobbied the Provincial government to open a 15-unit affordable housing complex to support underhoused families in St. Lazare. She has dedicated her life to supporting Red River Métis youth and families, working as a teacher's aide at the St. Lazare school for 37 years, where she made it her mission to help young people feel proud of their Métis heritage. Honoured as a Red River Métis Elder and recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, her legacy shines through the generations of Métis youth she empowered with confidence, pride, and belonging.

Debbie Forgie, St. Eustache

Debbie Forgie has been an active member of the St. Eustache community for many years and serves as the Chair of the St. Eustache Métis Local. She is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother, with a lifelong passion for inspiring Métis pride in her community. She is a member of the Infinity Women Secretariat and serves on several boards, including the Cartier Senior Citizens Support Committee and Community Futures White Horse Plains, in addition to decades of volunteer work supporting Red River Métis women and seniors. Debbie has touched countless lives through her kindness, leadership, and tireless volunteer spirit, and is fittingly recognized with the King's Coronation Medal.

Wes Hannah, Portage la Prairie

Wes Hannah began his journey with the Manitoba Métis Federation at the age of 18, and has served on the Portage Local Executive team as Chair for multiple terms over the past 20 years. Wes has served nearly two decades on the Métis Employment and Training Board of Directors, adding to his lifelong commitment to strengthening the well-being and cultural identity of Red River Métis Youth through education, recreation, and traditional activities, including beading and harvesting.

His tireless efforts reflect his profound dedication to uplifting the next generation, making him a truly merited recipient of the King's Coronation Medal.

Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis. The Red River Métis are a distinct

Indigenous Nation and People and Canada's Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.

 

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