Beatrice Deer says receiving King Charles III medal an ‘honour’
Singer-songwriter among 59 honourees named this week
Singer-songwriter Beatrice Deer is set to receive a King Charles III Coronation Medal Friday for her work advocating for Inuit mental health and wellness. (Photo by Christyna Pelletier)
This story was updated on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 12:55 p.m. ET.
Beatrice Deer says she is “humbled” to be among 59 honourees who will receive a King Charles III Coronation Medal this week.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced the recipients, 10 of whom hail from Nunavut or Nunavik, in a news release Wednesday.
“I didn’t expect it, but it is an honour,” said the singer-songwriter and mental-health advocate.
Deer is originally from Quaqtaq but is now based in Montreal. She sings in Inuktitut, French and English, blending throat singing, folk, pop and rock in her songs.
When she isn’t writing or performing music, she facilitates healing workshops which she co-designs to be Inuit-specific.
“I openly talk about my sobriety and wellness as a whole,” Deer said.
She is being honoured specifically for her work on mental health and wellness. It takes her back and forth between Montreal, which has a large Inuit community, and Nunavik.
Deer said she doesn’t seek recognition, “but sometimes doing this kind of work isn’t easy,” she said.
“It’s a battle sometimes you feel like you are never going to win because of the social issues we face as Inuit, but there are some victories. We just have to keep working at it.”
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the coronation of King Charles on May 6, 2023. In total, the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General is responsible for administering the program that awards the medal to “30,000 deserving individuals,” according to a statement on the Governor General’s official website.
The honourees are scheduled to receive their awards Friday at an 11 a.m. ceremony in the Governor General’s official Quebec City residence, the Citadelle of Quebec.
Nunavik’s recipients are:
- Nancy Etok, Kangirsualujjuaq;
- Alec Gordon, Kuujjuaq;
- Evie Mark, Ivujivik;
- Zebedee Nungak, O.Q., Kangirsuk;
- Beatrice Deer, Quaqtaq;
- elder Martha Greig, Kuujjuaq.
The honourees from Nunavut are:
- Joanna Awa, Iqaluit;
- ranger Stevie Aulaqiaq, Qikiqtarjuaq;
- elder Sally Kate Qimmiunaaq Webster, Baker Lake;
- Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Iqaluit.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct how the King Charles III Coronation medals are awarded.
So 17% of this year’s recipients are from the part of canada that holds 0.13% of Canada’s population? Must just be bleeding talent in the north. Doubt it has anything to do with Mrs. Simon being from here…
Or it could be that that these Indigenous individuals are finally being recognized for their invaluable contributions.
No, that’s unlikely given demographics and the percentage this year.
Racism and discrimination in subtlety lying within 867s comment. Why can you accept that there is talent within all communities including our multiple Indigenous communities
867 my goodness. Do some basic research before you start criticizing. Each province and territory are given a certain amount of medals to distribute. The govts are asked to provide a list of people to recognize and the GG is asked to oversee the ceremonies on behalf of the Crown. Don’t criticize what you don’t know.
I want , my medal too , so , i m going to order one from AMAZON .
Pff
Just enjoy whatever performance you like. It’s all superficial when it comes to receiving these recognitions. I’m think about performance of awesomeness that didn’t receive one. It’s all about your own group with your own area submitted your name in the list, and King Charles does even know about it. Congratulations to those picked amongst their peers, friends, relatives and favourite people. Long live old big ear Charlie.