Written by Michael Clifton
2025 been quite the year, already, for Interfaith Grand River, as a number of our members and friends have been identified as recipients of this year’s King Charles III’s Coronation Medal.
This is the second year that the medal has been bestowed by the Canadian government on individuals who make significant contributions to their community, region, territory, province, or the whole of Canada, or an outstanding achievement taking place outside of Canada that brings credit to the country.
In social media posts and articles published by the Waterloo Region Record, three current IGR members have been named as medal recipients:
Father Toby Collins, CR, pastor (since 2018) at St. Mary Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Parish in Kitchener, who is the spiritual leader of not only his congregation but also projects (including the popular Tiny Home Takeout) that assist people in poverty, mental illness, addiction, and other difficult circumstances with access to food and shelter; and
Nabeel Rana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Cambridge, who balances his professional life as an engineer with significant volunteer commitments to his religious community and in its outreach programs throughout the Region, including his leadership in the local chapter of the Ahmadiyya humanitarian relief organization, Humanity First, which has embarked on an affordable housing program in Cambridge for people in need.
Duaa Al-Aghar, the executive director of Muslim Social Services. Her colleagues there say that Duaa’s “leadership, passion, and vision drive our work and inspire us daily,” and in her own LinkedIn post, Duaa’s humility and commitment to service were evident when she wrote, “This award is not just a milestone—it is a motivation to continue our work with even greater passion and determination. I am incredibly grateful to be part of this journey and to serve a community that believes in hope, resilience, and collective growth.”
In addition, IGR has received notice from the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, that two additional IGR members are on the list to receive medals later this year:
Rev. Dr. Brice Balmer, professor emeritus at Martin Luther University College in Waterloo, and one of the principal founders of IGR in 2001, has worked tirelessly for decades not only fostering interfaith dialogue, but in supporting and promoting the causes of social welfare, equity, justice, and peace, combatting poverty, addictions, and a variety of other issues affecting vulnerable members of our society; and
Professor M. Darrol Bryant, a veteran of interfaith dialogue who has taught religion and culture courses to university students for over 30 years and is the author or editor of over 25 books, including Religion in a New Key, Muslim-Christian Dialogue, and, most recently, Crossing Borders: Stories from My Life and Encounters with the World’s Religions. Professor Bryant is currently Director of the Centre for Dialogue and Spirituality in the World Religions at Renison College within the University of Waterloo. In 2023, Pandora Press celebrated Professor Bryant’s achievements by making six of his significant publications available to the public to download for free at https://www.pandorapress.com/m-darrol-bryant-series.html#/.
We are thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved recognition with these well-loved members of IGR.
Of the other medal recipients in Waterloo Region, there are several more who are also friends and associates of IGR or its members, including:
Regional Councillor, and enthusiastic member of IGR’s Interfaith Community Breakfast organizing committee, Chantal Huinink, recognized for her community service and philanthropy including her advocacy for persons with disabilities as a writer, motivational speaker, offering spiritual care and counselling at KidsAbility, and as the founder of Faith and Wheelpower Ministries;
Elder Myeengun Henry – an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and former elected Chief for the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, known for his work as chair of the Indigenous Advisory Councils of both the Ontario Provincial Police and Law Society of Ontario, and at the University of Waterloo where he provides indigenous knowledge, leadership, and inspiration;
Clarence Cachagee, co-author of North Wind Man, and the inspirational leader of Crow Shield Lodge, which offers land-based healing and education grounded in the Seven Grandfather Teachings; and
Rev. Canon Christopher Pratt, recognized for his chaplaincy services with St. John Ambulance and many years of ministry (formerly at Kitchener’s St. John the Evangelist parish) and education, including as author of the blog, “A View from the Back Pew,” which he writes for the Diocese of Huron of the Anglican Church of Canada.
These and the many other people recognized for their community service and leadership as medal recipients serve to demonstrate the substantial and inspiring strength of our community, and why we are so grateful to be a part of it and associated with their outstanding work.