LAC LA BICHE – For Lisa Roper, receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal has been a very special and deeply humbling experience.
Roper, an angling and hunting enthusiast and conservation advocate who hosts the TV program ‘Lisa Roper Outdoors’, accepted the honour during her fourth annual ‘Ladies on Ice Fishing Adventure’ event, which was held on Lac La Biche Lake adjacent to Sir Winston Churchill Provincial on March 8.
According to information from the Government of Canada, the Coronation Medal, which commemorates the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada, is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
There are national criteria for Canadians to receive the honour. This includes having made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community.
Roper received the medal during the opening remarks that officially kicked off the ice fishing event, where over 100 women from across Canada, as well as some from the United States, came to Lac La Biche to participate.
“To be presented with the medal in that moment, surrounded by such a strong and supportive community of women, was truly unforgettable,” Roper told Lakeland This Week. “This was the first time I’ve received a national medal of this kind, and it’s something I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
On hand to present Roper with the award was Laila Goodridge, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake, as well as Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Red Deer-Lacombe, who serves as the federal official opposition shadow minister of Hunting, Angling, and Conservation, and chairs the Conservative Hunting and Angling caucus.
Having Goodridge at the event to give her the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Roper explained, made the moment even more meaningful.
Goodridge understands firsthand the challenges of creating change within traditionally male-dominated spaces, and her presence brought a powerful sense of solidarity.
“She was incredibly kind and spoke from the heart - she recognized not only my personal efforts but also the impact of the movement to bring more women and youth into outdoor spaces,” Roper said. “Both of their words were encouraging and empowering, reminding me exactly why I began this beautiful journey in the outdoors.”
Roper acknowledged it is hard to put into words how much the recognition means to her.
Roper has dedicated years to creating safe and welcoming spaces where women and youth can feel empowered in the outdoors. While being honoured with a national medal for that work is deeply humbling, Roper pointed out that the moment wasn’t just about her, but the entire outdoor community.
“It reflects the strength of the community we’ve built together and confirms that our efforts are making a real difference,” she said. “This medal fuels my passion even more. It’s proof that with passion and purpose, we can break barriers and blaze new trails—in the woods and on the water.”
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a powerful way to acknowledge Canadians who are actively making a difference in their communities, said Roper. She believes the acknowledgement shines a light on the every day efforts that often go unnoticed, whether its conservation work, community building, or mentorship.
“Recognition like this motivates people to keep pushing forward, even when the road is tough. It tells them: your work matters, and people are paying attention,” she said.
