Two Surrey residents, Madison Fleischer and Mohammad Aminul Islam, are among 21 people in B.C. given the 2023 Medal of Good Citizenship for “extraordinary contributions to community life” in the province.
The medal recognizes people’s generosity, service and acts of selflessness in their local areas, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport in a news release sent Wednesday, Jan. 3.
“Each one of these medal recipients has made their community a better place,” Premier David Eby stated. “They have shown kindness and generosity while making sacrifices for the benefit of others. Their contributions serve as a reminder to all of what we can do in ways large and small to improve life for everyone.”
Biographies of the medal winners are posted to the government’s news website.
Madison Fleischer is described as “a dedicated philanthropist and community advocate in Vancouver” and “a force for positive change and volunteerism.”
By age four Fleischer’s heart was first set on helping others and she’s since become “a beacon of inspiration through her remarkable philanthropic journey,” a bio says.
“Beginning with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Fleischer’s passion for giving back has only intensified. As a 23-year-old Indigenous law student, she aspires to make a difference in the lives of residential school survivors, work in Indigenous law, and advocate for Indigenous youth facing legal challenges.”
In April 2022 the Now-Leader profiled Fleischer and her mother, Lisa, when they sold hundreds of Slava Sweatshirts and raised thousands of dollars to support Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country.
• READ MORE: Surrey mom-and-daughter duo raise thousands to help Ukraine.
Fellow medal winner Mohammad Aminul Islam is a “champion of mother languages and multiculturalism in Canada,” a bio says.
Leader and president of the Mother Language Lovers of the World Society, B.C. and a member of the Arts Council of Surrey, Aminul Islam “stands as a figure in upholding, celebrating and integrating these languages into mainstream society, contributing significantly to the rich tapestry of the province.”
His initiative, the B.C. Model, is described as “a revolutionary approach aimed at incorporating mother languages into school systems. Recognizing children as carriers of their mother tongue, he successfully implemented this model in the Surrey school district, providing approximately 70,000 students with the opportunity to embrace and share their cultural heritage through 172 different languages. The ripple effect of the B.C. Model has reached school districts beyond Surrey, aligning with UNESCO’s Education 2030 Framework.”
As a tribute to the diversity of mother languages, Aminul Islam initiated Lingua Aqua, Canada’s first mother language monument, unveiled in 2009 in Surrey, and also initiated the Mother Language Festival, held since 2013.
The festival has become “a testament to Aminul Islam’s dedication to preserving and promoting linguistic diversity. Aminul Islam played a pivotal role in the recognition of International Mother Language Day in Canada. His efforts, spanning several years and collaborations with MPs and senators, culminated in the passing of Bill S-214 on March 30, 2023. This landmark bill officially received Royal Assent on April 24, 2023, making Canada the first country globally to recognize Feb. 21 as International Mother Language Day.”
• RELATED, from 2027: Mother Language Festival focuses on Surrey’s cultural diversity.
In a Facebook post Nov. 30, Fleischer said she woke up to “a rather shocking email today” — one announcing news of her B.C. Medal of Good Citizenship.
“I would have never been able to do this without the love and support of my family, friends and colleagues over the years,” Fleischer posted. “While I wish I could name each and every one of you, I’ve been blessed to have support from so many over the years that it would be impossible.”
Medal presentation ceremonies will be hosted throughout B.C. in early 2024.
Nominations for the 2024 Medal of Good Citizenship are due by April 5, 2024. Any current or former long-term resident of B.C. is eligible to be nominated. Youth and posthumous nominations are welcome. Details are found online at gov.bc.ca/medalofgoodcitizenship.