Queen’s Medal Recipient, Manpreet Kaur Sidhu, receives Queen’s Medal from Mayor Shari Green and Councillors Frank Everitt, Lyn Hall, and Brian Skakun

Prince George, BC –  Prince George Mayor Shari Green commended 20-year-old Manpreet Kaur Sidhu for her considerable contributions to the local Indo-Canadian community and to Prince George and offered "heartfelt congratulations on behalf of City Council" in presenting the young woman with Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

As part of celebrations marking the Queen’s 60-years on the throne, each Canadian municipality has been given the opportunity to select one medal recipient who best exemplifies a community-builder.  

In a special ceremony held during worship at the Guru Nanak Darbar Temple yesterday, Green highlighted Sidhu’s extensive volunteer efforts and accomplishments in the Indo-Canadian community.  "She teaches the internet to elders because she knows this is one the best ways to prevent isolation from the community if you have a language barrier," said the mayor.  "Manpreet started a program to connect elders with Sikh youth to minimize the generation gap and she formed the PG Sikh Youth Society because she knows this one of the best ways to connect youth to their heritage and from gravitating towards gang life."

Speaking afterwards, Sidhu said she was deeply honoured to receive the award and it meant a lot to be recognized in front of the elders.  "This is where I’ve done a lot of my volunteer work – in the temple – and having everyone be there and be there supporting me is a very important thing for me."

In 2009, the then-College Heights Secondary student was selected as the City’s Youth of the Year.  Now, Sidhu is in her 4th year at UNBC, studying biochemistry and molecular biology and looking to follow in her older sister’s footsteps by going on to medical school.  She said her parents  encouraged her to get involved in the community and credits her sister for leading by example.

"Through all of my volunteer activities, I’ve just wanted to give back to the community and show my appreciation for all the love and support I’ve received," she said.  "I just wanted to make people feel welcome and connected to their community and I think volunteerism is one of the best ways to make sure that people are feeling connected."

Mayor Shari Green says Sidhu is a shining example that youth can be nation-builders, as well.  "She’s very early on in her volunteerism for her community and for her country and we will see such wonderful things from her over the years to come that just make this such a better place to be."