Royal Recognition – Part 2

By The Marine Detective on March 2, 2025

Dear Community, This is a follow-up to my January blog (included below) in which I shared the news about the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which ” . . . recognizes Canadians who exemplify service to others, protection of the environment, youth empowerment, and diversity. Across Canada, 30,000 medals will be handed out to deserving individuals.”

I am very honoured and grateful to all who have been part of the journey. The celebration in which I received the medal happened on February 28, 2025 in Port McNeill. Below I include photos, video, and text from the speeches at the celebration. I have made this blog largely for those who were not there – family and beloved friends – some who go back decades and some who are an ocean away. But maybe, it’s of interest to you too.

As someone who cares enough to read these blogs, you’ve been part of the journey.

As I shared at the celebration: “I don’t think there’s been a time in my life, where this recognition could have meant more to me. You are my people. You feel it. It’s a “complicated world”. There are forces riled against facts, science, equality, other beings on the planet, and a healthy future.

This honour puts wind in my sails. You being here lifts me up. And how I hope it does the same for you to reflect upon the good you put into the world. To stand for truth and critical thinking. To know what matters. To love. And to know why there are those who do not want us to have this knowledge, these values, this drive, and the joy that comes from it all.”

Full video of the ceremony is near the end of this blog.

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Words from Rachel Blaney (Member of Parliament for North Island–Powell River) included:

“Jackie is based out of Port McNeill, living and learning in the Territories of the Kwakwala-speaking Peoples. She has served as an exemplary and inspiring ambassador for the importance the ocean and undertaking action for the good of future generations.

She returned to British Columbia after teaching in the Netherlands, wanting to find a more effective way to enable people to know their connection to the ocean.

Her greatest aim is to educate about the importance of the life hidden in the plankton-rich waters off our coast – that it is in the cold ocean that there is greater biodiversity and productivity than in the warm ocean.

She does this as “The Marine Detective” – educator, cold-water diver, underwater photographer – and as a cofounder of the Marine Education and Research Society, known as MERS.  

She is a Humpback Whale Researcher with MERS and their Education and Communications Director. She and the team embody the dedication of applying what they learn as scientists, to education to speak for the importance of the ocean and how to reduce threats to marine life.

Jackie’s work has been prominently highlighted in various publications and documentaries produced by reputable outlets such as the BBC and PBS.“

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My words from the celebration:

“I’m overwhelmed.
And really grateful.

Grateful for this opportunity live here, have you as neighbours, colleagues, friends, dive buddies, and to have the opportunity and privilege to learn where the Kwakawala-speaking People have lived for millennia.

I am really grateful Rachel [MP Rachel Blaney] that you came here for this. Knowing the value it would have to shine a light on northern Vancouver Island, Port McNeill, and the people who have been part of this journey, especially those in the Marine Education & Research Society.

Thank you James [Mayor James Furney] and others who knew the value too and my dilemma about where, and what this celebration should be. Thank you Rob [Rob Hilts] for being behind the cameras so I can share this with my parents (who definitely had something to do with me being me) and loves ones far away AND that I can stare right into the camera and say, from depths of my heart, thank you Whitney Melan for nominating me.

I don’t think there’s been a time in my life, where this recognition could have meant more to me. You are my people. You feel it. It’s a “complicated world”. There are forces riled against facts, science, equality, other beings on the planet, and a healthy future.

This honour puts wind in my sails. You being here lifts me up. And how I hope it does the same for you to reflect upon the good you put into the world. To stand for truth and critical thinking. To know what matters. To love. And to know why there are those who do not want us to have this knowledge, these values, this drive, and the joy that comes from it all.

I deliberated saying that I could never have imagined that life would take me here. But, while that’s definitely true that I could never have envisioned this particular heavy medal event, the eight-year-old in me is resistant and believes that some of this was pretty damn predictable. Even the part about being a 61-year-old who goes underwater, with a camera, wearing a tutu.

The eight-year-old in me – she’s strong. She knows things. She has always known it was about Nature, never felt separate from it, and doesn’t understand there are people who do very separate. She’s always wanted to learn, especially about animals, and then run to others, especially children, and say (probably very loudly) . . . LOOK! LISTEN! CARE!

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for caring. 
Thank you for being part of my life, my community, and maybe even my purpose. 
Thank you.”

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Please note I will be adding more photos to this blog in the next few days, when I have a bit more breathing space 😉. I just wanted to get this into the world sooner rather than later for friends and family.

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Royal Recognition – Part 1
Posted on January 25th.

Er . . . I won a medal.

I am deeply grateful for this recognition that shines light on, and amplifies, the values that connect many of us here. This at a time when there are many challenges to equality, truth, critical thinking, human dignity, and the health of the planet and future generations.

It also shines light on our Marine Education & Research Society and on the place where I have learned – northern Vancouver Island, Territory of the Kwak̕wala-speaking Peoples.

This medal also requires acknowledgement and reflection on the history of the monarchy, colonization, and the need to work for the values this award represents.

Many of you have been part of what has led to this recognition – opening doors, joining along the way, encouraging, and supporting. Thank you.

I have learned that Whitney Melan is the one who took the time and effort with the nomination, which means the world to me. It also means so much that the medal will be awarded by MP Rachel Blaney.

Onward.

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