Dexter Nelson receives King Charles III Coronation Medal for years of community service

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Carseland’s Dexter Nelson was recognized, March 28, for his contributions and the lasting impacts he has had for his communities with the award of a Kings Charles III Coronation medal. 

The commemorative medal was created to mark the coronation of The King. There are approximately 30,000 medals which were created to be awarded for the occasion.

Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Chantelle de Jonge nominated Nelson for the award and presented it to him during a ceremony hosted at The Vault Cultural Collective. 

“It is intended to recognize and celebrate individuals who have built the Canada of today, who have distinguished themselves from others in their field, who have been outstanding volunteers, and who have brought credit and pride to Canada,” said MLA de Jonge. “I knew when I read through who a recipient of this award should be, I immediately knew that Dexter was so deserving of this award because of the work he has done in the space – he has brought pride to his community, and he has brought pride to his county.”

Nelson has previously worked as a teacher at the University of Calgary, and at Mount Royal College (prior to its redesignation). 

He also founded the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team and Program, the Alberta Athletic Therapists Association, and the Sport Medicine Council of Alberta.

Additionally, Nelson chaired an international task force on global practice and served on the Alberta Mission Staff for the Alberta Winter Games, Arctic Winter Games, and Canadian Medical Team at the Pan American and Commonwealth Games.

Nelson was the Chief Therapist for the Canadian Medical Team at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, and he has held roles with the Edmonton Eskimo Football Team, as well as the Canadian National Men’s Basketball Team.

“It is rather prestigious actually. How often in your life after you look back at all the things that you have done or tried to do, to have someone actually say ‘I think you did a good job.’ That is what this award means to me,” said Nelson. “I have always been somewhat ambitious because I think my parents, in particular my mother, wanted … my brother and I to do well in life, and you do well by being ambitious, enjoying life and the people around you.”

Going forward, Nelson fondly remarked his ongoing ambitions are to spend time with his grandkids and explore whether there are things he would be able to teach them, just as his grandparents did for him.