Fumier ‘humbled and shocked’ to receive medal

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This article was published 26/02/2025 (205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon’s Kerselin Fumier said he couldn’t believe his eyes when he opened an email that told him he was going to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

“Wow,” said Fumier. “I was humbled and shocked. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.”

Fumier is one of 30 western Manitobans and 30,000 Canadians who were nominated to receive the medal, which recognizes and honours citizens for their outstanding contributions to their communities, reflecting the values of service, compassion and dedication.

It was created in 2023 to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III.

Fumier said he doesn’t know who nominated him. It could be someone from the Mauritius community in Brandon, which has 210 members who — like him — are originally from the island republic located in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean.

Or it could be someone from the Brandon United Football Club, where he volunteers as a coach, or from the West End Community Centre, where he sits on the board, or from the Knights of Columbus.

“I’ve been involved in social activity since I was as young as seven years old,” said Fumier. “I was in Scouts as a boy and then became active in my church back home in Mauritius.

“When I moved to Brandon 17 years ago, I helped create the Mauritius Cultural Association of Brandon and am the vice-chair of the Westman Multicultural Festival Society. Just recently I was the event co-ordinator for all the festival’s pavilions.

“I’m everywhere,” he said as he laughed, and then his voice changed. “But humbly, I always say to people who volunteer, that volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are quite priceless. That’s what came to mind when I read the email.”

The email was sent by Brandon-Souris Conservative MP Larry Maguire, whose office called for and received the nominations for Westman.

Every member of Parliament was given the opportunity to award 20 members of his or her community, but according to a special assistant with the MP, Maguire asked for and was granted an additional 10 people, the assistant told the Sun.

There will be three medal ceremonies held March 10 and 11 to accommodate the 30 people from Westman.

Two ceremonies will be held on the 10th in Brandon. The first is scheduled for noon at the Army & Navy Hall, 31 – 14 St., with the second ceremony of the day taking place at 7 p.m., at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Brandon, 560 13th St. East.

The Virden ceremony honouring that area’s recipients will be held March 11 at 7 p.m., at the Royal Canadian Legion, 540 Eighth Ave. South.

Maguire will attend all three ceremonies, the special assistant told the Sun.

Fumier said he has already confirmed his attendance, along with his wife Connie McClain and their two children, four-year-old Benjamin and nine-year-old Zachary.

“The first one I told the good news to was Connie because she’s the one behind the scenes,” Fumier said. “I have to say thank you to her because she’s the one staying at home with our two sons when I am going from meeting to meeting to meeting. Sometimes I have four meetings in a week.”

As McClain added another non-profit to the list he’s associated with — the Westman Immigrant Services — she said she is proud of her husband receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

“He’s deserving of it, not just because of everything he does for the community, but he absolutely loves it,” McClain said.

“And I think there’s a difference. Some people do it because they have to volunteer, but he strives for it.

“And he’s setting a good example and is a good role model for our little ones,” she said.

In 2017, Fumier was the recipient of the “Canada 150 Volunteer Service Medallion,” which recognized volunteers who showed leadership, service and made a lasting impact on their communities.

But Fumier insisted that the time he puts in as a volunteer “is for the benefit of the community,” and not himself.

“Never, never,” said Fumier, “I never expect anything from anybody. But I’m lucky because this is the second time I’ll have something that shows my devotion for the community.

“I’ll keep my head on my shoulders,” he said as he laughed, “because it does motivate me to do more.”

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