It was a busy night for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on Friday as they presented the Council’s Excellence Awards to six residents of our region.

The annual awards aim to recognize outstanding community members and residents by honoring them for their contributions to the Wood Buffalo region in 2023.

The Citizen of the Year award was given to Mohammed Ali Al-Zabidi for his service in the community through support of the Markaz-Ul-Islam Congregation, Abrams Land Development, Wood Buffalo Food Bank, Centre of Hope, and the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.

Jeffrey Batchelor received the Everyday Hero Award. Batchelor was praised for his community spirit as well as fundraising prowess. He has raised over $70 thousand for clubs, teams, and fundraisers. Many Wood Buffalo organizations have benefited from his community spirit, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo.

Three young citizens were honored in the Youth category of the Council’s Excellence Awards.

Tayden Shott, an accomplished archer whose marksmanship has won him medals across Canada, received one of the awards. He is a leader within the Fort McKay First Nation, a registered junior trapper, and a mentor to many youths in his community.

Parker Flett and Cruz Flett share a Youth award for their work with the Wahkohtowin Sports Circle, which helps bring sports to Indigenous Communities. Together, they work to support physical activity in Indigenous communities by fundraising for new sporting equipment for youth in Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Janvier, Conklin, and Anzac.