Correction - 2019 Rotary Badge Shield Star Award Recipients Announced

The Rotary Badge Shield Star Dinner is being held this evening, April 17th (not Thursday as indicated in the previous release).


April 17, 2019 11:30 AM

Saskatoon, SK – The Rotary Clubs of Saskatoon in partnership with the Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Fire Department, and Medavie Health Services West, are pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Badge, Shield and Star winners who will be honoured this evening.

Walter and Maria Linklater’s work with the Saskatoon Police Service began in 1995 when the Indigenous Relations Consultant position was created. The couple provided guidance in the direction of the position. They were the first Elders to join the Chief’s Advisory Committee. They served as Elders overseeing the Peacekeepers Program and assisted the SPS in the design of the Indigenous-specific training courses at the Canadian Police College. They provided consultation in designing the Cultural Room in the SPS Headquarters. Walter passed away in the summer of 2018. Today, Maria continues to provide guidance and knowledge to the Saskatoon Police Service.

In her role as Disaster Management Coordinator with the Canadian Red Cross, DeAnna Down has been supporting evacuations and personal disaster aid in Saskatoon for almost two decades. DeAnna continually goes above and beyond. Her strong sense of purpose, endless compassion and intense work ethic has ensured that those facing the disruption of an evacuation or personal disaster are supported through very challenging times. Throughout the field of Emergency Social Services DeAnna has built strong relationships with partners and organizations - everyone knows her and looks forward to working with her. DeAnna Down is a valued and valuable partner of the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization.

Medavie Health Services West is proud to announce 7-year-old Maddox Babchishin as this year’s recipient of the Star Award. Maddox showed true bravery and heroism when he recognized his 1-year old brother Jack had stopped breathing while the two of them were in the back of their mother’s car traveling. Maddox, who was 6 years old at the time immediately yelled at his Mom to pull over and with the help of bystanders they were able to help Jack begin to breathe again on his own. The Paramedics on the call nominated Maddox to receive this award.


The Rotary Badge Shield Star Dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17th at Prairieland Park, Hall B. This year’s keynote speaker is Kevin Garinger, former President and Governor of the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos. His address will focus on Leadership through Crisis.

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For more information, or to request interviews with the Award winners or keynote speaker, please contact:

Kelsie Fraser
Chair, Rotary Badge Shield Star Dinner Committee
T: 306-491-9040
E: kelsie.fraser@police.saskatoon.sk.ca