Davie James has been honoured individually as a member of the Skateboard Association for Community Spirit Awards. Curtis Cruickshank/CHAT News

By Jett Schwaier

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VIDEO: Medicine Hat’s James recognized with Community Spirit Award

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Davie James, the vice president of the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association has been recognized for his contributions to the Medicine Hat community.

The Community Spirit Awards are presented every two years to individuals and groups whom the community believes enhance the quality of life in Medicine Hat through their dedication, activities and accomplishments in several areas.

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The awards presented are the Awards of Excellence which include the Heart of Medicine Hat award and the Change Maker award. And the Awards of Service which include Arts/Culture, Civic Pride, Community Inclusion, Compassion, Environment, Volunteerism and Sports/Recreation.

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The individuals nominated for these awards are selected by a committee made up of representatives from the Community Vibrancy Board.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.

The city has more information available on the Community Spirit Awards on its website.

James has been nominated for the Community Inclusion Award, also with the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association, a group that has been nominated for the Change Maker Award.

James said he is very honoured when the community pats you on the back and to be recognized for the Community Inclusion Award.

“I’m just a cog in a very well oiled machine that is our community, and I just owe Medicine Hat everything, as far as getting this award,” James said.

When James was in his youth, he would spend his summers in Medicine Hat attending kids camps, changing the trajectory of his life.

“Being able to have a community as strong as this to lean on. I just didn’t see that in any other city that I lived in, and so I wanted to give back once I got a little bit older, and a little bit more mature,” James said.

“It means a lot to me to just kind of be one little piece of the puzzle of this community, and just to give back and doing my part.”

James has helped particularly with Indigenous communities and youth communities, he said giving back to the community helps himself as much it helps them.

The Medicine Hat Skateboard Association is something James is very appreciative to be a part of.

Also awarded in the Awards of Excellence category for Heart of Medicine Hat was LaVerne Noble.

Awards of Service winners also included Bev Duke for Arts and Culture, Dan Hager and Julie Lacasse with Cycling Without Ages for Community Inclusion, Shae Fedorak and Paul Carolan for Compassion, Marilyn Kusler for Environment, and Glen Mori for Sports and Recreation.