Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 3, 1997
• Invested on: December 05, 1997

Candace Mary-Jane Fiddler, M.B.
Heather Mariah McAuley, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On March 17, 1996, Heather McAuley and Candace Fiddler rescued a small boy from below the Thunder Rapids Dam of the Big Stone River, in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. Three women were driving by when they caught sight of a child on the riverbank and a panicked little boy who had fallen off an ice edge and was struggling against the current in the open waters. Ms. Fiddler and Ms. McAuley rushed to the boy's rescue while the third woman drove the car into the village for help. With Ms. Fiddler holding onto her foot, Ms. McAuley slowly crawled across the unstable surface. Just as she grabbed the child's hand, the ice gave way and she too fell into the river still holding onto the boy. Ms. Fiddler kept her grip on her friend and managed to pull her out. Exhausted, Ms. McAuley lifted the child out by his jacket collar and the two friends brought the young victim back to shore where others provided assistance.