Amber Stewart was nominated for the Distinguished Service Award by three local social workers, pictured with her as the award was presented. Shown, left to right, are Teresa Michayluk, Jose Pruden, Amber Stewart and Jim Walls. (Submitted photo/Chad Stewart)

By Angela Brown

Community advocate

Amber Stewart honoured with provincial Distinguished Service Award

May 30, 2022 | 3:18 PM

Amber Stewart first became a social worker to advocate for the vulnerable and give them a voice.

She continues to do that and more.

The Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC) executive director was recently recognized for her professional and community contributions with the Distinguished Service Award from the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (SASW).

Stewart was nominated for the award by three local social workers; Teresa Michayluk, Jose Pruden and Jim Walls.

“It was quite an honour to receive this award and the recognition from the SASW,” she said.

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Walls said Stewart was deserving of the honour.

“Known as a person who believes in the strength of the community, she is sought after by organizations and boards where she applies her determination and willingness to listen and understand in order to build and maintain services for all the people of the Battlefords,” he said.

Stewart has been a social worker since 2015 and executive director with BASAC for the past five years.

She was recently involved in organizing the local “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event, the international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser benefit BASAC programming and operations.

The event raised about $18,000 in the final tally, a substantial increase from last year’s total of around $12,000. Stewart took the opportunity to thank Kyle Kellgren of the Battlefords North Stars Board and general manager of Jackfish Lodge, for helping boost this year’s walk sum by around $500 in a challenge after the event.

When speaking about community involvement, Stewart said she always tries to step up, and enjoys supporting community events that are important and increase awareness.

Through her work, Stewart added, she is able to have a unique perspective about many issues, and a better understanding of victims’ concerns that have also influenced her.

“I feel it’s important as a community member to be involved and to be supportive,” she said. “If you don’t volunteer to help out, you can’t really complain about much. That has helped in my decision-making.”

Stewart has also been active politically, and was the NDP candidate in the 2020 provincial election for the Battlefords riding.

“I think being a social worker definitely played into my decision to run,” Stewart said. “The way that I look at issues in my community, definitely as a social worker and through my work experience and living here, it framed things differently for me.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW