(Minghui.org) Tia Zhang, a dance artist with Shen Yun Performing Arts, a professor at Fei Tian College, the former principal of Fei Tian Academy of the Arts, the former chair of Fei Tian College’s dance department, and a Falun Gong practitioner, was awarded with Canada’s King Charles III Coronation Medal.
The award ceremony was held at the Toronto City Hall on the evening of February 13, 2025. Kevin Vuong MP (Member of Parliament) presented the Medal to Ms. Zhang on behalf of the federal government. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General registered this honor. At the same time, Ms. Zhang also received congratulatory letters from three Members of Parliament and a Toronto City Councillor.
Award ceremony at the Toronto City Hall on the evening of February 13
Kevin Vuong MP presents the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Ms. Tia Zhang on behalf of the federal government.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal marks King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. Canada issued 30,000 of these coronation medals and awards them to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or had achievements abroad that brought credit to Canada. Four thousand of the medals are awarded to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Selfless Contributions Earn Her a Second Honor
Ms. Zhang immigrated to Canada from Beijing over 40 years ago. She taught at the National Ballet School of Canada for more than 20 years, and trained many outstanding Canadian dancers.
After she began practicing Falun Dafa in 1997, Ms. Zhang became committed to spreading the concepts of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and traditional Chinese culture to the Canadian people. She dedicated all her time after work to the community, organizing and participating in numerous artistic performances. She founded the Lotus Performing Arts Troupe in Toronto in her early years. Many of the core members of the troupe later joined the world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Due to her selfless dedication and unremitting efforts, Ms. Zhang’s contributions have been highly recognized and welcomed by society. In 2002, the City of Toronto awarded her the Canada Day Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of her contributions to the local community.
“I Am Very Grateful”
Ms. Zhang said at the ceremony, “I would like to thank the Canadian government for its continued support for and encouragement to the Falun Gong group. From the beginning of the persecution of Falun Gong in China until now, the Canadian government has been very supportive of Falun Gong’s efforts protesting the persecution, so I am very grateful to them.”
“I am honored to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal tonight. This medal recognizes my personal effort. It also recognizes the incredible value of Shen Yun. It is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and the spirit of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. I would like to thank everyone here today and thank you all for sharing this honor with me,” she said.
“Joining Shen Yun Is a Great Honor for Me”
As a Canadian artist, Ms. Zhang followed Mr. Hongzhi Li, the artistic director of Shen Yun and founder of Falun Gong, and studied classical Chinese dance and Chinese culture and arts in more depth, and made outstanding contributions to the dissemination and promotion of China’s profound traditional culture.
“Joining Shen Yun is a great honor for me,” she said. Ms. Zhang said that spreading the excellent traditional Chinese culture and wisdom to the world is a great honor for an artist.
She also said that the award was not only a recognition of her personal work, but also a recognition of Shen Yun. She is just one of the artists. Many Shen Yun artists who work with her practice Falun Gong. Through their own improvement, and spiritual and artistic refinement, they strive to spread authentic culture and arts, along with positive values. Ms. Zhang said, “This award is also a recognition of all artists that practice Falun Gong.”
As a former company manager of Shen Yun’s eight touring companies who participated in world tours for many years, Ms. Zhang has personally experienced and witnessed Shen Yun’s amazing history of growth. Today’s Shen Yun Performing Arts has become the world’s top artistic feast. It has not only provided important enlightenment and educational significance to the human spirit, morality, and culture, but also made significant contributions to the restoration of China’s noble traditional moral concepts.
Member of Parliament: “It Makes Me Proud as a Torontonian”
Kevin Vuong MP, who presented the award to Ms. Zhang, saw Shen Yun for the first time at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in April 2024. “I feel fortunate to have been able to see it myself,” he said after the performance.
Ms. Zhang gifts Kevin Vuong MP an English version of the book Zhuan Falun.
Mr. Vuong said while presenting the award that through Ms. Tia Zhang, as the manager of one of Shen Yun’s eight global touring companies, Toronto had given people around the world the opportunity to enjoy Shen Yun’s performances and the magical power that is conveyed through dance. “This is important and needs to be acknowledged. It makes me proud as a Torontonian and proud as a Canadian.” This is also why today, he said he was honored to present the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Ms. Tia Zhang, because everything she has done, as a performing artist and teacher, is exactly what this Medal is emblematic of.
He concluded by saying, “I’m very excited to be here, and thank you to all of you who are here today, despite the biggest snowstorm we’ve had in the last two years.” He mentioned that his Parliamentary colleagues, including Melissa Lantsman MP, deputy leader of the Official Opposition, and Judy Sgro, MP of the Liberal Party, also sent their congratulatory letters. This shows cross-party support and national recognition of Ms. Tia Zhang’s contributions.
Congratulatory Remarks from Other Canadian Officials
Message from Melissa Lantsman MP, deputy leader of the Official Opposition
Melissa Lantsman MP wrote, “It is my pleasure to send best wishes and congratulations upon your receipt of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
“This medal is awarded for outstanding community service and exemplary achievements – and your extensive accomplishments and record of excellence make you a worthy recipient.”
Congratulatory greeting from Judy Sgro, PC (King’s Privy Council for Canada), MP
Judy Sgro, PC, MP, wrote in her congratulatory greeting, “It is with great joy that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on being awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. This is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to promoting the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, as well as your tireless efforts in preserving and revitalizing traditional Chinese culture within our Canadian community.”
Letter from Garnett Genuis MP
Garnett Genuis MP wrote, “Your role in bringing Shen Yun to life has given audiences a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of Chinese culture. Your contributions not only preserve an invaluable heritage but also reflect Canada’s values of freedom and justice.”
Remark from Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak
Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak wrote, “This honour is a testament to your dedication, leadership, and exceptional contributions to your community. Your career in the performing arts over the last 60 years has had a significant impact, and this well-deserved recognition acknowledges your vital contributions.”
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