Photo description:

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian War Veterans Assocation of Canada present the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal posthumously to the family of fallen hero Austin Lathlin-Bercier during a ceremony in the rotunda at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Man., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Pictured: Austin's mother Lucy Lathlin (second from far right) holds the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal while she stands next to Austin's father Adam Bercier (right) after Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal Committee Chairperson Taras Jackiw (second from far left) presented the medal to them. Also pictured is Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Manitoba Provincial Council President Joanne Lewandosky (left). On Nov. 11, 2023, 25-year-old Austin Lathlin-Bercier, who was from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, was the first Manitoban known to be killed in combat in Ukraine while he was volunteering for Ukraine's International Legion.