(Lander, WY) – The Fremont County Commission recognized local Emergency Medical Technician Kayleen Harding last week for earning the Stars of Life Award from the American Ambulance Association.
The award “celebrates the contributions of ambulance professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities or the EMS profession,” according to the Stars of Life website.
Harding’s bio on the website said she is originally from Rocky Boy, Montana, but “after her family relocated to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, (she) felt a strong calling to give back to her new community.”
“In November 2022, she joined the local EMS team and has since dedicated herself to improving communication between tribal members and EMS professionals,” the bio states. “(She) understands the crucial role that effective communication plays in fostering trust and collaboration across cultures.”
Harding, an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, told the Fremont County Commission last week that she “wanted to build a bridge” between EMS workers and the local Indigenous community in Fremont County.
“I wanted to give both ends an opportunity to learn what our culture is like, and I also wanted to give the opportunity to the Indigenous people (to see) what EMS does and what we could do and how we can help,” she said. “We’re all here together. We’re here to help. It doesn’t matter if we’re Indigenous or not – this is what we’re going to do.”
Harding’s “commitment to bridging these gaps was highlighted when she organized a booth at the Eastern Shoshone Powwow, where she showcased her skills as an athletic trainer,” her Stars of Life bio states.
“By finding common ground between the two cultures, she secured EMS standby services for the event,” the bio says. “Kayleen used the opportunity to educate both tribal members and her colleagues on cultural differences, promoting mutual understanding and respect.”
Harding is also pursuing a degree in kinesiology, the bio states, “further demonstrating her commitment to enhancing her skills and expanding her ability to serve her community.”
She received her award in Washington, D.C., where she had the opportunity to meet with members of Wyoming’s Congressional delegation, among other federal lawmakers, Frontier Ambulance Director of Operations Diane Lane told the Commission last week, calling the trip “a great experience.”
In a posting on social media, Frontier Ambulance said Harding “has brought dedication and a compassionate approach to her work in Riverton.”
“Since joining in 2022, she’s made it her mission to strengthen bonds between EMS professions and the community on the Wind River Reservation,” the post states. “From organizing EMS services at local cultural events to promoting cross-cultural understanding, Kayleen’s work reflects her passion for service and community connection. Thank you, Kayleen, for making a difference every day!”