THUNDER BAY – Students from remote First Nations in the region are settling into the school routine at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, and the DFC Experience has become a welcoming tradition.
Principal Sharon Angeconeb said they try to provide a lot more for students than just academics.
“We want to see personal growth, and that means going out, making new friends, getting to know your teachers (and) staff,” said Angeconeb.
Students of DFC come to Thunder Bay from their First Nation, often by themselves, and stay in billet or boarding homes.
The DFC Experience includes a series of workshops led by people who come to share their experiences, skills, and traditional knowledge.
One of those workshop leaders was Chef Hayden Johnston, a Thunder-Bay born former contestant of Top Chef Canada.
“He shows the students how to cook with fresh produce, fresh everything, whereas in the communities where (the students) come from, a lot of times (food is) canned or it’s not the best vegetables or food,” said Angeconeb.
Johnston and some students made gnocchi and blistered tomato during one of the workshops.
Sharing her journey and experiences at another workshop was singer and songwriter Tia Wood, who will be performing at Wake the Giant this weekend.
The annual music festival and cultural event welcomes the students to both the community and the school.
“It’s a celebration, the students – they go through a lot in their personal lives in their home communities, things like that, so we want to celebrate them when they’re here,” said Angeconeb.
“The fact that they made it to Grade 9 or 10, or 11 or 12, the fact that they came out here to Thunder Bay on their own, we need to celebrate that bravery.”
Some other workshops going on throughout the school were hair braiding, beadwork and magnet-making, and down in the gym, students could learn some basketball skills with Lakehead University Thunderwolves.
Beginning his senior year at the high school was Malachi Fiddler from Sandy Lake First Nation, who reflected back on his first year, calling it an “amazing” experience because of all the opportunities he could explore.
Fiddler said coming to Thunder Bay for school was a “whole new world,” and wants new students to know that “most people here are really friendly, most people are approachable at this school, and some people are approachable outside of the school as well in Thunder Bay.”
Fiddler plans to come back for college and university, ultimately aiming for a career in physics.
Now in Grade 11 and starting her second year at Dennis Franklin is Kerri Leonard from Deer Lake First Nation, who is planning to one day earn a degree in social work at Lakehead University.
Leonard wants new students to know not to be afraid to reach out for help.
“(DFC is) a very welcoming, good community, and (has) loving people,” she said.
Angeconeb said they are short on boarding homes this year, and encourages community members to open their doors to host a student.
