Seven Generations grads hailed

The Seven Generations Education Institute held its 14th-annual graduation ceremony last Thursday afternoon with the largest graduating class since the school’s inception.
Those receiving their secondary school diploma and Bachelor of Education, as well as those who received accredited post-secondary education in social work and indigenous wellness, stood together to celebrate the fact they had made it.
Many guest speakers gave testament to the institute’s strong and accomplished graduates. Among these was Diane Kelly, recently elected grand chief of Treaty #3.
Referring to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology, an event she had witnessed first-hand the day before in Ottawa, Grand Chief Kelly said, “This is quite a distance we’ve travelled from the days of residential schools to seeing all of the graduates sitting before me here.”
“Regardless of your chosen field, your culture needs you,” she stressed.
Other words came from the valedictorians. Connie Yerxa, for instance, encouraged her fellow graduates to “remember to approach your life with the same dedication and perseverance.”
“Explore, dream, and discover true adventure,” enthused Kyle Copenace.
“We’re a class filled with enormous potential,” he added. “If we have the courage to push [our obstacles] aside, nothing can stop us.”
A memorable moment came when Tara Yerxa, upon accepting her secondary school diploma as well as the award for the highest grade point average in her graduating class, was presented with a signed Jonathan Cheechoo hockey jersey for her efforts.
Yerxa had tried her hardest to win the jersey while attending Fort Frances High School, but was unsuccessful. Brent Tookenay then had quipped that if she would graduate, he promised to get her the jersey.
Upon her completion of the program in the Seven Generations Educational Institute, and succeeding with such high honours, Tookenay, true to his word, presented the coveted item to her in front of her peers and the audience.
After numerous students received awards for outstanding achievement, the graduates filed on stage to receive their diplomas with Copenace’s valedictory words still ringing in their ears:
“The world awaits us and it’s time to make it ours!”