“The program says ‘graduation’ but it’s really more of a celebration of these students’ success.”
And so with those words of Delbert Horton, CEO of Seven Generations Education Institute, began the school’s 12th-annual graduation at the Red Dog Inn last Thursday afternoon.
Not only were 29 graduates were honoured with degrees at both the secondary and post-secondary level, but the event was an occasion for several guests in the aboriginal education field to share their thoughts.
“As graduates of a First Nations-controlled education institute, you should recognize the importance of this accomplishment,” said Tim Thompson of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, who was filling in for Grand Chief Larry Sault.
“Ten years ago, there was 800 First Nations students–now, there are 27,000,” he added.
“The diplomas you are receiving today get you recognition in the mainstream but it also means much more–you are now forwarding the movement of our people to control our own destiny,” Thompson stressed.
“I want to congratulate these people for now being at a status where they can be leaders in their communities,” echoed Dave Courchene Jr., founder of Oshkopimatizeek, an education institute in Manitoba.
“As Anishinaabe people, we have much to offer and much to give. Now, more than ever, our voices must be heard,” he added, citing examples of recent environmental debacles such as the E. coli contamination in Walkerton.
Donna Bird, Desmond Debungie, Bonnie McGinnis, Renée Pearson, Arlene Sawdo, Colleen Smith, Janice Smith, and Tannis Smith received their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas while two degrees in Associate in Administration went to Candace Morrisseau and Allan Snowball.
Gordon Cameron, Robert Jolicouer, William Morrisseau, Daryl Perrault, Raymond Tucker and Patrick Yerxa were handed their Major Appliance Serving Certificate, with William Perrault receiving his degrees in both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education.
Meanwhile, Corinna Favell, Elaine Mandamin, Shirley Oustan, Janice Redsky, Irene Ross, and Shona Wapioke got their diplomas in Early Childhood Education, and Violet Leonard, Kalvin Ottertail, Margaret Ottertail, Brian Smith, and Sherri Wilson received diplomas for Aboriginal Cultural Interpretation.
Wapioke also was the recipient of the Highest Academic Achievement Award for Post-Secondary Studies.
Archie Potson, Amanda Morrisson, and Trisha Smith were honoured as top secondary students at Fort Frances High School, Rainy River High School, and Seven Generations’ Naicatchewenin school respectively.
Pearson also was given the Co-Op Award while Janice Smith and Desmond Debungie received Seven Generation bursaries.
The ceremony was followed with a dinner.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
