A new alternative education program at the United Native Friendship Centre here held its first graduation and success ceremony last Wednesday (June 14).
Two students—June McNally and Evelyn Shebagegit—received their high school diplomas while several others were honoured with dreamcatchers for having completed enough lessons to earn high school credit.
Jack McMaster, education director for the Rainy River District School Board, said this graduation marked an important step for the future of aboriginal education here.
“This program and others that provide flexibility for learning are extremely important,” McMaster said. “It allows the flexibility for all students in the school board to learn.”
McMaster also read a letter from Premier Dalton McGuinty addressed to the graduates.
“Education is critical to healthy, well-rounded success in life. I am grateful for the UNFC for inspiring young people to succeed,” McGuinty wrote.
Fort Frances High School principal Gord McCabe, who made all the presentations to the students, said this event was very exciting for him because he remembers when the idea for this school first came up.
“A family atmosphere has been created here,” he remarked. “[Earning your high school diploma] is going to give you opportunities that you wouldn’t have otherwise.”
At the end of the ceremony, both graduates received a cedar tree to take home and plant. Wendy Orchard, the teacher at the school, said the cedar tree has a lot of symbolism within native culture.
She explained the gift of the cedar tree represents strength and the support that they have through the United Native Friendship Centre.
The program is in its second year and has more than 75 students. There were two graduates last year, but this year marked the first graduation ceremony.
Students can enroll full-time, part-time, or through independent studies to earn credit towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. All students are welcome—both aboriginal and non-aboriginal.
There are more than 30 different courses students can take for credit in almost any subject area from Grade 9-12.
Orchard said the program has been very successful, and that students are completing more and more lessons.
“What I’ve marked this year has more than quadrupled,” she noted. “Any of the 75 students that handed in a lesson or earned credit are one step closer to graduation than before.”
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
