Educator shows perseverance

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Reading was always a priority for Leona Makokis. "I would take books into the outhouse and read for hours and hours," she divulged to a capacity crowd at the Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta ceremony in Edmonton Nov. 9.

"I went to faraway places in those books, and it didn't matter what it smelled like."

Humor, insight and inspiration marked her thank you address made after she received the single Education Role Model award of the evening. Currently president of Blue Quills First Nations College in St. Paul, Makokis outlined the considerable journey from a Saddle Lake childhood to her current position and academic status.

"I started out in 1967 with a secretary certificate from Lakeland College," she said.

In 1979 she enrolled in a bachelor of administration program with Athabasca University.

In 1989 she achieved an "after degree" in education from the University of Alberta, majoring in business education.

In 1994 she got her master of arts from the University of San Diego. In 1999 she achieved a bachelor of education, and in 2001 her doctorate in education from the same institution.

About 1997- - she can't recall exactly when - she was also bestowed with a "Women of Vision" award.

Dr. Makokis began her address with thanks to the Creator and a message in Cree. She then switched to English.

"This is very humbling," she said. "I want to thank the Creator for bringing us all here and for our life and experiences." She spoke at length to an engaged crowd - with only a few notes.

"At a very young age my mom and dad used to collect us to go sugar beet hoeing, picking roots and rocks to put food on the table. We were always together, and it was out there I received a better understanding of how to work together."

She added that her late father Vernon "was a man of few words. But he said to us: if you want this kind of hard life, quit school and come work with me. But if you want a better life, stay in school."

Leona took his advice, and now mentors a new generation of Aboriginal young people through innovative programming at Blue Quills.

She said they empower people by inviting them to express themselves.

She was emphatic that she accepted the award on behalf of many deserving others. "I'm not here for myself or by myself."

She listed the Saddle Lake and Kehewin communities and her family as supporters, and also the Blue Quills First Nations College board and staff. "They didn't hire anybody to replace me (when on education leave) but teamed up and took my workload."

More support came from Tribal Chiefs Ventures, she said.

"This is not 18 people here being honored, but honor for all of us to reflect on the possibilities in our communities.

"You," she said, gesturing to the audience of more than 300 people, "continue to be our role models."

Later she added that everyone that night collectively had much to offer: "a lot of power, skills, education and experience." She passed on a bit of wisdom from one of her own professors: "You have to blow your own horn. Otherwise, someone will use it as a spittoon!"

Makokis said the energy of all these people creating paths for themselves inspires her. "When I think of their efforts it moves me forward, because we have to leave a legacy behind for our children." She recalled that her parents "made some real strong stands" on issues important to Aboriginal people in the 1970s through the Indian Association of Alberta.

People of the current generation, she said, are empowered to make their own marks.

In a telephone interview from her home in St. Paul, she said, "I feel strongly that not one of us (recipients) was there because we achieved something by ourselves." While admittedly "in a quandary" over the singularity of the award, she nonetheless appreciates its meaning. "We do need role models in our communities; we do need to tell people the positive side of our story."

She urged everyone to work hard and cultivate passion for what they care most about. "Be keen an share that if you can do it. And we can do it."