NAIT celebrates

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More than 200 people gathered in the foyer at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) on Feb. 6 for its 5th annual Aboriginal Cultural Day celebrations, which included presentation of the annual Thelma Chalifoux Award.

Aboriginal liaison co-ordinator Eva Stang said five years have really made a difference at the school in regard to community participation in the event. She recalled when NAIT had its first few celebrations, it was a chore to find people who would perform at the event. This year, she said people were calling her and asking if they could take part.

Stang sees a lot of Aboriginal students at the school each year and is heartened by the increase in Aboriginal student enrolment.

The Chalifoux award was presented to EnCana, a Calgary firm recognized for their donation of $500,000 for the construction of the Aboriginal student centre at NAIT.

"I'd like to thank them, not just for the structure of the centre, [but] because it has allowed our Aboriginal student body to have a place to call their own here at the school. A place for them to have a sense of community, because that is important and a lot of the students feel like this centre is their second home and I believe this helps them to complete their programs. The minute you walk in the door there is a welcoming feeling here," said Stang.

In her speech to the students, Chalifoux said that the only thing that could help them overcome racism was education.

"Show everyone you can be successful as Aboriginal people. You are not nothing. You have a lot to give to the world," she said.