NVIT grads told to remember history

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Connect with your history, and you will see your future.

That was a message handed down by speaker after speaker during the 2000 Graduation Ceremonies at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt held on April 29.

Elders, instructors and fellow students reminded the graduates to remember their Elders, their roots and their history as they take their newly-acquired skills back to their communities.

"Our Elders keep us grounded. They represent everything we are, the history of where we came from and what we want to be," said NVIT Board Chair Garry Merkel. "We have to thank them for supporting our students, and our students need to remember them."

Guest speaker Mary Thomas, an Elder of the Shuswap nation and noted ethnobotanist, also emphasized that connection.

"Today, I'm so thrilled to be here to congratulate you young people who will be our role models. You are the people we've fought for over the years," she told the grads. "You should never forget who we are, and where we came from. No matter how far you go in your education, always remember your Elders, and that they are where you came from.

"There are a lot of good things that can be learned from books, but the most important things can be learned from your Elders. They hold a lot of knowledge. To put things in the right perspective, you have to understand history as well as the here and now."

The 1999-2000 valedictorian, Krisalena Antoine, applauded the teachers of NVIT for their hard work in sharing their knowledge with the graduates.

"You have challenged us as we have challenged you," she said. "We realize the importance of your role as part of the educational structure of NVIT, and that your work will make sure the knowledge of our ancestors is not lost."

She went on to offer some very important advice to her fellow graduates.

"Always be true to yourself," she said. "Hold on to your spirit, because within your spirit, you enable your people to remember themselves, to stand up with pride and the realization that our culture can stand up and move forward in this world."

Yale-Lillooet MLA Harry Lali brought the grads congratulations from the provincial government, and praised NVIT for becoming what it is today, and for producing graduates that will lead First Nations communities.

"NVIT is a great inspiration for all people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. It should be a symbol of pride for every Aboriginal person in the Nicola Valley and throughout British

Columbia," Lali related. "I'd like to congratulate each and every graduate on a job well done. Only you know the kind of sacrifices you have had to make over the last few years to succeed. The day is yours. The honor is yours."

NVIT President Dick Bate advised the graduates that they can now shape their own destiny by using their education to better their communities.

"Each of us has a gift to give," Bate said. "My advice is to find your gift and give it freely, and success will be yours."

Awards presented during the 2000 NVIT Graduation Ceremonies: Medals: Lieutenant Governor's Award (silver): Colin Pennier; Governor-General Award (bronze): Chelsea Mathieu. Community Awards: ASTT of BC Award: Alina Skiba, Mitch Gallup. BC Hydro Award: Colin Pennier. BC Ass'n of Social Work: Tilly Hlatky. Canadian Institute of Forestry: Sid Jules. Coldwater Indian Band: Lisa Florence. Dwayne Yamelst Award: Moses Woods. Ken Matsune Award:Eugene Witzky. Margret Tom Memorial: Francine Billy. Nicola Tribal Association: Laura McIntyre. SISCO Award: Robyn Anderson, Leah Jackson. Trans Mountain Pipeline: Chelsea Mathieu. UBC Faculty of Forestry: Aaron Gillespie. Citizenship Awards: Academic Studies 1st Year: Judy Green; 2nd Year: Krisalena Antoine. Administrative Studies 1st Year: Ariana Vallee; 2nd Year: Shannon Porter. NRT Program 1st Year: Shawn Quick; 2nd Year: Sid Jules, Neil Thomas; 2nd Year FWGR: Tracy Sampson. Social Work Program 3rd Year: Lisa Florence; 4th Ye Joe Marcotte. Academic Achievement: Academic/Indigenous Studies 1st Year: Laura McIntyre; 2nd Year: Michelle Bate.Administrative Studies 1st Year: Ariana Vallee; 2nd Year: Ida James. NRT 1st Year: Leah Jackson; 2nd Year: Sandor Smith; 2nd Year FWGR: Chelsea Mathieu. Social Work 3rd Year: Tilly Hlatky; 4th Year: Donna Woodward.