Northern graduates celebrate traditionally

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"When I went to school I didn't like school. I just wanted to get in and get out. But now the world has changed a bit. You just can't quit in Grade 10 and expect to get a great job. Even Grade 12 may not be good enough . . . you have to get a post-secondary education of some sort. It is important to stay in school."

-1997 NHL Coach of the Year, Ted Nolan

Those words from keynote speaker Ted Nolan were directed to 43 graduating Aboriginal students at the fourth annual Traditional Celebration of Achievement held in Fort McMurray on May 4.

The students are from the following five First Nations: Fort McKay, Athabasca Chipewyan, Mikisew Cree, Fort McMurray #468, and Chipewyan Prairie.

Three hundred people attended the event, held at C.A. Knight Recreation Centre on MacDonald Island.

Graduates were presented with an eagle feather and a commemorative plaque.

Following the presentation, four members of the Red River Singers and Dancers played an honor song.

But it was the words of Nolan that brought the message of education home.

"You don't have to have the fanciest computer at home to be smart, or the best and most expensive hockey skates to be a good hockey player. You just have to believe in yourself and work hard," said Nolan, 42, an Ojibway from the Garden River Reserve east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

"Work hard and good things will happen."

Nolan, who played 10 years of professional and semi-professional hockey with brief stints with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, also told the graduating students not to believe in what other people say.

"People will put restrictions on you. They will say you are not big enough, not smart enough. If you want it bad enough you will make it."

Nolan, who has children of his own approaching graduation age, admits that he was no angel in school.

"I was just like anyone else. I had my problems growing up. When you are young there will be parties where there will be booze and drugs but somewhere along the line, some point in your life, you will have to make the decision to say no."

Irene Loutitt, a Native education liaison worker for the Fort McMurray Catholic school district and a key individual in the founding of this event, said Nolan was an excellent speaker and well received.

"It's so important that the Aboriginal students see role models like him," said Loutitt, who added that there are many role models locally but it's nice to bring in a nationally recognized individual.

"This event really promotes the idea of completing their Grade 12 not only for the graduates but younger kids," said Loutitt, a Metis who speaks fluent Cree. "I have kids in grades 9, 10 and 11 saying they can hardly wait to attend.

"My brother went to it the first year but it's a lot bigger now," said graduate Kyle Spohn, 18. "It means a lot to us to see that our success is recognized. It does not take away from our regular grad . . . the only difference here is that the faces are more familiar and there is more extended family."

Spohn, a Chipewyan, plans to attend Camrose's Augustana University College to major in psychology.

Seventeen-year-old Kathy Nokohoo, also of Chipewyan heritage, similarly plans to continue her post-secondary education.

"I plan to attend Mount Royal College for my first year for the university transfer program for my degree in computer engineering. Then I'll transfer to University of Calgary.

"This grad means a lot. They took the time to recognize us and that gives us more confidence."

A graduate from last year, Jimmy Noskye, also a member of the Red River Singers and Dancers, spoke to the graduates on the importance of education and of not loosing sight of culture and tradition.

Tribute from the parents came from Pat Flett.

The 43 graduates are Joanne Anikina, Paula Bailey, Jennifer Bannerholt, Nicole Barry, Miranda Beaton, Travis Beaver, Justin Cardinal, Nicole Cardinal, Christopher Cockerill, Charles Cote, Gabriel Delisle, Nathon Dionne, Bryce Faichne, Rebecca Flett, Paul Fitzpatrick, Justin Foster, Jamie Forbister, Amy Fraser, J.J. Grandjambe, Myrnie House, Lynette Huppie, Glen Janvier, Mitch Janvier, Dwayne Lauson, Lori-Anne Laviolette, Ryan MacNeil, Tasha McEachern, Tasha Miller, Ashley Morice, Kathy Nokohoo, Sharon Poland, Sophie Powder, Tyler Schleen, Samantha Schultz, Kyle Spohn, Melissa Taylor, Robert Tourangeau, Tannis Tralnberg, Darryl Tremblay, Brandin Walker, Kelly Warawa, Jennifer Wilson and Jesse Woodward.

The three-hour evening celebration ended with a round dance.