Old Sun graduation

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Education is our future ? says athlete

Old Sun Community College (OSCC), located on the Siksika Blackfoot Reserve, held its 1st Annual Graduation Honorarium Banquet at the Band's new Deerfoot Sportsplex Centre on June 10.

Recognized were 31 OSCC 1987 graduates receiving diplomas and certificates in basic education, high school completion, homemaker and health careers. Included in the ceremonies were 14 1987 Siksika senior high school graduates, and 18 1987 post-secondary graduates. Post-secondary degrees included several Bachelors in Social Work, Education and Civil Engineering, a Masters in Political Science, and a Doctor of Dentistry. Also honored were the more than 26 past university graduates since 1970.

Mervin Wolf Leg, B.Ed., master of ceremonies, made the comment that the number of Blackfoot graduating students has increased 700% in the last decade, due in part by the example of past graduates returning to contribute to the reservation community.

Addressing the graduates, Chief Leo Youngman said, "You will prove to be a great asset to the development of our people." He congratulated the parents, husbands, wives and families for their support to their related students. He urges everyone to continue to stand behind them for their great inspiration to future generations, "Education is a top priority to our Band Council." He added, "Education is a Treaty right if we accept it, and no government should do anything to lessen the worth of these guarantees.

The evening's highlight came in the challenging message of invited guest speaker, Alwyn Morris (Mohawk) 1984 Olympic Gold & Bronze Medalist. He noted that more and more hearts of Native youth are turning toward their Elders, a priceless strength, because "once we lose them, we lost their wisdom."

Speaking of the struggles Native people face, he commented that, from his own experience, he wouldn't have had it any other way. He says, "We are a competitive people. Remember when we were young and someone pushed us down? What happened? We got up and we pushed back!"

Morris traced the path of sacrifice for his Olympic participation and likened it to the successful realization of educational goals. "You can never put a value on what education can do for you. Without it we have no future. Your time is here!"

Because of his Olympic training his own educational pursuits were interrupted, though he did receive a certificate in Outdoor Recreation Management and sports Administration from Capilano College in North Vancouver, B.C. But he says many times life points us in new directions. "Doors close and doors open. GO as far as you can. I have to do something more than paddle. I want to finish my degree and sit among you."

Morris also lectures for NNADAP (National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program). He said he believes in potential: "I've seen too many friends and too many relatives and too much potential washed away. I do not like hearing what you 'could have done.' I want to hear 'I did' and 'I'm going to.' WE all walk the subtle path of example. I wish all the graduates the best of luck and challenge you to do more. Continue to grow in your town (or whatever you serve) and you will see an awful lot of Native people as leaders in this country."