Saskatoon's Aboriginal graduates honoured
- EFN Staff | June 06, 2014
For 30 years, the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC) has been honouring Aboriginal graduates in Saskatoon.
In turn, those grads continue to inspire everyone around them.
Last night, 150 First Nations and Métis graduates from Saskatoon high schools were honoured for their achievements.
Each grad was introduced to the crowd and walked across the stage before receiving gifts and a certificate from SIMFC Executive Director Bill Mintram, who participated in the event himself years ago.
"I value the memories I have of graduating Grade 12 and being honored through this event."
The evening's Valedictorian was Andre Bear-Couillonneur from Oskayak High School. While holding an eagle feather that that had been given to him, he told his fellow graduates he believed in them as First Nations and Métis people.
"I was told that this feather means your dreams come true," he said. "You should always let your spirit soar."
Bear-Couillonneur told his fellow grads that despite every statistic standing in their way, they have succeeded.
"As long as we have our young people...pride and ceremonies...we as Indian people will persevere," he told them.
"We are the seventh generation, and I say tonight, watch closely, as we change the world."
Read Bear-Couillonneur's entire Valedictorian address.
For more photos of the graduates, please visit our Photo Gallery.
It is impossible to not be moved by the stories of the graduates.
Saulteaux First Nation's Sharon Moccasin from Oskayak was awarded an academic scholarship from the Great Saskatoon Catholic School Division. While raising her three young children on her own, she maintained an 84 per cent overall average. She loves to take pictures of her children, has an interest in photography, and hopes to become a nurse.
Tanner Secord is very involved in sports and maintained an 87.9 per cent average, which earned him the academic scholarship from the Saskatoon Public School Division (SPSD). Next fall, he will be playing football with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies while attending the Edwards School of Business.
And, Tyra Lavallee, who attends Marion Graham Collegiate and is a member of the Flying Dust First Nation was awarded the Spirit and Resiliency scholarship from SPSD. An active volunteer, she had to overcome one of the most difficult challenges this past year: the death of a parent. Now, she wants to turn the tragedy of losing her father into doing something good for other people.
"I did not have the opportunity to help him when he died," she wrote. "But I do have the opportunity to help others who are suffering."
Lavallee dreams of becoming a registered nurse and has been accepted into SIAST this coming fall.
Twenty-five scholarships were given out by 18 providers from the public and Catholic school boards, education institutions, businesses, community organizations, and the City of Saskatoon. BHP Billiton was the title sponsor and also provided volunteer support and scholarships.
In addition to the 150 graduates who were honoured, Mintram also presented an award to a SIMFC board member who has volunteered for all 30 years of the celebration.
Paul Koo humbly accepted his award and recognition, but insisted the evening was not about him or the friendship centre.
"Tonight is your night," he told the graduates. "Tomorrow the future is yours."