AVC college gets a new name

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The entertainers came from near and far to help Lac La Biche's Portage College officially unveil it's name and logo to the community on May 26.

Sponsored by the college's Native Awareness Committee, dancing, singing, music and fashion kept the audience in the college's McGrane Theatre entertained.

College student and world hoop dance competitor, Anthony Whiskeyjack opened up the show. The Saddle Lake resident warmed up the crowd with his hoop patterns and designs.

Trisha Reid from the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement and her fancy dance partner Angela Frencheater from the Sunchild First Nation filled the stage with color as they twirled and spun for the crowd. The two girls are students at Edmonton's Ben Calfe Robe School.

Lac La Biche's own Cory Ann Morin took the microphone for a rendition of the new country classic, I've got better things to do, and Eddie Quinney was Knockin' on Heaven's Door with his Bob Dylan cover.

Rounding out the showcase talent, Janet Blyan put a touch of fashion into the room with a variety of her own Aboriginal clothing designs. Blyan is in the college's Native Arts program.

The Lac La Biche designer also performed a song called Listen to the Drum. The emotional song highlighted the Aboriginal struggle through time and the containing struggle of many Aboriginal people to fight for their identity.

Following the 90 minute showcase, elected officials, including area MLAs, former Advanced Education and Career Development minister Clint Dunford, and past college board of governor's chairman Tom Erasmus spoke about the importance of the college to the community.

Erasmus was presented with a certificate and plaque for his commitment to the college.

Erasmus and his family have a long connection to the college. His father, Peter, was an employee of Alberta NewStart at the institution's inception. Erasmus' mother was an employee of Alberta Vocational Centre for 10 years.

Erasmus himself was a student of the college's Community Social Work program in 1984.