Record number of Aboriginal students graduate

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More than 300 family, friends and guests watched as 45 Aboriginal students were honored at the 5th annual Traditional Celebration of Achievement in Fort McMurray on May 03.

The students, who graduated from Father Patrick Mercredi community high school, Westwood community high school, Fort McMurray Composite high school and from the Chipewyan Prairie Dene high school in Janvier, are from the communities of Anzac, Fort McMurray, Janvier, Chard, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.

"I think that it is something to be proud of. This is the highest amount of high school graduates that we ever had for this region. Last year we had 44 students graduate. This year we have 45, one more than last year and that is excellent," said Irene Loutit, an organizer of the event.

"The ceremony keeps getting bigger and better. I find that more and more people want to come and celebrate with the graduates each year. I remember the first traditional celebration we had. There were 27 graduates, so the numbers are increasing every year. It was just wonderful," she said.

Keynote speaker Judy Daniels, speaker Evelyn Goodstriker, of the Aboriginal Services Department, the singing group CreeAtive Harmony, the Northwind Dancers and the Howling Wolves Singers and Drummers kept the crowd entertained.

"In the future I would also like to see all the students attend the celebration and for the information to get to the parents. I would also like to include an evaluation for the people to fill so it will give everyone a chance to comment. I liked when Evelyn Goodstriker mentioned that the Wood Buffalo Region was the most successful in graduating Aboriginal students in the province.

"The parents also need a pat in the back for their children graduating, when there are support systems at home the students are likely to succeed. I find that principal and the superintendents in the high schools here are very supportive to the Aboriginal students and this is what we need," she said.

The evening ended with chiefs Bernadette Dumais of the Fort McMurray First Nation, Walter Janvier of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, George Poitras of Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Metis Nation provincial vice president Brenda Blyan-Calliou, and former chief Archie Waquan addressing the students on the importance of education.

"This is a dream come true. I've been looking forward to this and I've been anticipating it since I was a little girl. I look forward to going to university and making a career for myself. I want to eventually work with Aboriginal people," said graduate Dayna McNeilly.

"Graduating is memorable to me. I had to move away from home to get an education. It was really hard but with the support from my mom and dad it made everything much easier," said graduate Bonnie McDonald.

"She is the first one in our family to graduate, so I'm very proud of her. She just turned 17 in March and she's finished her Grade 12. My husband and I have always encouraged her to finish school," said mom Edna McDonald.

The graduates are:

Jason Bailey

Toni Boostrom

Brandon Bunnie

Sarah Callan

Roxanne Cartwright

Amanda Castor

Bradi Chalifoux

Misty Chalifoux

Jeff Cheecham

Vanessa Clarke

Lorena Cook

Rosanna Cyprien

Amy Fraser

Kyle Gauther

Kyle Gladue

Melissa Hall

Jonathan Hansen

Tyler Hodgson

Brant Janvier

Nicole Janvier

Travis Janvier

Tyler Langevin

Lori Anne Laviolette

Shannon Loutit

Norman MacDonald

Katherine Malcolm

Bonnie McDonald

Sharleen McKenzie

Dayna McNeilly

Chris Mercredi

Patrick Mercredi

Dustin Nokohoo

Samantha Pilgrim

Crystal Powder

Lane Roth

Adam Scott

Samantha Shadbolt

Lee Sidoroff

Joey Tremblay

Trevor Upton

Trisha Waquan

Julien Waterman

Martina Whitebear

Peter Whitehead

Jamie Whitford