Native students mark graduation at Mount Royal

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Ten Native students from Mount Royal College's Counselor Aid Program celebrated their graduation recently.

The event marked a significant milestone of achievement in the lives of these Stoney, Cree and Blackfoot students.

"It's these graduates who will be the pillars of our Native communities and who will ensure the survival of our people," said guest speaker Roy Cunningham.

"They have shown great fortitude in sticking it out through their courses."

The graduates finished a very demanding program. All of the courses from the regular Mount Royal College social work program, which normally take two years to complete, were finished in one year.

In addition to the in-school courses, the students were required to complete a practical course component. Their work situations included school counseling, working in health care and at the Calgary Correctional Center.

Lawrence Braul, Director of Programs at the Correctional Center commented that "it is important to have Native people providing services to their own population. They are more effective than non-Natives in this area."

Lawrence added that he was most impressed with the quality of the counselor aid program and hoped to develop more links with Native communities.

Course co-ordinator Carol Gowans and instructor Mary Stacey gave emotional speeches at the banquet. They praised the graduates for overcoming obstacles to complete their assignments.

They expressed how it was a tremendous experience working with the students, and felt they ha grown as educators through knowing them.

The feeling at the banquet was one of hope and strength. The positive evening closed with students, instructors and guests participating in an appreciation round dance.