Graduation ceremony postponed due to forest fires
- Tiffany Head | July 03, 2015
Summer is a time for graduations, but for most communities in the North who did not have their ceremonies yet, they have had to hold off due to the wildfire and mmoke.
Red Earth Cree Nation, who was supposed to have their Grad Ceremony last week, had to postpone it after the Chief and headmen decided to send the moderate and high risk community members to Regina for their safety.
Upcoming graduate, Amberly Young, was not happy to leave her community but it was for the sake of her 6-month-old baby. She says on the other hand, she was also glad.
“I was relieved because I wanted everything ready and now I have more time to buy things for that when I get back,” said Young.
She says she will be wearing a blue dress and will be escorted by her 15-year-old brother, Niska Mckay.
She says one day she will become a nurse, if she does not change her mind, but will be taking a year off before making any plans to go into post-secondary education.
Kaylee Whitecap says she was okay with the graduation being postponed, as it will eventually happen and there is no rush. She was pretty much ready for the graduation and had everything ready for the big day.
The graduates could not decide what their colors would be so everyone just chose what color they wanted to wear.
“The colors are red, purple, green, sky blue, navy blue, royal blue, and orange. I don’t know how they will decorate the gym, but it will probably follow the colors,” said Whitecap.
She will be wearing an orange dress and her escorts will be her oldest nephew Rayden Whitehead and her niece Kadence Whitehead.
Whitecap is not sure about what her plans are for the future and is quite undecided.
“I don't know why I'm changing my mind, & no I haven't I was going to apply at U of R for the education program but I thought it was too already late to apply. Now I'm thinking that taking a year off of school,” said Whitecap.
The graduates will be more than ready when the big day finally comes, but for now they will await eagerly for when the time comes for them to go home to their community.
Related stories:
- Fundraisers planned to help fire evacuees
- Beautiful North Relief Concert
- Evacuation uncomfortable for mothers, expectant mothers
- Red Earth evacuees head far south for better air