Shoal Lake Cree Nation celebrates their 2015 graduates
- Tiffany Head | June 30, 2015
As soon as the guests were all settled, the graduates performed their grand march, as their chosen song, What are you waiting for by Nickleback, played in the background. Each graduate was introduced along with their escorts.
On a beautiful sunny spring day, the Wacihk Education Complex in Shoal Lake Cree Nation had their graduation on the second week of June.
The gym was decorated in colours of black silver and white. The 9 graduates graduating wore varied colored formal wear that was of their choosing.
The communities chief and council were present and said a few words of encouragement to the graduates. Special guests Former FSIN Chief Lawrence Joseph, FSIN Second Vice Chief Bobby Cameron, and PAGC Vice Chief Brian Hardlotte were invited to the event. Barbara McMan From Nipawin, known as “lady barber” to the community, was also a very honoured guest this year.
Grade 12 educator Stan Merasty said the students worked really hard in their studies, especially their Valedictorian, Carlanda Bear, daughter of Chief Carlton Bear.
“Carlanda Bear, who had an average of 87 per cent in all of her subjects, won the Stan Fuller-Bey award, an award that is based on the 3 A's (Attitude, Attendance and Academics). All the staff members chipped in to buy a laptop for the student to use in her post-secondary this fall,” said Stan Merasty.
Denesha Nawakayas was among the graduates and says she was very nervous and excited when grad day finally came.
In Shoal Lake, they started a rose giving tradition in 2003, in respect and honour to the ones that supported them in their education, be it a parent, grand-parent, other family member or close friend. It is the most emotional part of the ceremony for graduates and guests.
“When we were handling roses for our family,” said Nawakayas of her most memorable moment at her grad.
Graduate Feather Bear plans to be a police officer someday and has applied at Saskatchewan polytechnic in Prince Albert in hopes that she will get in.
Bear’s had chosen her dad as her escort for a very special reason, one that she and him will remember for a long time.
“I chose because I wanted him to walk beside on my grad, just like he would on my wedding day,” said Bear.
Every graduation has their special and memorable moments. The 2015 Shoal Lake Graduates enjoyed their grad ceremony. They now look to the future as they go on to pursue other educational possibilities and chase their dreams.