Op-ed: You are who you hang out with
- John Lagimodiere | August 06, 2014
Jordan Cummins and Alyssa Czanojoc jumped for joy at their graduation. Their exuberance, and a well-timed photo, has earned them the honour of being our graduation photo of the year. Jordan and Alyssa are just two of the thousands of First Nation and Métis graduates from grade 12, Adult Basic Ed, trades and university that are getting ready to take that next step in life.
Graduating from high school very difficult, believe me, I barely graduated high school the teen years are tough and balancing school, work, family and out of control hormones is almost impossible. You spend most of you time just surviving day to day not even thinking to prepare for the future.
I was honoured this year to be asked to give the Address to the Graduates at the Oskayak Graduation in Saskatoon. A record 55 grads and their families and escorts and school staff made for a 600 person banquet. Quite intimidating.
Remembering nothing from high school, I decided to share with the young people ten things that I have learned since I left high school. I hoped these little tips would give them perspective and be of some value to them somewhere down the road. Here they are. Maybe they can help you.
1. You are who you hang out with. Spend too much time with Pooper Pete, Gang Banger Gary or Miserable Mary and you will become them. Try to either lift them up, or cut the tie.
2. It is okay to fail. It shows you are trying and you learn from each failure.
3. Keep learning. Whether it is a trade, university, watching your cousin fix a car, doesnt matter. Read books. Keep that mind sharp.
4. Be proud of who you are and your ancestry. Never been a better time for First Nation and Métis people in Canada.
5. When you mess up, own it. Nothing beats a true sincere apology believe me, done several.
6. It is okay to be successful. You deserve it.
7. Get up in the morning. Move out of the basement. Shave. Clean yourself up.
8. Take care of yourself. Eat a good diet. Feed your spirit. Go fishing.
9. Give back to the community. Volunteer with young people, old people and at sports events. Donate money! Be a secret Santa.
10. Nothing will be given to you. But with all that you have learned and with your family and community behind you, you can now take opportunities that come your way. We don't have to wait any longer. We have to take it.
Never in my life would I have thought that I would be called on to give words of wisdom to a graduating class and I was deeply honoured to take part in that moving evening. Best of luck to all of the graduates of 2014.