Fort Liard (Feb 25/05) - Lisa Bertrand has learned to make the most of second chances.

Since July she has been back as band manager trainee for the Acho Dene Koe First Nation. She had been in the job for a year previously, but resigned because it just wasn't the right time in her life, she said.

Re-offered the position by chief and council, she's now in a three-year training position. She's feeling more comfortable this time around, she noted.

"I'm very grateful that they did ask me to come back. I enjoy the job that I'm doing," she said, adding that she is also juggling her career with raising a 17-month-old daughter. "Anybody can do it if you just put your mind to it."

With tutelage from band manager Tammy Neal, Bertrand, 27, is becoming familiar with band programs and funding sources. She prepares agendas for band meetings and takes minutes.

She emphasizes that she's available to help band members with any concerns or issues.

"I'm trying to do something positive and assist people," she said. "I want people to know there's so many training opportunities out there."

Neal said Bertrand is an ideal candidate for the job because she's a band member who speaks the Slavey language, she's a quick and willing learner and she's patient.

"She relates well with community members who phone here and come in here," said Neal.

Bertrand is a member of the Echo Dene class of 2000, the first group of graduates the school produced. But getting her diploma wasn't a straightforward matter, either. Struggling with her assignments, she dropped out of school. "You know how kids rebel," she said with a chuckle.

She babysat for a year, but decided that she wanted career options.

"The only way I could see getting a stable job for my future was going back to high school," she explained, adding that her sister, Margie, and some teachers encouraged her to continue her education.

She recalled that she spent two weeks fretting before finally walking back into a classroom. Having quit, she was admittedly intimidated at the idea of facing her teachers again.

"I felt nervous that they would say, No," said Bertrand. "(But) they were very happy to see me. I find that teachers are always there to help you."

Those same teachers stayed after school so she could catch up on her assignments and improve her marks, she said.

She added that she's proud of her fellow graduates, several of whom have gone on to post-secondary schools and found work in Fort Liard.

"I think they deserve credit for bettering themselves," she said.