Fort Liard (Jun 30/06) - The accomplishments of Fort Liard's four graduates were celebrated with pride June 22.

Students from Echo Dene school gathered at the community hall with family and friends on their special day.

Echo Dene school graduates Leroy Sassie, Rosslyn Kotchea, Melanie Drake and Garrett Sassie share a moment during their graduation ceremony in Fort Liard. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Melanie Drake, the class valedictorian, reflected on all the people who helped them reach this point. It's because of the love and encouragement of parents and family that we are here tonight, Drake said.

"They never seemed to be fooled when we answered the morning calls to get up," Drake said with a smile.

"The teachers were always there when we had a difficult task to complete," she said.

Looking toward the future, Drake said the graduates know more education is needed so they can get useful jobs. As they travel into the world, however, they also have to remember where they came from.

"Learning to speak our language is important. We have to stay connected to our elders who hold our culture," Drake said.

Nolan Swartzentruber, the Deh Cho's superintendent of education, also encouraged the graduates to continue to use traditions from their past.

"We are here tonight because we recognize you as role models in the community," he said. In their biographies the graduates related the following messages:

Rosslyn Kotchea:

A memorable time for me was the field trips. One in particular was our last trip with Mr. Fitzpatrick. We travelled to Edmonton. We visited two college campuses and explored many facilities that exist within a large city.

The people who were most influential in helping me remain in school were members of my family, my parents and my sisters. I could not have done this without your help and continuous support. A simple thank you is not enough.

One of my goals is to learn my language. It is very important to me. There are times when I feel left out of conversations when Slavey is spoken. I know that I am not excluded on purpose but I do want to be part of the group. It is up to me to learn how to speak it.

Leroy Sassie:

A memorable experience in school for me were the school trips. I really enjoyed going to Edmonton, because I went there two years in a row. The soccer trips were great fun.

The most influential people in my life who helped me remain in school were my mom Anna and my stepdad Richard. They encouraged me to stay in school when several of my friends had dropped out. There were times when I really wanted to remain on the land at the fall camps, but they both made me aware of other possibilities in my future.

In the next 12 months, I want to take some time to earn money for college, live on the land for awhile and then head off to college.

Melanie Drake:

What I will remember about my school years in Fort Liard is that I still know students I met in Grade 4 when I first moved here.

It has been interesting and fun to grow up with people and now to be able to look back at the choices that were made and where they are now.

The influential people in my life are my parents.

They have stood by me, hauled me along at times, especially when I didn't want to get out of bed in the mornings for school.

I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them. Thank you both.

The part of my culture that I think is important and I enjoy is when community members gather to celebrate special events throughout the North. I know that no matter where I am I will always make time to attend the gatherings.

Garrett Sassie:

A memorable time for me in school was when I was in Grades 1 and 2. I learned how to play the guitar. I really enjoyed singing songs from the Elvis years, rockin' and rollin' with my classmates.

Two people who continue to influence me with my education are my parents. A day doesn't go by when they never hesitate to tell me that getting an education is an important step in my life. Thanks mom and dad for believing in me!

I hope to attend college to take courses that will help me with a suitable career.

My parents have instilled in me a sense of pride in my culture.

I know it is important to be respectful of elders, people in general and to look after our environment we live in. Our land is our life!