Community honours Kakisa's premiere grads
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Kakisa (Dec 22/00) - Melaine Simba and Jennifer Simba have accomplished something no other resident has ever done.
The two were honoured by their families and the community during a ceremony at Kakisa Lake school last Wednesday for being the first to graduate in the community.
Teacher Donna Dahm said achieving a diploma takes a great deal of commitment.
"A graduation day is just one day, but this has taken many, many days of hard work," she said.
Both graduates said they had occasionally contemplated dropping out.
"There were days I didn't feel like going to school, I didn't feel like doing the work," Jennifer said.
But they had each other to lean on, and teachers who encouraged them.
"Our family motivated us," said Melaine, who is Jennifer's aunt.
"My mom and dad would sit down at talk to me. They told me if I finish school I would get more options than if I didn't finish school, and get a better job," said Jennifer.
The guest speakers commended the two graduates for their perseverance.
"I'm really proud standing here seeing Melaine and Jennifer start from an old trailer to the new school we have today," said Lloyd Chicot, chief of the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation.
"It makes me glad... they didn't have to go somewhere else."
Chicot and Allan Landry, chair of the Deh Cho Education Council, said it was gratifying to see the western curriculum and technology such as computers blended with a cultural component and traditional knowledge.
Better future
"They try to incorporate everything they've learned. It gives them a better future because they know where they're coming from," Chicot said.
"We're always trying to balance today and our traditional way of life," said Landry.
Melaine now plans to study nursing. She will begin her post-secondary studies Jan. 3 in Grande Prairie, Alta. Jennifer is considering an office job with an oil and gas company.
Both graduates said they plan to return to Kakisa in the future and, in some way, provide encouragement to younger students to pursue education.
"You're a great example to your community," said Nolan Swartzentruber, director of the Deh Cho Divisional Board of Education.
"We trust you won't forget the good foundation here at home."
