Three graduate from Echo Dene
Students reminded to look forward, remember roots
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 16, 2016
ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Three students from Echo Dene School in Fort Liard celebrated their graduation from Grade 12 on June 9 among family and friends at the community hall.
Graduate Keith Nelson, centre, flashes a smile as he receives his grad gift, an iPad, from Rebecca Murdoch, left, and Janna Deneron, right. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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The gathering convened beneath banners of gray, black, white and red to give the graduates a proper send-off, with well-wishes for the future as well as a reminder to cast one eye back to Fort Liard as their lives progress.
Graduates Ethan McLeod, Ross Duntra and Keith Nelson all celebrated their graduation from the school. The ceremony included speeches from teachers and community members, as well as Deh Cho Terry Jaffray, superintendent of the Dehcho Divisional Education Council, and Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson.
Duntra and McLeod made a joint speech on their journey to graduation, crediting their parents for pushing them to attend classes and reminiscing on some of the school trips they took.
"In the future, when we leave school, we have many choices to consider," said Duntra, who added he hopes to pursue a career in the trades after taking a year off to work and save money.
McLeod credited his girlfriend for motivating him to go to school.
He plans to attend Aurora College in the fall.
Graduates' plans for the future were praised by community leaders, who urged them to push forward and eventually bring their skills back to the community.
A letter from Fort Liard Metis President Ernie McLeod, read out by Ken Nowoselski, reminded the graduates that Acho Dene Koe First Nation's land claims settlement is wrapping up with the Northwest Territories government.
"That means there will be jobs created to look after this responsibility. Qualified people are needed for these jobs," he wrote.
"You have time to pursue your dreams and choose an area that is of interest to you ... You are the next generation to step up, get training and lead our people into the future."
Mayor Steven Steeves reminded graduates in a letter that this is only one milestone in their lives, with more to come.
"You need to go beyond Fort Liard, because we are connected to a larger world outside this town," he wrote.
"With further training, you can make something out of yourselves that will make you feel proud and motivate you to give back to the community of Fort Liard in a positive way."
Other dignitaries who spoke to graduates during the ceremony included Dehcho Divisonal Education Council chair Rebecca Murdoch, Christine Abela from Aurora College, Janna Deneron from the district education authority, Cheryl Bertrand from the Northern store and Roslyn Firth as guest speaker. Firth, who is currently the hamlet's recreation co-ordinator, shared her story of finishing school three credits shy and thus not being able to attend her graduation ceremony.
"The point is, to assure you that who you are today is just a tiny snapshot of who you will be in a few decades," she said.
"Accomplishments in life do not come easily, and if you apply the same determination to future endeavours, your likelihood of success will increase dramatically."
Graduates received gifts during the ceremony, including a guitar for Duntra, an iPad for Nelson and a phone for McLeod.
