The Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation celebrated the graduation of three of their community members who graduated high school during an event at the First Nations Pow Wow grounds Saturday.
The three students are Amberly McArthur, who attended Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon, Man.; Sharlyse McArthur who attended Balfour Collegiate in Regina and Austin Sayer attending Arcola High School. Sayer was unable to be present for the ceremony.
The students, having to accomplish their studies away from home, enjoyed a sunny summer day attended by family, friends and First Nations members.
Fabian Brown played the hand drum to begin the ceremony.
Noella Eagle was the invited guest speaker and also was the presenter of the eagle feathers.
Eagle received her bachelor of education and her masters from Brandon University and she is currently working on her doctorate of education at the University of Calgary. She is from the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation located north of Pipestone, Man.
Eagle delivered an encouraging talk to the grads and those attending, stressing the importance of finding a balance and skill set to become employable, and to maintain one’s culture and language to empower who you are as a person.
Juanita McArthur who is the holder of the education portfolio for the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation, proudly presented the students with traditional blankets and FSIN medallions noting the success of having the number of graduates rises from the First Nation over the last few years.
Congratulations to the three students. The acknowledgement of the challenge to graduate with the pandemic and to complete schooling away from your home is a great accomplishment.
