WHITE BEAR FIRST NATIONS - The White Bear Education Complex celebrated four successful young men June 15 for completing their Grade 12.
The theme of Don’t Live Someone Else’s Dream; Discover your Own reflected the hard work of the graduates.
Families, elders, and school staff came together to honor the achievements of Gage Joyea, Vaughan Shepherd, Ronan Nahbexie and Leslie Lonethunder. Dim lights, pictures, red, black and white balloons, dream catchers and drumming from a local group set the ambiance for the evening.
The event opened up with Alisa Favel, vice principal and master of ceremonies, welcoming the crowd and the students. Pride could be heard in her voice when she expressed how full her heart was of the beautiful experience of watching these four boys graduate.
Elder Kem Joyea opened up with a prayer which was followed by a local band that drummed and sang an honour song.
Splatters of applause and flashing cameras accompanied the graduates as Favel introduced the graduates one at a time.
A toast to the parents was given by Gage Joyea. Joyea thanked the staff for guiding them and pushing them to go to school.
Parent April Joyea gave a wonderful reply. Joyea talked about Einstein, Terry Fox, Jim Carey and others, and congratulated the students to persevere despite any physical or intellectual disability.
Vaughan Shepherd followed with a toast to the teachers thanking them for their great lessons, guidance and offers of help.
Denine Lacerte replied to the students that they were a pleasure to work with, were respectful and taught the staff lots.
Frank McArthur encouraged the grads to never forget where they came from, to continue with their education, and wished them happiness, health and prosperity.
Ronan Nahbexie followed with a reply from the students.
Valedictorian Leslie Lonethunder spoke from the heart.
“We are four proud White Bear men” who thank community, parent’s and staff.
Lonethunder talked about the relationships made with the teachers and listed each one since Grade 1. He thanked them for never giving up on them and plans to continue making them proud. Lonethunder talked about his fellow graduates and shared how they picked each other up.
Lonethunder spoke clearly and passionately when he said “it’s time to take my place as a leader”.
Erin McArthur, a 2012 Carlyle graduate from White Bear, spoke at length about staying focused and the discipline needed. Her parents pushed her into post-secondary school despite her unwillingness. After that, there was no stopping McArthur and with bursaries and scholarships she graduated with both a sociology and bachelor of arts degree.
McArthur describes herself as shifting from an “underachieving student to always seeking knowledge”. She encourages the grads to “never stop learning and to always have determination to invest in themselves “.
Teagan Littlechief sang A Capella to Once An Eagle, a song picked by the students. Littlechief reminded the students that “home in not going anywhere, there is nothing holding you back, so go out and get it done”.
Faith Watson and Lisa Ewack, Treaty Education Alliance and student support co-ordinator, honoured the graduates with a gift and reminded them, they are covered by the prayers of their family and ancestors. Watson and Ewack encouraged that the youth should walk with strength and honour, and to pray and smudge.
Marylee Morrison-Lees handed out the scholastic awards:
Gage Joyea: Achievement award for honesty and respect
Ronan Nahbexie: Most improved award
Vaughan Shepherd: Best attendance award, as he only missed three days all year.
Leslie Lonethunder: Highest academic award
The Prestige Student of the Year award was presented to Lonethunder for his leadership, caring, sharing, and always speaking his mind respectfully. Morrison-Lee’s shared that it was a close race for this award.
Morrison-Lees then announced the Donald McArthur Award by first reading a letter from McArthur’s daughter Elaine. Donald MacArthur was a residential school survivor where he witnessed abuse. As a parent he worked hard to support students and his children.
McArthur believed education was so important he established education on reserve. McArthur’s children wanted to continue their father’s belief in the potential of students and recognize school takes hard work and perseverance.
Shepherd received this year’s award.
Gina Joyea presented gifts to the students who applied for post-secondary education.
Education is a treaty right, and consequently all the students were gifted with the FSIN medal. This medal symbolizes a commitment to honour the treaty, and a promise for the future.
Representative from Bear Claw Casino presented the graduates with a gift and encouraged them to accept all challenges.
Jason Lamb shared gifts with the graduates from the White Bear Board of Education, congratulating them on their achievements and reminded them “the sky is your limit”.
White Bear Chief Annette Lonechild and council shared gifts on behalf of White Bear First Nation while reminding the graduates to stay focused, accept challenges and dream “over the horizon“.
After Morrison-Lees handed out the diplomas, Sara McArthur and elder Dorothy Joyea gifted each student with a striking red, black and white Star Blanket. As each student was wrapped, they were reminded they are on Earth as visitors and the blanket symbolizes comfort, protection and an acknowledgement about what was achieved. This is Kem and Dorothy’s first year as school elder and she reminded the students they are all role models in their own way and it’s hard to see them go.
Wrapped in their Star Blankets, the students were then gifted with an Eagle Feather, which was used by ancestors in prayer with the belief all prayers are heard and because the eagle flies the highest.
After the grads were gifted a graduation jacket, the celebration ended with closing remarks and a prayer from Elder Joyea.
