Fulfilling a dream: Wahsa graduates 14 students

For graduates such as Roy Fiddler, getting a high school diploma was an especially big accomplishment.
Fiddler was one of 14 mature aged Wahsa graduates who were honoured by over 200 guests at the 22nd annual Wahsa graduation in Sioux Lookout on June 19.
Like his peers, Fiddler was supporting his family and holding down a job while working to fulfill his dream of a high school diploma.
“I found the going tough and at times I nearly gave up, but I wanted to set an example for my kids so I kept going,” Fiddler said, adding that he intends to pursue further education now that high school is behind him. “I intend to apply to university, not sure which course to take, but for the time being I’m going to take a break.”
Emcees Lorraine Sainnawap and Caitlin Warby opened the ceremony by introducing the graduates. Juliet Blackhawk opened the ceremony with a prayer which was followed by traditional drumming and a song.
Congratulations were offered to the graduates from dignitaries such as Regional Chief Stan Beardy, NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Northern Nishnawbe Education Council’s Norma Kejick and others.
“Every time we make some progress as First Nations people it is for the benefit of the whole country,” Beardy told the graduates. “It has been said that we are faced with many difficulties, many challenges, but at the same time there are opportunities and I give thanks for that.”
On a special note, husband and wife Eliezar and Janey McKay were among those who graduated.
“Initially it was very hard, what with working and family commitments plus we had some personal problems that made it difficult, but it was something we believed in very strongly and we were determined to finish it,” Eliezer McKay said.
Wahsa principal Darrin Head noted that the challenges faced by many mature students makes the success of the graduates even that much more special.
“Most of our students are coming back into the system as adults and trying to work around jobs, family those sorts of things so it’s a challenge and to see them finally succeed is always gratifying for us at Wahsa,” said Head.
Head added that the fact Wahsa allows students to remain in their home communities, with their families, and work around their schedule makes the program successful.
“It’s always a positive feeling when we have these graduations,” Head said. “Our interactions tend to be by telephone or online, so to have this opportunity to get them all together to celebrate like this is a really good feeling for us and the students as well.”