Overcoming challenges on the road to success

Over 300 people relatives and friends attended the 2013 graduation ceremony at Pelican Falls High School on May 14, to celebrate the success of northern students who overcame so many challenges to get their education.
One of the graduates was Arlena Neekan of Mishkeegogamang, who summed up the feelings of her peers when she described what graduation day was like.
“I’m very excited, shaking,” Neekan said. “It feels like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now I don’t have to worry about anything.”
Neekan said she almost gave up on school a number of times, as she faced numerous personal challenges during her time at Pelican Falls. But in the end, she said, it was worth it.
The emcee for the graduation ceremony was Glen Whiskeychan who opened the event by introducing Solomon Kakegamic, vice-principal of Pelican Falls. Kakegamic greeted everybody and congratulated the students on their efforts. Tom Hoppe, Pelican Falls’ guidance counsellor, then introduced the graduates one by one as they walked through an arcade decorated with lights and at the top of which were inscribed with the words “To become what we can be”.
The students represented the northern communities of Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake, North Spirit Lake, Weagamow Lake, Deer Lake and Kingfisher Lake and Mishkeegogamang.
A prayer was said by Hoppe followed by another opening prayer by Elder Juliette Blackhawk, who then introduced the Lac Seul Drummers playing an Honour Song for the students.
Sioux Lookout town councillor Don Fenelon made a short speech of welcome and congratulated the students and inspired them to do more in order to achieve and follow their dreams.
Following this, the Pelican Falls principal Darryl Tinney also wished the students the best that life and school has to offer, encouraged their desires for more achievements and congratulated them on the obstacles they overcame during the school term.
Tinney then introduced the guest speaker, Derek Fox of Bearskin Lake, who is an articling student at law for Cheadles. Fox spoke of how he left home at 15 for a hockey camp in southern Ontario. He talked about how he was met with indifference from the people, and how he used hockey as a tool to overcome his obstacles.
Fox said that he knew education was a way that he could find a resource to help him deal with the challenges he faced.
“You carry on and learn to live with it,” was the message Fox conveyed to the students.
Skyler Childsforever was then announced as the class valedictorian.
Following this, the diploma awards were presented by Tinney and Sol Kakegamic.
This was followed by the presentation of individual school awards, tribal council and representative home community awards to outstanding students.
Tinney concluded the ceremony by thanking the parents of First Nation communities for putting their faith and trust in Pelican Falls High School in placing their children in their hands for a number of years. He also thanked the teachers for helping these students achieve their goals.
He also thanked the Elders and drummers for honouring the students and participating in such a wonderful event.
Diplomas were presented to:
Bearskin Lake
Gage Kamenawatamin
Starlene Chapman
Kingfisher Lake
Sherry Mamakwa
Deer Lake
Charles Mawakeesic
Jannine Meekis
Richard Moskotaywenene
Tren Rae
Mishkeegogamang
Nathan Wassaykeesic
Arlena Neekan
Patrick Keesickquayash
North Spirit Lake
John Cameron Jr. Keesic
Solomon Rae
Muskrat Dam
Kayla Beardy
Weagamow Lake
Randall Petawanick
Skyler Childsforever
Abigayle Kanate