More than 40 Nuu-chah-nulth post-secondary graduates and scholarship winners were recognized at a celebration hosted by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Education Department at the Alberni Athletic Hall June 14.
Tseshaht Councillor Eunice Joe welcomed everyone on behalf of her nation and praised the graduates and scholarship winners on their hard work and commitment to their education.
Hupacasath Chief Councillor Steven Tatoosh also welcomed everyone and wished the graduates good luck on their journey through life.
NTC President Cliff Atleo talked about the importance of the work post-secondary students are doing for Nuu-chah-nulth-aht.
“The building of these skills is for the betterment of all and the opportunities for them are endless,” Atleo said before congratulating them.
NTC Vice-President Ken Watts praised the families of the graduates for their constant support. Having lost his own father while in college, Watts urged everyone not to take their families for granted.
Keynote speaker Kim Erickson, Hesquiaht, said she graduated in 2007 with a BS degree, she said with a chuckle. Erickson graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and counseling. Her education has allowed her to serve Nuu-chah-nulth people both at the NTC’s Teechuktl (mental health) program and now at Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Child and Family Services.
Erickson congratulated the students for their amazing accomplishments. She advised them to keep moving forward no matter what.
“Even if you get knocked down, you just get back up,” she told them.
She also talked about the importance of both western and cultural education; and how both are needed to help Nuu-chah-nulth people succeed in modern society.
“We’re all really proud of you tonight,” she said.
The honorees are:
Ditidaht First Nation Post-Secondary Graduates: Cecelia Boersen, Diploma, Family & Community Counseling, Native Education College; Cynthia Eaton, Culinary Arts Certificate, Vancouver Island University.
Ditidaht First Nation Scholarship winners: Carolyn Fred – Human Service Worker Program, North Island College, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Tommy Jack Memorial Scholarship; Krista-Lynn Joseph – Human Service Worker Program, North Island College, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Renate Shearer Scholarship; Mercediese Dawson – College Prep, North Island College, BMO Bank of Montreal Tsahaheh Scholarship; Sarah Russ – Early Childhood Education and Care, Vancouver Island University, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Pension Plan Scholarship; Stephanie Marchand – College Prep, Vancouver Island University, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Nursing Scholarship;Tyler Milliken – Graphic Design, Vancouver Island University, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Post-Secondary Scholarship.
Ehattesaht First Nation Graduates: Marcia McBride – Diploma in Esthetics/Spa Therapy, Blanche Macdonald Centre; Victoria Wells – Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Language Revitalization, University of Victoria.
Ehattesaht First Nation Scholarship winners: Leona McBride – Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Nursing Scholarship;Victoria Wells – Aboriginal Language Revitalization, University of Victoria, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council John Thomas Memorial Scholarship.
Hesquiaht First Nation Graduates: Emily Paige Recalma – Bachelor of Education, Vancouver Island University;Kelsey Amos – Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education, North Island College; Nicole R. Galatuik – Certificate in Unit Clerk, Grande Prairie Regional College.
Hesquiaht First Nation Scholarships: Carrie Tom – Indigenous Business Leadership, Camosun College, BMO Band of Montreal Tsahaheh Scholarship; Danielle Rowland – Education, University of British Columbia, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Pension Plan Scholarship; Estella Charleson – Law, University of Victoria, John Jacobson Memorial Scholarship from Woodward and Company.
Hupacasath First Nation Scholarships: Alicia Richards – Resource Management, Vancouver island university; Budget Car and Truck Rental Scholarship; Daniel Vissia – College Prep, Trinity Western University, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Post-Secondary Scholarship; Jared Dick – Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Victoria, Chatwin Engineering Ltd. Scholarship,Jolleen Dick – Tourism Management, Vancouver Island University, Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation Scholarship; Lindsey Burnham – Business Administration, Camosun College, Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation Scholarship; Bobbi Tatoosh – Bachelor of Business Administration, North Island College, Daisy Haiyupis Memorial Scholarship.
Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation Graduates: Daniel Blackstone – Bachelor of Arts with Minor in First Nation Studies and Political Studies, Vancouver Island University; Debbie Cheryl McCarthy – Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies, Vancouver Island University; Joni-Rae Johnson – Bachelor of Education with a concentration of First Nations Education, University of British Columbia; Deanna Carleen Jack – Certificate for Early Childhood Educator Assistant, Capilano University
Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation Scholarship Winner: Deanna Carleen Jack – Early Childhood Educator Assistant, Capilano University, NTC Post-Secondary Scholarship
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Graduates: Crystal Brune – Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science, University of Victoria; Johnnie James Manson – Bachelor of Arts with Distinction majoring in Anthropology and Resource Management, Simon Fraser University; Lavern Frank – Health Care Assistant Certificate, Native Education College; Maxine Manson – Human Service Worker Diploma, North Island College
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Scholarship Winners: Cheryl Brune – College Prep, Camosun College, BMO Bank of Montreal Tsahaheh Scholarship; Johnnie James Manson – Anthropology and Resource Management, Simon Fraser University, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Alfred Keitlah Jr. Memorial Bursary; Jonothan Hjalmer Wenstob – Fine Arts, University of Victoria, BMO Bank of Montreal Tsahaheh Scholarship; Naomi Williams – Child & Youth Care, University of Victoria, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Pension Plan Scholarship.
Tseshaht First Nation Graduates: Sara Fred – Indigenous Family Support Certificate, Camosun College; Agnes Myra Mack – Make-up Artistry Diploma, Blanche Macdonald Centre, Patricia Watts – Indigenous Language Revitalization Graduate Certificate, University of Victoria; Leisa Fred – Human Service Worker Certificate, North Island College; Caledonia Fred – Bachelor of Commerce, Royal Roads University.
Tseshaht First Nation Scholarships: Allandra Barton – Business Administration, Thompson River University, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Pension Plan Scholarship; Len Lindstrom – Motion Picture Production, Capilano University, Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper Scholarship; Melanie Fred – Indigenous Studies, Camosun College, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Wahmeesh Memorial Scholarship.
Uchucklesaht First Nation Scholarship: Megan Cootes – Business Administration, Vancouver Island University, McIntosh Norton Williams Certified General Accountants scholarship.
