By meadowlakeNOW

North West College celebrates graduating students

May 31, 2017 | 6:00 PM

“Everyone has their own story, reflect on your journey. I’m here to tell you how awesome you are, and to celebrate and be grateful for this moment that you are in right now.”

These were some of the eloquent words shared by keynote speaker Devon Fiddler to the 161 graduates, their families, and friends, and the staff at North West College (NWC). The ceremony took place earlier today at PineRidge Ford Place on Flying Dust First Nation.  

Fiddler is originally from Waterhen Lake First Nation, about 70 kilometres North of Meadow Lake. She attended school in the city and on her home reserve and is the founder and chief changemaker of SheNative Goods, a line of Indigenous-inspired handbags and accessories. She is also a strong advocate for creating awareness, empowerment and altering perceptions of Indigenous women and girls worldwide. Since launching her fashion line in 2013, she has received several honours for her efforts including being the 2013 W. Brett Wilson CBC Boom Box Competition winner.

In her speech, Fiddler said life wasn’t always easy during her upbringing, but said she made a choice to not become a victim. Despite her success, she said her level of confidence was not something she was born with.

“I was entering business planning competitions, but I wasn’t confident that I could do it yet,” she said. “I had to put myself out there. But through all the stuff that goes on in life, despite your life’s circumstances, it is your own responsibility to decide how you are going to tackle things. You get to decide. I really don’t believe that our life is written for us, I believe that we write our own life stories by how we react to life.”

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A total of 136 students finished their schooling for certificates as continuing care assistants, electricians, food service cooks, heavy equipment truck and transport technicians, office administration, plumbing and pipefitting, practical nursing, welding and professional cooking. Twenty-five students completed their Adult Basic Education Grade 12 today as well. These students come from Meadow Lake, Big River First Nation, Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Debden, and Leoville.  

NWC President and CEO Tavia Laliberte said college staff and faculty members always look for speakers that have a connection to the area.

“We want to highlight some of the amazing successes that come out of the northwest region of the province,” Laliberte said. “Some of the accomplishments that Devon (Fiddler) has had, the things she stands for, her entrepreneurship, are so inspiring for our graduates.”

She noted that this is the second year for this graduation ceremony format and it has been a great celebration for all involved.

Adult Basic Education students Harley Joseph and Andrea Cantre were chosen to do the student address this year, and both said everyone associated with the college positively impacted their lives.

“The college is great. The instructors and my peers believed in me and drove me to finish,” Joseph said. “Everyone here has their own stories that are all unique, but in many ways connected, by similarities as well. Without the support of the staff, some of us might not have been here today.”

Cantre echoed his thoughts. She attempted the certificate a couple times before in her past.

“Here at North West, I was in an environment where I felt accepted, and that made the biggest difference,” she said.

“We were encouraged. When I first started going to school it was the scariest thing. Now I’m here today feeling how heartwarming but sad it is to be done [and] wondering where the time went. We persevered, and now we’re ready to face the world.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath