With about 400 friends and family looking on, 30 students from across the province took part in the Northlands College graduation on Saturday in La Ronge.
Students from such programs as business administration, nursing, social work, Aboriginal justice and criminology and education were part of the ceremony.
“The last two years, many of us students went through a lot of things that were designed to make us give up,” education student Cadena Deschambault of Cumberland House says. “Our group never allowed each other to give up. Our instructors did not allow us to give up.”
Susan Moosewaypayo, a graduate of the nursing program, says going back to school was not an easy decision.
“When attending school, you are constantly pushing yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone,” Moosewaypayo, the mother of three boys, says. “Education is challenging for a person who is trying to better themselves and make big life changes.”
Two faculty members were honoured for their long-time service to the college.
Laura Burnouf and Ray Smith are both retiring from Northlands this year.
The two spent many years teaching in the Northern Teacher Educator Program (NORTEP) until funding was canceled in 2017 and the program was phased out after over 40 years of existence.
Burnouf presented Metis students with sashes before the graduation ceremony.
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson was on hand to present band member graduates with a traditional starblanket.
Chief Cook-Searson says starblankets are a way of showing pride in the graduates while wrapping each one in love and warmth.
Each of the starblankets is original and unique in its own way and were handmade by Rose Morin from Big River First Nation.
(PHOTO: Lac La Ronge Indian Band members with their handmade starblankets at the Northlands College graduation. Photo by Abel Charles.)