Aboriginal Education Awards Ceremonies
- School of Access & AECC Student Awards Ceremony, May, 2009
- Camosun honours 19 Aboriginal students at awards dinner, March, 2009
School of Access & AECC - Student Awards Ceremony
On May 21, 2009, Camosun's Aboriginal Education & Community Connections department presented awards to 12 Aboriginal students. Camosun values its relationships with the community partners who step forward each year to make these annual awards possible through donations to the Camosun College Foundation. The awards signify a profound belief in the power of education to change lives, and Camosun is honoured to help these students achieve their educational dreams.
Songhees/Camosun College Affiliation Agreement Award
John T. Quocksister, Campbell River / Songhees
John lives at Songhees and has the goal of becoming the landscaper and gardener for the new Songhees Wellness Centre and of eventually developing greenhouses to support Songhees members growing their own food. He envisions developing a horticultural business and becoming an employer to Songhees people. John has recently completed the Better Employment Strategies & Techniques program and the Horticulture Technician program.
Saanich Indian School Board Award
Sandrea Sampson, Tsartlip
Sandrea has just completed the First Nations College Prep program (now called Indigenous College Prep) and is starting the Indigenous Family Support program in September. Sandrea's long term goal is to work with First Nations children in foster care. As Sandrea noted in her application, 65% of children in foster care are Aboriginal. She is moving toward making a difference for our youth and is a dedicated young woman, committed to her community and her values.
Tsa Qwa Supp Award for Nuu Chah Nulth Students
Ann-Marie Livingstone, Pacheedaht—Nuu-Chah-Nulth
Ann-Marie has just completed her first year of the Indigenous Business Leadership program. Her goal is to develop economic self-sufficiency for the hundred or so Pacheedaht people presently living in poor conditions in Port Renfrew. Already a tourism magnet, Port Renfrew is famous for a wealth of beautiful beaches, the West Coast and San Juan trails, and great sports fishing. Her eventual plans include a Masters of Indigenous Governance or Masters of Business Administration.
Dan Mack, Toquaht—Nuu-Chah-Nulth
Dan has just finished the First Nations College Prep program (now called Indigenous College Prep) and is moving towards becoming a teacher of Indigenous Studies. Dan says "when I was a child I thought that a warrior was someone who was able to defend our rights and freedoms. Now that I have returned to school, I see that we need a different kind of warrior. We need word warriors to fight for our rights and freedoms."
First Unitarian Church of Victoria Award
Frezine Lafortune, Tsawout
Frezine is completing the Early Childhood Care and Education program. She will be meeting a huge need in her community as she achieves this goal. Frezine has faced many challenges during her time at Camosun but she has come through strong. Her teachers support Frezine for this award, and look forward to seeing what she will do in the future.
Brenda Wainwright, Haida
Brenda is the proud mother of two children. She entered the First Nations Family Support Worker (renamed Indigenous Family Support) program in the third week of the program, after successfully completing the prerequisites, and persevered to catch up with the rest of the class. Throughout the program, Brenda experienced challenges within her family, including caring for and then dealing with the loss of her father. Brenda has remained committed to balance family and her studies during this very difficult time.
First Nations Studies Achievement Award
Karen Whetung, Alderville—Ojibwe
Karen, a graduate of First Nations Studies (renamed Indigenous Studies), achieved the highest possible Grade Point Average (9.0) in the Fall semester followed up with 8.7 in Winter! She also contributes to her classmates' success by providing emotional and academic support outside of the classroom. After receiving an A on a paper, Karen would ask, "Why didn't I receive an A+?" —not because she was complaining about her grade, but because she wanted to know how she could improve on her next assignment. Karen very often approached program instructors to continue dialogue about the topic being explored, to express more of her ideas and deepen her understanding and learning.
Métis Nation, British Columbia Award
Carol Hartman, Métis
Carol completed First Nations College Prep program (renamed Indigenous College Prep) in order to qualify for the Indigenous Family Support program. Carol began her journey as a mature student because of a lifelong desire to work with Aboriginal people. Her passion is to help those who are most vulnerable–the young and the elderly. She believes education is a critical step toward Aboriginal people becoming responsible members of their communities. Her motto is: Be proud to be an Aboriginal person. Be proud of who you are and hold your head high. It is our turn now. Carol is a member of the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria and lives in Sidney with her husband of 40 years. They have one daughter and a grand-daughter. Her Métis roots are strong, having been instilled by her sister and her late father. Her family originates from Winnipeg and her genealogy roots date back to the Hudson's Bay Company.
Melissa Nute, Métis
Melissa is a single mom, raising two young children and her little brother. She has overcome all odds to be a student at Camosun and is in the Business Administration program, year 2. She is extremely hard working and her excellent GPA is reflective of her dedication to her studies
In the Spirit of Laughter Award
Shyanne Peter, Tsartlip
Shyanne just finished the First Nations College Prep program (now called Indigenous College Prep) and is currently enrolled in the First Nations Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (renamed Indigenous Health Care Assistant) program, which is the beginning step toward her goal of becoming a nurse. In the long-term she wants to work with Saanich Elders and others who are in need of care and good spirit. Shyanne has a strong desire to work with her community and to be a strong and positive force for Aboriginal people.
Canadian Federation of University Women, Saanich Peninsula Award
Lorna Fraser, Kitasoo Xais Xais
Lorna is from the north coast of BC. She lives on Salt Spring Island, and after being a stay-at-home Mom for seven years, Lorna returned to school as a mature student, to broaden her knowledge and enhance personal skills so she could return to the workforce. She started with the First Nations Family Support (renamed Indigenous Family Support) program with a goal of becoming an education assistant. But after learning about herself and her heritage as a First Nations person, she decided to enroll in the First Nations Community Studies (renamed Indigenous Studies) program to learn more. Now as a graduate of that program, Lorna is in the process of transferring to Vancouver Island University to complete her teaching degree, hoping to major in Indigenous Studies and promote First Nations history within school curriculum.
University of Victoria Office of Indigenous Affairs Award
Lisa Ordell, Cree / Scottish Métis
Lisa just graduated from the First Nations Community Studies (renamed Indigenous Studies) program. She is transferring to UVic this fall to study English and Sociology with as much Indigenous emphasis as possible. Eventually, Lisa plans to achieve a doctorate in Sociology, write and teach, and open an academy of healing arts. Lisa has been an amazing, inspirational student during her time at Camosun and will be a real asset to the Indigenous student population at the University of Victoria.
View the video of the entire event
See the list of all Access and AECC recipients and view the photos
Camosun honours 19 Aboriginal students at awards dinner - March 2009
Surrounded by family and friends, 19 Aboriginal students at Camosun College received bursary awards at a special dinner hosted in their honour, Tuesday, March 10, 2009. About 80 people packed the cultural centre in support of the recipients, as staff and faculty from the Aboriginal Education & Community Connections department presented the awards. More...