Internet high school grads inspiration for North

Poplar Hill’s Alice Suggashie is an inspiration for students of all ages throughout Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
“Alice is an example of perseverance and showing that it is never too late to complete your education and to pursue your goals,” said Darrin Potter, principal of Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS). “She has persevered, she has worked full time, and she has come in and worked through that high school requirement to get that diploma.”
Suggashie, who last attended elementary school in 1977, earned her Grade 9-12 Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits through KiHS’s online instruction.
“I went to school from seven to nine in the evenings,” said the home and community care coordinator and former community health representative. “It was very tiresome, but it was worth it. I had to drive myself to school when I was very tired and it was cold some times.”
Although Suggashie quit going to classes for a while, she started up again because she didn’t want to disappoint her mother.
“She was very happy when she saw me get my diploma,” Suggashie said. “That was a very wonderful feeling.”
Suggashie said the students supported each other and encouraged each other to continue with their courses.
“I really like the help that my teacher (Melissa Black) gave me too,” Suggashie said. “She really explained a lot of stuff to me and I wasn’t shy to ask about where I was stuck.”
Suggashie was Black’s first student at KiHS.
“We spent a lot of nights here,” Black said. “She had already put in long days at the nursing station, so I’m really glad to be able to give her diploma.”
Suggashie plans to continue taking some courses through KiHS in the future.
“With the optic cable line they brought in, it should be great this year,” Suggashie said. “I would like to see more students graduate next year.”
Suggashie graduated on June 7 along with eight other KiHS students, including Sachigo Lake’s Tyrell Kowtiash and Nebuchadnezzar Tait, Saugeen’s Melvin Jacko, Amanda Machimity and Pamela Machimity, Bearskin Lake’s Lauren McKay, Fort William’s Brian Ogima and Red Lake’s Vanessa Kendrick.
“I’ve been granted my need for an education ever since I was a child, but I believe no matter what age you are, everybody deserves recognition,” Kowtiash said. “In the future, I hope to see my fellow graduates accomplish great things. I hope to see the graduates continue their education with support from friends and family.”
In addition to celebrations in the KiHS communities, the graduation was also celebrated via videoconference and web streaming in the far-flung offices of many presenters.
Dobi-Dawn Frenette, Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s education manager, joined the graduation celebration from Toronto, noting the nine graduates now have a wider range of options available for their future.
“There are so many more doors that are open for you,” Frenette said. “Life isn’t just built upon dreams and visions; it’s built upon hard work, commitment and self knowledge, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes and taking responsibility for your actions.”
Frenette encouraged the students to be leaders, not followers and to look into their hearts to determine what they truly want from life and how to get there.
“Some of you may be the first graduate in your family,” Frenette said. “You are blazing the trail for the family to follow.”
KiHS also handed out Awards of Excellence to Saugeen’s Johnathan Bottle for Student of the Year and Highest Average in Eight Courses, Saugeen’s Kelly Machimity for Best Attendance and Fort Severn’s Sinclair Childforever for Most Community Involvement Hours.
Highest Marks in a Subject Area awards were presented to Bottle, Kowtiash, Ogima, Pamela Machimity, Kelly Machimity, Fort Severn’s Christa Koostachin and Josiah Whitehead, Saugeens’ Jolynn Bottle and Deer Lake’s Brendan Beardy.
Community Awards:
Keewaywin: Kelli Quill and Kyle Harper
Neskantaga: Alexander Moonias and Cheyanne Moonias
Fort Severn: Christa Koostachin and Mason Nayotchekeesic
North Spirit Lake: Joseph Kakekagumick and Destiny Meekis
Poplar Hill: Denise King and Bobbery Suggashie
Nibinamik: Thomas McKay and Janine Beaver
Saugeen: Kelly Machimity and Jolynn Bottle
Sachigo Lake: Tyrell Kowtiash and Chad Tait
North Caribou Lake: Therron Morriseau and Alexander Williams
Deer Lake: Brandon Rae
Bearskin Lake: Lauren McKay and Tara Wemigwans
Fort William: Brian Ogima
Mishkeegogamang: Melvin Strang