Oshki student completes course, delivers baby

Pic River’s Michelle Morriseau-Moses brought her newborn baby daughter to her Oct. 14 graduation ceremony at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute in Thunder Bay.
The Native Early Child Education valedictorian gave birth shortly after completing the five-semester program, which provides students with the knowledge and skills to organize and maintain a safe, stimulating learning environment for young children.
“It was really challenging, but the staff were very accommodating,” Morriseau-Moses said. “Everybody was worried about me making it through. My due date was actually the last day of class, so I managed to make it.”
Morriseau-Moses appreciated the opportunity to study from her home community for most of the program, with only a couple two-week on-campus sessions each semester.
“It was hard, but we had to figure out ways to make time for our studies,” Morriseau-Moses said. “We made it, through e-learning, which is classes online in the evening.”
Morriseau-Moses is planning to find work back in her home community once she completes maternity leave.
Doreen Pichette, who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) from the Social Service Worker – Native Specialization program, was awarded the Governing Council Award of Excellence.
Six of the seven Social Service Worker – Native Specialization graduates earned honour designations for their high GPAs.
“I’ve been out of high school for about 30 years and I saw this as an opportunity to fulfill something I had wanted to do after I finished high school,” said Jack Solomon, valedictorian for the Social Service Worker program. “I’m hoping I can use the skills and knowledge I learned in my job and working for the Aboriginal population of Cochrane.”
Currently the executive director at the Ininew Friendship Centre in Cochrane, Solomon has been working for the organization for about 28 years.
“Some of these skills and the theory I learned is going to help when people do come through the friendship centre with various issues they have,” he said.
Solomon also appreciated Oshki’s method of education delivery, noting that students were able to do placements in their own community.
“I could continue to work and go to school at the same time,” Solomon said. “We know what our schedule is going to be, what courses we are going to take, so we can do some preparation for it.”
Brenda Small, dean of Negahneewin College of Academic and Community Development, delivered the keynote address.
2011 Graduates
Native Early Childhood Education:
Virginia Courchene of Pic River, Christa Hunter of White Dog, Caroline Kakepetum from Sandy Lake, April Kelly from Nestor Falls, Suzanne McComb from Moosonee, Tammy Michano and Bonnie Sachaney, both from Matheson, and Sylvia Wesley from Cat Lake.
Social Service Worker, Native Specialization:
Lana Echum from Ginoogaming, Darlene Maki from Fort William, Ellen Moskotaywenene from Bearskin Lake, Doreen Pichette and Jack Solomon, both from Cochrane, and Bella Wigwas and Irene Yesno-Kermack, both from Thunder Bay.
General Education Development:
Cory Day, Alana Mishenene, Patti-Anne Morriseau and Cherry Moskotaywenene.