Parents among graduates at DFC

Two parents were among the graduates at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School (DFC) this year.
“It was a full schedule,” said Jordie Kakegamic, the father of a five-month-old daughter and a fifteen-month-old son from Keewaywin. “It was hard, but it was worth it in the end.”
Kakegamic, who has an uncle working with Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, is planning to study police foundations at Confederation College.
Wapekeka’s Chelsea Goodman, a single mother, received help from her mother and staff at DFC throughout the school year as she pursued her education.
“It was difficult, but it made me realize more that I needed an education because I’m the one that has to provide my home for my son,” Goodman said.
Goodman lost her father, Ignace Goodman, during the school year.
“I graduated for my dad – it was his aim for me to graduate,” Goodman said. “I lost him during the school year but I kept on pushing myself.”
Goodman plans to study Aboriginal law at Confederation College with the goal of eventually helping ensure her son and other First Nations youth have a good education and a good future.
Goodman said the recent discovery of Jordan Wabasse’s body in the Kaministiquia River was difficult for the students at DFC.
“It’s hard for us to realize that one of us can go missing like that,” Goodman said.
The 2011 DFC graduation ceremony was held May 11 in Thunder Bay, with opening remarks by Northern Nishnawbe Education Council executive director Jennifer Manitowabi and Elder Abe Kakepetum and a performance and presentation by Shibastik, a Moose Cree painter and hip hop musician.
Goodman received the $750 City of Thunder Bay Entrance Scholarship while Sandy Lake’s St. John Kakekagumick received the $750 City of Thunder Bay Entrance Award.
Cat Lake’s Naomi Wesley received the $500 Ruth Ann Beardy Memorial Award; Deer Lake’s Mayveline Quill received the $150 Knights of Kaleva Award; Wunnumin Lake’s Storm Keewasin-Edwards received the Fort William Rotary Club Award; Sandy Lake’s Chanelle Keno received the $100 Italian Foundation Bursary; Sachigo Lake’s Esther Barkman received the $100 Da Vinci Centre Award; Sachigo Lake’s Darlene Barkman received the $100 Elder Tait Award; and Kingfisher Lake’s Beatrice Mamakwa received the $100 Knights of Kaleva Award and the $100 Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre Award.
Community awards were also presented to the graduates.
“I just encourage those graduates to follow their dreams,” Manitowabi said.
Kakekagumick is aiming to follow his dream for a career in graphic design.
“I’m attending Humber College next September,” said the class valedictorian. “I’m intending to take the graphic design program; later maybe I’ll upgrade it into a degree in design.”
Kakekagumick first got involved in design in Grade 8 and later discovered graphic design when he was in Grade 10.
“I’m able to use my skills in art and design and put them into use for people to use,” Kakekagumick said.
Kakekagumick feels the experiences he had while attending DFC will help him when he attends Humber College in Toronto.
“Even though I’ve finished high school, it doesn’t feel over,” Kakekagumick said. “It just feels like I’m starting something new.”