Seven Generations graduates more than 100 students

Although Jackie Cameron of Wabaseemoong First Nation had been working with kindergarten children for years, it was important for her to complete her education.
And so on June 13, after completing the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program, she received her Diploma in Education during the Seven Generations Education Institute’s graduation ceremony in Fort Frances.
“It’s hard to describe but I felt so relieved I made it up there,” Cameron said following the ceremony. “I can’t still believe I achieved this goal and continued to further my education.”
Cameron was among more than 100 secondary and post-secondary graduates who received a diploma, certificate or degree through Seven Generations.
Based out of Couchiching First Nation, Severn Generations is a First Nations-owned and operated post-secondary institution co-founded by 10 communities in the Rainy Lake Tribal area.
And while Severn Generations initially partnered with universities and colleges to offer degree, diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs, since 1991 it has also offered students the chance to achieve their high school diploma.
Darcelle Smith of Naicatchewenin First Nation said she fell in with the “wrong crowd” during her youth and did not finish high school.
But after having two daughters, ages two and four, Smith felt she needed to set an example for them.
“I want them to look up to me and tell them how important education is,” the 27-year-old said.
Smith said she felt “relieved, excited and happy” to achieve her Grade 12.
“I felt more accomplished and I felt relieved I was finally done,” she said.
Smith plans on moving on to post-secondary school to take business accounting, “because I’m good with numbers and I like math,” she said.
While Smith was motivated to be a role model for her daughters, Darlene Henry was inspired by her own two daughters that had already graduated.
Though Henry managed to find meaningful employment in the family and child services field, the 46-year-old knew it was important to complete her high school education.
“Nowadays, it’s a requirement to get a job,” she said.
Henry managed to juggle her full-time job and raising a family to complete her courses. She was her class’ valedictorian.
“I was numb at first,” she said when she realized she achieved her diploma. “And now the day is finally here, I got my Grade 12.”
Now Henry plans on attending college in Kenora alongside her 20-year-old daughter.
“I’m honoured for her to ask me, ‘I’ll go to school with you,’” she said with a laugh.
Jeremy Jordan of Couchiching First Nation received a certificate for completing the first year of the indigenous wellness and addictions prevention (IWAP) program.
“It was something I was always interested in,” the 22-year-old said. “Throughout my younger teenage years, my friends confided in me their problems. I never knew what to say, and I wanted to further my education and help people and that’s what IWAP’s about, social work.”
Jordan will work on treatment and support services in his community before returning to school to finish the last year of the program.
Afterwards, “I’m going to get my diploma but I don’t know what I’m going to do after that,” he said.
With her education diploma in hand, Cameron plans on going back to teach the kindergarten “kiddies.”
“If you want to achieve something, go for it and your dream will come true, like mine,” she said with a smile.