Page 10 - Ha-Shilth-Sa - June 30, 2011
Confidence, self-esteem comes with graduation Continued from page 3. Many graduates took the opportunity to thank the staff of the Vast Centre for nudging them along; for putting in wake-up calls to encourage them to get to their classes; for not allowing them to quit when things just got too hard. Herbert Mountain got quite a laugh when he thanked the Vast staff, his family “and pretty much Google” during his remarks. Kerri Janzen said she just about quit the classes, but she had special motivation. For 17 years her brother had the only grad picture on their parents’ wall at home. “That’s about to change,” she said. Estelle Fraser thanked her children for putting up with a lot while she pursued graduation, specifically for when she retreated to her bedroom to do homework on her bed. Jolene Joe of Ditidaht thanked the Creator for the special blessing, her mom and dad and the teachers that “traveled our awful road two times a week” to bring the courses to her remote community. Vast and Choices have partner sites at Ditidaht, Tseshaht, Hot Springs Cove, Tin Wis at Tofino, Esowista and Opitsaht. Casey Little, who shook with the emo-
tion of the evening as she spoke, thanked Hummingburde daycare for its support. She said she wouldn’t have been able to attend classes without the knowledge that her son was safe and happy and having fun. Kim Nookeus said that when she handed in her last assignment that it occurred to her that she had achieved a very important personal goal. Jaycee Thomas had a message for her grandchildren: “It was hard going back to school,” she admitted. But graduation made it all worthwhile. “If grandma can do it, you can do it.” The alternative programs of School District 70 are unique and highly regarded, said McEvay. There were 48 graduates ranging in age from 18 to 50-plus in attendance at the ceremony, but the pro-
gram contributed in some way to the graduation of more than 130 students in the district this year. Cliff Atleo Sr., president of the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council, spoke in the Nuu-chah-nulth language and thanked all the friends and family who attended the ceremony to support the students. He said he was quite honored to be a part of the evening. He acknowledged the obstacles and barriers that the students had been challenged with over the course of their education. He said that their graduation is a lesson that proves there is always a way to work things out to get to where you want to go in life. McEvay said to the students that graduation alone would not create a good life, but he hoped it would provide pro-
vide the confidence and self-esteem to set high goals and overcome inevitable obstacles that come will come in life. “You have all found ways round, over or through many barriers to get this far. It is that process or that journey that is as important, if not more important, than any piece of paper.” He said, however, that piece of paper, the graduation diploma, is a symbol of every step along the way, every dropof sweat, every challenge met and every goal accomplished. “That piece of paper is a reminder to you of what you are capable of when you decide something is important.” The last graduate to cross the stage was Nicole Watts. There was only one thing left to do, by her estimation. “I guess it’s time to party,” she laughed.
C o m m u n i t y&B e y o n d Memorial Potlatch for Michael Tom
July 1 and 2 Port Alberni
The House of Mohatuqtli-aht would like to invite you to a two-day memorial potlatch for Michael Tom. Michael was a humble man who enjoyed sharing his daily catch; as many of us remember. When he went fishing, he shared his catch with everyone and tried so hard not to leave anyone out. Michael also stated when this time came, he did not want us to refer to him as Ha’wiih or Chief Mike Tom because he said, "I don't want people to call me Ha’wiih Mike Tom, because everyone knows who I am." And because we all love him so much, we are respecting his last wishes. July 1 and 2, 2011 in Port Alberni at the new Athletic Hall, 10 am start on both days. Join us in sharing songs, dances and seafood meals as Michael so enjoyed good company and sharing a good meal. We would be so honored for you to join us in remembering our father, our uncle, our brother, our grandfather, and a supportive husband.For more information, please contact Nathan Tom 250 670 1127, Jessie Jim 250 3839755 or Sheila Tom 250 6701117. Pacific Rim Summer Festival
July 1 to 10 Ucluelet
Our World Right Now. The Pacific Rim Arts Society presents the 23rd annual festival of music, dance and visual arts. Battle of the Bands call for entries. West Coast Original Music Acts. July 2: Preliminaries at UCCRecorded Live. July 9: Winners will open for Speed Control at UCC. First prize-3 song EP, value of $2,500. Second prize-1 song single, value of $1,000. Recorded Mixed and Mastered
at High Tide Records. Send demo, Solo or Group Bio. $30 registration fee, email and phone numbers to PRAS Battle of the Bands. PO Box 836, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0 mmmmm@telus.net 250-7262313. Details posted soon on PRAS Summer Festival page 222.pacificrimarts.ca
Sponsored by: Healing Our Spirit (HOS), HOS APHA Advisory Committee and Four Feathers Society. For information about registration, accomodations, and travel contact Winston Thompson or Patrick Baptiste: 604-879-8884, 1-866745-8884. email: info@healingourspirit.org, www.healingourspirit.org NTC Golf Tournament
Tlu-piich Committee Meeting
July 5
Port Alberni This is the first meeting of the Tlu-piich organizing committee, it will take place in the NTC boardroom begining at 9 am. Everyone is welcome. Call Richard Samuel at 250.724.5757 for more information 35th Annual BC Elders’ Gathering
July 12 to 14 Abbotsford
Location: The Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre or Tradex, 1190 Cornel Street, Abbotsford. Hosts: Sto:lo and Coast Salish ?iih?atis/?iinaxint Band meeting
July 16 Zeballos
A band meeting for ?iih?atis/?iinaxint (Ehattesaht) will be held at the Zeballos Hall from 9 am to 5 pm. International Two-Spirit Gathering
July 27 to 30
Gambier Island, BC Registration fee is $100 CDN, all inclusive. Drug & Alcohol Free event. Aboriginal/Native American gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender people, their partners, friends, families are invited to gather in the land of the Coast Salish People.
Aug. 2
Port Alberni Contact Richard Samuel for details about this fundraiser for the Tlu-piich Games. Silent Auction and dinner after golf. 250724-5757 Nuu-chah-nulth Tlu-piich Games
Aug. 3 to 7 Port Alberni
Contact Richard Samuel for details about this year’s Tlu-piich Games. 250-7245757.
Memorial Potlatch
Nov. 19
Campbell River You are invited to a memorial potlatch for Leo Anthony Jack (January 29, 1940 – August 13, 2007). To be held at Quinsam Hall, 761 Nursery Road starting at 10 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact Margaret Jack 250-286-9926 or Leo Jack 250-3325301 Sewing Circle
Each Monday Evening Port Alberni Seeds hosts a sewing circle every Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Seeds building 5001 Mission Rd.
Adult Graduation
Ongoing Port Alberni
Seeds has ongoing registration for adults who want to graduate. For more infomation call Sheena at 778-4212450. Alberni Athletic Badminton
Mon. and Thurs. Port Alberni
Adult Drop-in from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Alberni Athletic Hall. Everyone welcome. For Info please call Marg 723 8990. Located 6 km West of Port Alberni at 7666 Pacific Rim Highway. Just look for the Big Pumpkin. Farmer Bill’s Sunday Market
Sundays Port Alberni
Join us at Farmer Bill's Country Market every Sunday through to Oct. 31st for Farmer Bill’s Sunday Market. The Sunday Market will feature a wide range of high quality products, including locally grown and produced fruits, veggies, meat, poultry, eggs, specialty foods, herbs, flowers, and plants. Also included are arts and crafts, wildlife photography, featuring the Black Bears of the Alberni Inlet, and homemade baked goods. VI Fries will also be on site. We are located 6 km West of Port Alberni at 7666 Pacific Rim Highway. Just look for the Big Pumpkin. The Market will start at 10 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. We still have a few spots for vendors, so if you Grow it, Make it, Bake it, then Sell it! Contact Kasha at 250-724-3775 or squishys@shaw.ca.