Seventh Fire succeeds
By Sharon Weatherall
MIDLAND – Alternate schools like the Seventh Fire program operated at Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre help Aboriginal learners succeed where public schools sometimes fail.
Three Beausoleil First Nation citizens — Joshua Assance, Anna King and Mariah Sandy-Monague — were among six graduates from the 2013 Seventh Fire program. Taylor Brown, Wilfred Lepage and Nicole Williams also received their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas at a special recognition night.
Seventh Fire is dedicated to assisting students who have experienced difficulty in a structured high school environment. The program is geared for First Nation, Metis and Inuit students –status or self-identified — aged 15 – 19 who transfer from local high schools and develop a personalized academic plan. The Seventh Fire program follows the Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather Teachings and philosophy and is accredited through Midland Secondary School.
In his Valedictorian Address Joshua Assance thanked teachers and peers, sharing a personal thought about each fellow student in the Seventh Fire program and wishing them well in future endeavours.
“I highly recommend this school to other students and parents,” said Joshua Assance in his valedictory address in which he praised Seventh Fire’s camaraderie and focus on First Nation tradition, culture and cooking. Assance, a citizen of Beausoleil First Nation, also received the Seven Grandfather Award for Truth.
A special new award –The Andrew Mixemong Mishomis (Ojibway for Grandfather) Award — was presented to graduate Wilfred Lepage. The award is in memory of Andrew “Fud” Mixemong, a former president of the Georgian Bay Friendship Centre, who died last summer trying to assist his wife when two men attacked her at a Midland restaurant. Siblings Marilyn and Wayne Mixemong made the presentation.
“It meant a lot to Fud for students to continue working on their education,” said brother Wayne. “He liked to see young people go ahead and have some goals in their life. It is a real honour for our brother to be recognized in this way – he was a man of two hearts.”
Other award recipients included: Outstanding Achievement – Amanda Lacoste; Outstanding Artistic Talent — Taylor Williams; Excellence in Independence – Larissa Moreau, Chloe Pilon; Most Improved Student – Brandon Copegog, Nicole Williams; Effort and Achievement — Kayla Gonsalves, Katie Monague, Cassie Roote, Kayla Sandy, Caroline Vainer. Seven Grandfather Awards: Wisdom – Anna King; Love — Samantha Collin; Respect – Shane Monague; Bravery – Daniel Lepage; Honesty – Taylor Brown