Anishinabek grads include first ‘spirit award’ winners
By Marci Becking
NIPISSING FN – The first Elaine R. Kelly Spirit Awards were given out at the Anishinabek Educational Institute’s convocation on August 24.
The four awards went to Native Community Worker and FASD certificate grad, Lance Panamick, Ziibaahaasing First Nation, Early Childhood Education grad Lily Tabobondung, Wasauksing First Nation, Business grad Christiana Nakogee, Fort Albany First Nation and Practical Nursing grad Jamie Organ from Sudbury.
The Elaine R. Kelly Spirit Award program was created after the sudden passing of the AEI instructor in May. The awards were presented by her daughter Marion Kelly to deserving students who exemplify the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
This year’s convocation, with participation from accreditation partners St. Clair College, Canadore College and Sault College, saw 48 graduates – 18 of them from the first-ever accredited post-secondary Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program in Ontario. AEI is preparing for a second intake for the program in November.
Union of Ontario Indians FASD coordinator Laurie McLeod-Shabogesic says that graduates from this program will enable frontline workers to develop seamless and effective health care programs to meet the complex needs of individuals and families struggling with this complex, lifelong disability.
“Our goal is to provide training that will help communities learn how to plan for the care of individuals with FASD and to recognize the impacts that the developmental trajectory of this disability has on families, communities and our nations,” says McLeod-Shabogesic.
Murray Maracle, AEI’s director, says that AEI provides a comfortable, supportive learning environment that promotes the traditional values of sharing, caring and respect.
Other Nipissing Campus graduates were enrolled in the following programs: Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, FASD, First Nation Child Welfare Advocate, Native Community Worker: Traditional Aboriginal Healing Methods, Practical Nursing and Pre-Health Science.
AEI has a second campus in Munsee-Delaware First Nation near London, Ontario. Visit www.aeipostsecondary.ca to register for fall and spring classes.