JULY 2020 | VOLUME 25 | NUMBER 7 eaglefeathernewseaglefeathernews Newspapers will not transmit the Coronavirus CPMA #40027204 2020 Grad Photo Contest AnnakahWinner Ratt is the winner of the EFN 2020 Grad photo contest. From Prince Albert, the graduate begins the SUNTEP program at the U of S in the fall. Photo submitted by Annakah Ratt By Jeanelle Mandes Ratt, who will be entering the SUNTEP program at of Eagle Feather News the University of Saskatchewan in the fall. “I liked the teachers I had in the past who inspired me and It’s our favourite time of the year again where showed me what teaching really holds. My mom we proudly feature some of the province’s Indige- was a teacher so she definitely was a big inspira- nous graduates in our annual grad photo contest. It’s tion.” always a challenge to pick our winners but through When Ratt first heard that she won first place in all the submissions, we choose our top three contes- the Eagle Feather News grad photo contest, it was tants. Here are their stories. something that she didn’t expect. Annakah Ratt from Prince Albert won first place “It was so amazing. I was so surprised when my in the grad photo contest. Ratt is a prominent la- mom texted me that I won [first place],” she said. crosse player who used the sport to help overcome “I was ecstatic and I actually feel quite honoured her shyness in high school. She graduated from the because it was a special picture with me [holding] École St. Mary High School and celebrated on June my lacrosse stick. It’s a big part of my life.” Ratt has 29 with family. Ratt will miss seeing her friends in been playing lacrosse for the past five years. Ratt school but mostly she will miss her teachers. has been playing lacrosse for the past five years. “I just loved all the teachers I had especially my She competed in the North American Indigenous English teacher who taught me a lot of things,” said Games (NAIG) in the past... continued page 10 A Story of Perseverance “ I managed to not only get through that but graduated with great distinction and 95 per cent attendance as well.” - Lynda Ahenakew - page 6 Culture, Pride, Hard Work Grassroots Connection “I’ve learned to work hard. You will always have “I came to FNUC on an athletic scholarship in July 2020 is our challenges in life. I had encouragement from my wrestling ... Five years later I’m done my biology parents, siblings and teachers. I’ve always want- degree and start medical school in two weeks.” GRADUATION ISSUE ed to graduate.” - Morningsong Benson - Waylon DeCoteau NEXT ISSUE IN SEPTEMBER - page 9 - page 14 WHAT’S NEW IN EDUCATION EAGLE FEATHER NEWS JULY 2020 2 Oskayak valedictorian encourages perseverance By NC Raine or obstacles, we are still able to overcome them. “I don’t like to focus on the bad stuff going on. for Eagle Feather News No matter what people say or try to get us down, I like to stay positive. Life is too short to focus on we are still able to achieve what we wanted to that stuff anyways.” Formally speaking, a valedictorian is often the achieve.” student with the highest ranking among their grad- This spirit of community and enthu- uating class. But in its more colloquial application, siasm was recognized by the school staff the valedictorian is commonly chosen by his or her too. Guidance councillor David O’Soup peers as the student who has accumulated high- said Gamble’s kindness made him a perfect est social credit – not popularity, necessarily – but choice to represent his class. goodwill amongst their peers. “He’s just a really good kid,” said Based on that understanding of valedictorian- O’Soup. ism, Dante Gamble, the 2020 valedictorian from “He represents the students well. He’s Oskayak High School in Saskatoon, may be the at the forefront of a lot of school activities. most valedictorian valedictorian of them all. Naturally, as an actor, he’s bold and cou- “I think my classmates chose me because I was rageous. He’d often be front and centre of friendly to everyone. I tried my best not to make any sort of school gathering, and always any enemies. I want to be a person on neutral presented himself well.” ground with every circle,” said Gamble. O’Soup said that students now are of- Gamble, 21, from Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree ten growing up quiet and afraid to share Nation, said how overwhelmed he was, not only their voices. to graduate, but to represent his class as valedic- “Dante is not one of those kids. He’s a torian. The path to get there wasn’t without its ob- natural leader, and not afraid to make his stacles, he said. Gamble took a few extra years opinion known.” to graduate, struggling with one of his biological Now that Gamble has put a feather in parents who regularly discouraged him, as well as the cap of his high school career, he’s ten- some weight issues. tatively thinking about pursuing acting. He As such, Gamble’s valedictorian address, has done voice acting work, performed in a which was recorded in the Oskayak gymnasium short film, and acted in several stage plays and sent out remotely to his classmates, centred on and musicals. perseverance. “I got into acting because I really like “I spoke about not giving up and never forget- seeing people smile. I like being a part of Dante Gamble, valedictorian of the Oskayak High School ting where we all came from. No matter the odds that joy,” he said. 2020 graduating class. Photos courtesy of Dante Gamble. You’ve graduated, congrats! Build your resume and earn money by working the October provincial election. Apply online today at www.elections.sk.ca/takepart Voting safely is our priority. JULY 2020 EAGLE FEATHER NEWS 3 No challenge too great to stop Kkaikka from achieving education goal By Michelle Lerat ty of Saskatchewan. of Eagle Feather News But in second year, NORTEP was closed and Kkaik- ka had to relocate to continue her degree. She was ac- Cynthia Kkaikka is graduating from her teaching cepted to Cumberland College in Melfort but was only degree with distinction and wishes to add more Indige- able to take electives because they didn’t offer second nous content to school curriculums. year Education classes. When Northlands College in La Kkaikka, from Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, moved Ronge resumed the Education degree progam affiliated to La Ronge when she was 10. She recently graduated with the U of S, she returned to La Ronge. The disrup- from Northlands College there. tion caused by the NORTEP closure resulted in Kkaikka Kkaikka dropped out of high school in grade 11 having to take extra classes every semester after that to when she was 16 because of being bullied for her Dene graduate on time. culture in the mainly Cree community. There was not a A month before her third year began, her aunt, who lot of knowledge about Dene culture and as a result of was like a sister, to her died from breast cancer. Kkaikka the bullying she began to internalize racism. and her family cared for her aunt in her final months. It She became pregnant at 17 and when her son was was difficult to return to school that year but she carried born, she realized the importance of education. The on. She became pregnant that year. Friends and family Cynthia Kkaikka, of Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, first year of being a mom was difficult. Kkaikka and her doubted she would continue with school, but one week graduates with a Bachelor of Education degree mother lived with various family members and while after her son Carson was born, she arranged for family with distinction from Northlands College in La she was grateful for the help, she dreamed of raising her to care for him while she returned to her pre-practicum. Ronge. Photo submitted by Cynthia Kkaikka. son on her own. Kkaikka is a fluent in Dene and is passionate about to Indigenize education and teach young students about She and her mother eventually got their own home teaching, preserving, and promoting the language and traditional Indigenous cultures.” and she went back to high school at age 19. culture. When she is home, she and her mom speak Kkaikka maintained an 84 percent average during She was nervous to go back to the same high school, mostly Dene so her sons can learn it. all four years of university and won many awards. She but her new, younger peers were more open-minded She created the Dene Language and Culture Club was the last recipient of the Duncan Bird Memorial and respectful of other cultures and it was a positive at Pre-Cam Community School in La Ronge, where she Scholarship from NORTEP before the program closed. experience. Going back opened up a lot of doors for taught grade six for her extended practicum. In the club She earned an Indspire Scholarship, the Prince Albert her and she now holds education close to her heart. she taught Dene culture and language. She was sur- Grand Council Women’s Commission Scholarship, the She earned many awards in high school including the prised at how quickly they could use the different Dene Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Graduate of the Year from Churchill Community High sounds and pronunciations. Union Aboriginal Scholarship, and the Northlands Col- School.