By CKPGToday

Hundreds Celebrate At CNC Convocation Ceremony

Jun 4, 2018 | 10:58 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – Almost 300 students graduated from the College of New Caledonia over the weekend.  The school’s convocation ceremony was staged Saturday at CN Centre. 

The Mary John Award of Excellence was presented to Heather Holland.  The award recognizes an Aboriginal student who strives to follow the legacy of Mary John through service to the community.  Mary John was a highly respected elder who was born in Lheidli in 1913.  She became known for her attention to traditional practices and principals and was considered a visionary for a better future.
 
Holland is a member of the Gitumden Clan and Wet’suweten/Carrier of Witset Nation.  She completed CNC’s Social Work program with a First Nation specialization.  She says the experience has been educational and at the same time healing. “This program has enhanced my ability to use my personal struggles and life experiences within my work for future mentorship and much-needed change within our nation and future generations.”  She added “our youth are an important key to leadership. I am a proud and strong Wet’suwet’en Carrier women and mother, with resilience and strength to continue bringing focus to First Nations issues through empowerment and humbleness.”

“Graduation is a time to celebrate student success with family, friends and fellow classmates,” said CNC President Henry Reiser.  “These students have worked hard to finish their courses, and we are proud to see them cross the stage and graduate.”
 
Thirty-four students in Quesnel celebrated their graduation with a convocation ceremony May 29th.