By Derek Cornet

Northerners receive Order of Gabriel Dumont bronze medal

Jun 18, 2021 | 1:09 PM

Two Métis residents of Northern Saskatchewan are recipients of the 2021 Order of Gabriel Dumont bronze medal.

Jolene Couillonneur of Cole Bay and Erin Dyck of Tweedsmuir, are two of eight recipients of the prestigious award. The bronze medal is bestowed upon students and alumni of the Gabriel Dumont Institute who have distinguished themselves through leadership, community involvement and overall performance.

“It was a surprise for me,” Couillonneur said. “I was very grateful and honoured that I was recognized as one of the recipients. I was just amazed.”

Couillonneur is a second-year student in the Northern Saskatchewan Indigenous Teachers Education Program in La Ronge. She has worked as an educational assistant in the past and she enjoys working with children because of her passion for learning. In a statement from GDI, Couillonneur is described as respectful and patient and a student who often sits with others who need help.

“She shows great interest in the program and her passion for the field of education is evident,” the statement notes. “Jolene’s attention to detail in her studies highlights her ability to think in-depth about the quality of education she will commit herself to once she earns her teaching degree.”

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Jolene Couillonneur is from Cole Bay. (Submitted photo/Jolene Couillonneur)

Couillonneur would one day like to work at a Lac La Ronge Indian Band School such as Senator Myles Venne School.

When Dyck found out she was a recipient of a bronze medal, she said it was a humbling experience. She has been an early childhood educator for about 20 years and she has always been interested in working in the schools. Dyck spent many years working as a daycare director.

“I’m just really thankful for being considered for an award like this,” she said. “It just means that much more to me that it’s my community who is celebrating my successes.”

Dyck is a second-year student in the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program in Prince Albert. She’s described as a someone with an exuberant personality that brings joy to everyone around her. Dyck exudes a contagious community spirit and leads with kindness and humility.

Erin Dyck is from Tweedsmuir, west of Christopher Lake. (Submitted photo/Erin Dyck)

“Life in not always easy for Erin as a full-time student, wife and mother to two beautiful daughters,” a statement notes. “She has persevered through her daughter’s health issues and worked hard to create a balance between home life and school life, all while continuing to make time to support her fellow students.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno