An emotional day for many at North West College Southern Graduation ceremony in Battlefords

It was a day for academic success, and dreams for the future finally taking shape.

From the Battlefords, Fox completed the fulltime Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) program, preparing for a position in the health care field.

She plans to work for a bit and then apply to begin an RN or LPN program now that she has completed her CCA studies.

“I love working with people of all ages, especially the elders,” Fox said. “I love taking care of people; I have a big heart.”

She said she finds health care work “very rewarding,” while adding she has great respect for the profession.

Grad Kelsey Fox, right, celebrates with her family following the ceremony. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Fox‘s partner, three-year-old son Griffin and relatives were in the audience to see her graduate.

Fox wanted to thank her CCA instructor Donna Iverson for her help, saying: “I wouldn’t have ever been able to do it without her. She was awesome.”

Recipients included those graduating from post secondary programs as well as high school equivalency programs.

North West College President and CEO Jay Notay, left, presents a diploma to one of the graduates. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

North West College President and CEO Jay Notay was pleased to see so many grads of all ages being honoured.

New this year, the event was held at the Dekker Centre, which Notay said was a good venue for the ceremony.

“We wanted to make sure there was an opportunity for the students to invite as many of their friends and family,” he said. “It’s so important for them to be successful, and we didn’t want to restrict how many they brought.”

Notay said the college offers a wide variety of programs based on market demand. The college will be offering a psychiatric nursing program starting this fall.

Students completing any of the college’s programs often progress into the work force, or go on to continue their education.

“We are very strong advocates of lifelong learning,” Notay said. “This is not an end.”

Guest speaker Jim Miller, left, and Jay Notay (North West College president). (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

University of Saskatchewan Professor Emeritus of History Jim Miller was the guest speaker for the ceremony.

He spoke to the grads about the strong history of the Battlefords in the development of treaty rights, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous people learning to work together.

“This locale at northwest Saskatchewan has been at the centre of a series of important events in the history of relations between Indigenous people and other people,” Miller said.

He added this region has always been part of an important chapter of the “Canadian historical story.”

Miller said it was a judge from North Battleford who played an instrumental role in promoting better relations between the two.

At the start of the graduation ceremony, Falynn Baptiste of Red Peasant First Nation sang O Canada in a combination of English and Cree languages. She has been recognized internationally for singing her unique version of the national anthem.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

An emotional day for many at North West College Southern Graduation ceremony in Battlefords

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