Sioux Valley celebrates success of mature students

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This article was published 15/06/2019 (2513 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIOUX VALLEY — Celebrating the success of their latest mature graduates, the halls of the Wichozani Centre were transformed with balloons, banners and confetti.

The pride in their grads was evident as the community cheered for the students and an honour song was played by the Tatiyopa Maza Wayawa Tipi drum group.

However, this year’s graduation was bittersweet as it had only two students — valedictorian Joseph Blacksmith, 23, and Dustin Smoke, 39. Their graduation ceremony was held Friday at the Wichozani Centre in Sioux Valley.

It was the smallest graduating class since the program started.

The mature Grade 12 student classes ran from September until June.

The year began with 10 students — all but two dropped out by Christmas.

Blacksmith and Smoke became fast friends and supported each other on the road to graduation, although they could not be more different mature students, instructor Viola Fleury said.

Blacksmith is stoic, quiet and contemplative, while Smoke is a stark contrast — incredibly extroverted with an infectious smile.

The two served to inspire each other to complete the year and earn their diplomas.

The smiles on their faces as they received their diplomas was contagious.

Smoke is unsure what the future holds, and Blacksmith has applied to an IT computer program at Assiniboine Community College.

Smoke always wanted to go back to school and felt fortunate to be accepted into the program.

Having access to the school while in Sioux Valley was pivotal, Smoke said. He originally planned on commuting back and forth from Brandon, but this would have proved difficult because he has three kids and a full-time job.

Even with the school in Sioux Valley, at times it proved a difficult balance, and more than once he almost quit because of the stress.

“I would get home, and I would be just exhausted, but I had my support system and that helped,” Smoke said. “It was kind of hard at times.”

Many students face similar obstacles, and part of aiding in the graduation of Indigenous people is having support, coupled with an understanding and respect of culture, Fleury said.

Supporting education in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has been of the utmost importance to Chief Jennifer Bone since she first became a council member in 2010.

It was important for leadership in the community to help people want to achieve higher education, Bone said, and part of this initiative was offering that much-needed support.

As part of this goal, Sioux Valley partnered with Yellowquill College in 2013 to bring a mature student Grade 12 course to the community, Bone said. Their graduation has become an annual event in the community.

The program has had more than 40 graduates since then, she said, with students ranging in age from 19 to in their late 40s.

“We recognized that the community members here have some challenges or barriers to getting their mature Grade 12 diploma,” Bone said. “It’s a good opportunity for community members — We’ll educate our own people, we saw a need for that.”

These barriers could include travel, family obligations and work, among other things.

Many of the students have grown up not believing that obtaining a high school diploma or post-secondary education is a possibility, largely due to these daily hurdles they encounter, Fleury said.

Smoke worked full time, starting school each day at 9 a.m., then leaving for work at 3:30 p.m. and working until 11 p.m.— yet each morning he would be in class with a smile on his face.

“I just think that’s amazing,” Fleury said.

By having the school in the community, the education is more easily accessible, one can see first-hand that a high school diploma is achievable while limiting the culture shock and racism one may encounter outside Sioux Valley, Fleury said.

She has fostered a safe space where students can feel comfortable learning and have the support of the community.

“I love it, we don’t just do Grade 12 here; we incorporate employability skill and life skills,” Fleury said.

She hopes that everyone who graduates goes on to get a job or post-secondary education.

“Education is the new buffalo,” she said. “The more educated you are, the more doors open, the more opportunities you can take advantage of.”

Another important aspect of having classes in Sioux Valley is that the educational space is more easily available, and daycare is available for those with children.

Given the success of the mature Grade 12 students, an impetus is now being placed on encouraging students to pursue post-secondary education, Fleury said.

The program will be transformed into a post-secondary-based course next semester.

Sioux Valley has partnered with Yellowquill College and will offer a business course in the fall. They are also looking at bringing in a health-care aid course through Assiniboine Community College into the valley.

“We’re trying to help get our people employed, or education or any training opportunities,” Bone said.

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

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