By Bryan Eneas

Montreal Lake honours new citizen

Jun 26, 2016 | 9:29 AM

Very few people have become honorary citizens of a First Nation reserve, and for the first time for Montreal Lake Cree Nation, someone just did.

Ralph Starks, who lives in Prince Albert has made the commute to Montreal Lake to teach at the Senator Allen Bird Memorial School for the last 27 years.

On Friday June 24, Starks made one of his last journeys to the community as a teacher, to celebrate his career with the community who had welcomed and accepted him from day one. It turns out they were so accepting, they didn’t want to let him go.

Starks became the first ever non-First Nations person to become a member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation.

“Honestly, I don’t even know what to make of it yet, it needs some time to sink in still,” Starks said after he was presented the honour from Chief and council.

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 “I do think of it as a really great honor… I thought I was leaving, but it doesn’t look like it exactly,” he said.

After working with the youth for so long, over half of the gym where he was honoured raised their hand when asked how many he had taught were present. Former students told humorous anecdotes and reflected on how they were impacted by Stark’s teachings. For many, he was one of the few teachers who believed in them as students.

“I never was the best student, but I want to thank Ralph for never giving up on me,” one of Montreal Lake Cree Nation’s councillors said. “Out of all the teachers I had over the years, Ralph is the one who still sticks out to me because he had such a positive influence on me.” 

Starks has travelled all over the province as a teacher, but once he got to Montreal Lake he was there until the end. According to Starks, Montreal Lake was there for him when he really needed a job, and they were always good to him.

Starks doesn’t have too many grand plans for retirement. He said he’s going to take some time for his own family, some of whom reside in Whitehorse.

“I really don’t have anything but good things to say about the community of Montreal Lake. I think that the communities need good teachers. I would encourage anyone who feels like they might want to (teach) to actually give it a try,” Starks said.

Bryan.eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter, @BryanEneas