By Bryan Eneas

First Nation graduation numbers steadily rising

Jun 30, 2016 | 7:00 PM

First Nation communities across Saskatchewan have seen a slight increase in Grade 12 grads over the last two years.

Graduation rates of First Nation students have been climbing across the province, according to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations. In 2013, the province had a 74.8 per cent graduation rate overall, with a 37.4 percent graduation rate for First Nation students.

This year, First Nation students have increased to a grad rate of 40.1 percent.

“(The) Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations executive is pleased and honoured to receive many graduation and convocation invitations for the upcoming graduation events,” stated a press release from the FSIN.

In the Prince Albert area, some local First Nation schools are seeing a reflection in those numbers.

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Sturgeon Lake First Nation has taken a different approach to education, introducing a block system in high school where students participate in two classes a day. The first block runs for a majority of the day, and the second block runs for the last hour of the school day. The long block changes every month, so the students still attain the required hours per course.

This year, there were 15 graduates from Sturgeon Lake, a number which has slowly doubled over the years since the block program was introduced 18 years ago. Prospects are hopeful for next year’s Grade 12 students, as approximately 38 Grade 11 students are looking to move on to their final year of high school according to Sturgeon Lake Central School Principal Delphine Naytowhow.

Sturgeon Lake has also introduced an awards program, based on a “triple A” rating according to Naytowhow.

“It’s based on Academics, Attendance, and Attitude in school… at the end of each block (period) once all the marks are calculated we usually have an awards day. We’ll have an assembly and have draws and students earn (cash) for their grades. For example, a student who scores high 90’s will earn $50,” Naytowhow said.

Sturgeon Lake is one of four First Nation schools participating with the Ministry of Education’s Following the Voices program. Naytowhow said the program is structured to instill a greater sense of pride in students who are First Nation.

“Their initiative is to change how people think of First Nations, and to have First Nations people be more proud of who they are… this year sturgeon got on board with that… that helps, too. It helps our teachers become more discursive rather than a traditional teacher. It also helps use a lot of different strategies, and it also builds relationships with their students,” she said.

James Smith Cree Nation will be holding its graduation ceremony today, with 11 students graduating. Numbers have held fairly consistent according to vice-principal Randy Constant.

Roughly the same number of students will be moving into Grade 12 next year and four of this year’s grads are moving on to post-secondary education, Constant said.

He attributes the consistent grad rates to the cultural programming available to Bernard Constant Community School students.

“We have programs and policies in place as well as our commitment to our students in place, so that the success rate in all of our students prosper and attain the skills they need to be informed citizens,” Constant said.

“It is vital for our youth to complete their education from early childhood education learning, to graduating high school to earning a post-secondary education degree to developing skills in a specialized trade. Education is key to building healthier people and communities.” FSIN Grand Chief Bobby Cameron said.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas