WIKWEMIKONG—Honours and accolades come to those whose diligence and hard work define their high school years and success is bolstered by that recognition. Success comes, maybe not easily, but as keynote speaker Trisha Trudeau noted during her address, those awards can provide inspiration and encouragement during the long road to post secondary achievements.
The 18th annual Wikwemikong High School Christmas Gala, Dinner and Awards Banquet ‘Believe in Your Journey,’ took place on Friday, December 2, with Principal Mark Gibeault acting as master of ceremonies.
A welcome song, performed by the Wikwemikong High School Drum Group with teacher Chris Pheasant and students Geordan Lewis and Travis Assiniwe preceded the grace offered up by elder Patricia Manitowabi over the meal prepared by Patsy’s Catering.
Teacher Jillian Peltier provided opening remarks, noting that she couldn’t believe that this would be the 18th awards gala. “I am proud to be able to say that I have been at every one, and I believe Ms. Cheechoo can say that as well,” she said. Ms. Peltier went on to say that “pride and excellence” are the hallmarks of Wikwemikong High School’s history.
Guest speaker Ms. Trudeau was introduced by Ms. Peltier as an Ontario Scholar and Wikwemilkong High School alum who received her bachelor of arts degree in 2016. Ms. Trudeau now works for the Wikwemikong Health Centre in a capacity that “takes her all over Ontario.”
Ms. Trudeau spoke about the impact of going from being the top of her class to enter a world at the University of Guelph that included other students who had excelled at their own schools. She noted that although she had down times where she was assailed by doubts after her first year in post secondary, she would look over to the wall and see the awards and accolades that she had been presented with at the Wikwemikong High School.
“I wanted to be that person who won those awards,” she said. “I went back and everything began to fall into place. It was later that the impact of (of those awards) really came into play.”
“Everyone has different strengths,” she continued, going on to urge students to “push forward.
She told the students that they if they pushed forward they would succeed “not necessarily because of your grades,” she said, “but be proud of your awards and grades. Congratulations to all of you.”
Following Ms. Trudeau’s remarks the business of the evening got underway with the presentation of awards.
Candi Cheechoo presented the Intermediate Canada and the World Award, sponsored by John and Jennifer Capin, for students with the highest achievement in history or law courses to Reynold Assiniwe. Senior award winner Shaelynn Recollet was not present.
Ms. Cheechoo presented the Business Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, for the student with the highest achievement in a business course, to Trinity Jacko.
Ms. Cheechoo then presented the Hospitality Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a hospitality and tourism course, to Jason Mishibinijima.
Ms. Cheechoo also presented the Trades Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, presented to the student with the highest achievement in a trades related course to Dehmin Eshkawkogan-Recollet.
Ms. Cheechoo went on to present the Media Award, sponsored by Enaadmaagehjik, presented to the student with the highest achievement in a media related course to Reynold Assiniwe.
The Wikwemikong Heritage Organization Art Award was presented to: Junior Elijah Bell and Senior Shaylene Pangowish.
The First Nations Studies Award, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, presented to a student with the highest achievement in a First Nations studies course, to Jacqueline Odjig and Bernadette Pangowish.
The Anishinaabemowin Award, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, presented to the student who demonstrated achievement and fluency in a Native language course was presented to: Intermediate Dehmin Eshkawkogan-Recollet and Senior Seneca Manitowabi.
The Anishinaabemowin Post-Secondary Bursary, sponsored anonymously, was presented to Brigitte Neganegwane.
The Grade 9 Native Language Award, sponsored by Peggy and Bernie Brant, was presented to Ferris Eshkawkogan, the student with the highest achievement in a Grade 9 Native language course.
The BMO Science Awards, sponsored by the Bank of Montreal, was presented by teacher Chris Mara to the students with the highest achievement in a science course. This year’s recipients were: Grade 9, David Jackson; Grade 10, Whitney Trudeau; and Senior Annie Wemigwans.
The Mara University Science Award, presented to the student with the highest achievement in a university level science course, sponsored by Chris Mara and Margit Alberti, was presented by Mr. Mara to Annie Wemigwans.
The Lafarge University Math and Science Awards (both math and science editions) were presented to Annie Wemigwans by Lafarge representative Nick Holmes.
The Mathematics Scholar Awards, sponsored by the Wikwemikong Health Centre, were presented by Candi Cheechoo to students with the highest achievement in each grade level for mathematics. This year’s recipients were: Grade 9, Ferris Eshkawkogan; Grade 10, Hawk Bission-Recollet; Grade 11, Annie Wemigwans; and Grade 12, Reynold Assiniwe.
The Wikwemikong Board of Education English Scholar Awards were presented on behalf of the board by Maureen Aiabens to the students with the highest achievement in English courses. This year’s recipients were: Junior, Jason Mishibinijima; Intermediate, Eileen Letander-Trudeau and Patrina Pitawanakwat; and Senior, Annie Wemigwans.
The Manitoulin Expositor Award was presented by staff writer Michael Erskine to Alex Desmoulin, the student in the workplace pathway with the highest achievement in a workplace English course.
The Wabnode Award, sponsored by Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services, is presented to a parent who has supported the staff and students in various ways throughout the school year by Angel Peltier to Mona Oshkabewisens.
The Mnamaadzawin Physical Education Awards, sponsored by Mnamaadzawin Active Living Studio, was presented to the students with the highest achievement in healthy and active living courses for each level by Roxxanne Mandamin to: Grade 9 boys, Elijah Bell; Grade 10 girls, Tessa Ominka; Grade 10 boys, Noah Ominika and Colton Trudeau; and Senior, Tim Pitawanakwat.
The Life Skills Class Participations Award, sponsored the Wikwemikong Community Living Anishinabek, was presented to the student in a life skills class with the best participation throughout the year by Miranda Trudeau to Shaylene Pitawanakwat.
The Copoperative Education Award, sponsored by the Andrew Manitowabi Group and presented to a student with the highest achievement in the Co-operative Education Program, was presented to Dakota Wemigwans.
The Mackenzie Nodin Peltier Award, sponsored by Jillian and Lanny Peltier and family, was presented to a student who demonstrates resilience and perseverance by Jillian Peltier and her children to Bernadette Pangowish. Ms. Peltier explained that the award is in memoriam of her son Mackenzie who always remained cheerful and upbeat despite his illness. “He was sick, but you would never know that he was sick,” she said.
The Manitoulin Family Resources Award, presented to the Wikwemikong High School graduate who is pursuing a career in a helping field, was presented by Ms. Peltier to Adrian Trudeau.
Jillian Peltier presented the O’Leary Dance Award, sponsored by Valerie and Patrick O’Leary, to a student who has demonstrated leadership and perserverence in the Outside Looking In dance program, to Tye Jourdain.
Ms. Peltier presented the Manitowaning Guardian Pharmacy Award, sponsored by Manitowaning Guardian Pharmacy, to a Wikwemikong High School graduate who is enrolled in a health-related post-secondary program, to Eugenia Eshkawkogan.
Julie Balen presented the Wikwemikong High School Parents’ Council Attendance awards for the student in each grade with the best attendance throughout the year to: Grade 9, Caleb James Corbiere; Grade 10, Patrina Pitawanakwat; Grade 11, Adrayn Pangowish; and Grade 12 Raoul Mandamin.
The Wikwemikong Chief and Council Awards for Academic Excellence were presented to the students with the highest overall average in each grade. This year’s recipients were: Grade 8, Mary Pangowish; Grade 9, Jason Mishibinijima; Grade 10, Dehmin Eshkawkogan-Recollet (who was away representing the school in badminton); Grade 11, Annie Wemigwans; and Grade 12, Reynold Assiniwe.
Following the award presentations, an honour song was sung for the recipients before Mr. Gibeault thanked all those who had participated, the parents, sponsors and students who came out to help make the evening a great success.