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Four grads celebrate at Hay River Reserve school

Paul Hergott

Four graduates of the Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the Hay River Reserve were celebrated on May 31.

And while graduating was a big accomplishment for the four young women, it was also a notable event for the school itself, as the last graduation at Chief Sunrise was in 2011.

"I started here in the 2010-2011 school year and there was a graduate, and now it's 2019 and we've got four," said principal Shawna Coleman, recalling her first year as a teacher at the school.

"I'm thrilled," she told The Hub after the graduation. "Three of the

girls were in my first class here when I started. So to see them come this far is amazing. I'm so proud of them."

Coleman added it is also believed that four graduates is a record number for the school.

The principal said it is hard to say why Chief Sunrise Education Centre has not had a graduate since 2011.

The 2019 graduating class at Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the Hay River Reserve consisted of, left to right, Dawn Nessel, Shawna Sabourin, Trinity Cayen and Selena Bugghins.
Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Part of the reason may be that some students start school at Chief Sunrise and then attend high school in Hay River.

Coleman hopes that this year's graduating class may be a sign of things to come for Chief Sunrise Education Centre, noting that all students at the school – even those in Junior Kindergarten – were brought to the graduation ceremonies at the Chief Lamalice Complex.

"So that they can be motivated to make that walk across the stage," she said.

Curtis Brown, superintendent of the South Slave Divisional Education Council in Fort Smith, was on hand for the graduation.

"I am so pleased for these graduates, and for the school and the K'atlodeeche First Nation," Brown said. "The graduation ceremony was perfect and significant because it unveiled four more community leaders and positive role models for our younger ones."

The graduating class of 2019 consisted of Dawn Nessel, Shawna Sabourin, Trinity Cayen and Selena Bugghins.

The grads were congratulated by a number of speakers, including Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli and Chief April Martel of K'atlodeeche First Nation.

Martel had a personal interest in the proceedings because her daughter Trinity Cayen was one of the graduates.

"I'm so proud of you girls," said the chief to all the graduates. "You've come a long way."