The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre will host the inaugural Celebrating Success event on Sunday (June 21) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Bowen Park.
Join us on Sunday June 21 as Nanaimo Celebrates National Aboriginal Day at Bowen Park 10-2. A fun, free event. pic.twitter.com/NwPOfrfmS2
— Nan Aboriginal Centr (@NanAborgnalCntr) June 15, 2015
All graduating aboriginal high school students will receive will receive a $75 award and a barbecue lunch. According to Gina Mowatt, Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre director, it's important to recognize the inroads First Nations students have made.
In 2009, the aboriginal graduation rate was 43 per cent and last year it reached 64 per cent. Mowatt said students are putting in the work, achieving good outcomes and it's important to celebrate that.
“Part of celebrating it is acknowledging what the students have done, but we're also putting them on stage in front of the community and they're going to be role models for the entire community of young aboriginal students that are going to be at the event,” said Mowatt.
Sydney White will be on hand Sunday. The impending Nanaimo District Secondary School graduate reached the milestone while raising a baby.
“It's had its challenges. I have a [one-year-old] daughter and trying to get her into daycare and because she has to nurse, nursing her all the time,” said White.
Still, White is excited about graduating and sees hairdressing in her future.
“I'm really excited to move forward and graduate and get out of high school,” she said.