A ceremony was held in the Letkemann Theatre June 30 to recognize the achievements of graduates from University College of the North’s Thompson campus who completed all or part of their degrees, diplomas and certificates via remote learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kenanow bachelor of education graduate Taylor Flett of Tataskweyak Cree Nation, who was named UCN Thompson valedictorian and also won the lieutenant-governor’s gold medal for academic achievement, said all of her fellow graduates deserve credit for persevering though the tough times to make it to graduation day.
“Today is the day to celebrate our resilience,” she said. “Many of us had to adapt to online distance classes. Still we persevered and adapted to change that came our way. We are here because we’re resilient, we are patient, we are the wildest dreams of our ancestors come true.”
Manitoba Advanced Education Minister Jon Reyes, who was in Thompson for the first time to attend the convocation ceremony, said the graduates reflect the character of Northern Manitoba.
“The fact that we are all here today celebrating your tremendous achievements as graduates during these unprecedented times is a great example of our collective ability … to persevere through great adversity.”
Martha Jonasson of UCN’s council of elders said the graduates had the chance to be where they are because of those in the past who had the vision to establish a university college in Northern Manitoba but that their individual accomplishments are testament to their own determination.
“Your success is because of your hard work, your dedication and sacrifice,” she said. “You earned all of this and no can take it away from you.”
