College GalleryStories
Northern Lakes College is proud to feature stories regarding Indigenous alumni, initiatives, and members of the College community.
Photo: Steinhauer Photography
EDUCATION AS A VEHICLE FOR EMPOWERMENT AND SOVEREIGNTY
Janine Nanimahoo
A member of the Bigstone Cree Nation, Janine Nanimahoo was born and raised in Wabasca. An alumni of the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP), Janine was impressed by the Northern Lakes College commitment to accommodating parents. As a woman raised with her culture’s traditional dedication to family, Janine appreciated NLC’s parent-positive atmosphere.
NORTHERN LAKES COLLEGE: A FAMILY AFFAIR
Russel and Andy Alook
Northern Lakes College has always been a part of Andy Alook’s life. As a youngster, he would often accompany his dad, Russell Alook, to the campus. Russell was an instructor in the College’s Academic Upgrading program at the Wabasca Campus for over 30 years. His mother, after raising her family, took the Health Care Aide program at NLC and works with Bigstone Health Commission. It was only natural that Andy would find himself as a student of the College. This is his educational story. READ FULL STORY »
HEART WORK: TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS CRAFTING LEADS TO HEALING
Ramona Young
She did her beadwork as the sun came up. She resumed her work in the evenings when the house was quiet, once the children settled for the night. It was a labour of love, what she calls “heart work”. With an estimated 40 to 50 hours of work, Northern Lakes College (NLC) alumni Ramona Young turned out her first pair of beaded mukluks.
CREATING A NEW LIFE THROUGH EDUCATION
Hilda Lambert
Looking back over her professional and educational journey, there are so many defining moments for Hilda Lambert. However, obtaining her Certificate of Completion in Academic Upgrading stands above the rest. “When I achieved the courses that I needed to get into my post-secondary program, that was an amazing feeling. I thought I would never get there. I did things ‘backwards’; I had my children first then I got my education. I never thought I would be able to do it,” explains Hilda.
Photo: Chris Hsiung Hidden Story Productions Ltd.
ELDER EKTI’S TIPIS TAKE HER FROM NORTHERN LAKES COLLEGE TO INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
Elder Ekti (Margaret) Cardinal
When Elder Ekti (Margaret) Cardinal arrives for her OnCourse with NLC podcast interview, she is bubbling with energy. It is a beautiful fall day and she has just made the drive from her home near Joussard to the Northern Lakes College campus in Slave Lake. Moments after stepping into the building, she has a heartwarming reunion with a former colleague. A longtime instructor in the Aboriginal Arts program, Ekti taught in that capacity with the College for 23 years.
NEW EXHIBITS AT THE NORTHERN LAKES COLLEGE NATIVE CULTURAL ARTS MUSEUM PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING, HEALING, AND RECONCILIATION
“Forgiveness, apologies, actions, unity, change, and healing are all components of reconciliation,” explains Sam (Carl) Willier, an alumni of the Northern Lakes College Academic Upgrading program. “We chose Indigenous exhibits to dedicate healing towards the process of reconciliation in Canada.” Sam is one of five summer students creating new exhibits at the Native Cultural Arts Museum at Northern Lakes College.
ELDER MABEL GREY
Elder Mabel Grey was involved with Northern Lakes College for 33 years, from 1972 to 2005. In 1972, a representative of the Community Vocational Centre visited the community of Atikameg to see if there might be interest in establishing a local adult learning centre.
GRASSROOTS
In the late 1960s, the community of Peerless Lake was approached by the Community Vocational Centre to determine interest in establishing an adult learning centre. The community jumped at the chance, establishing an Education Management Committee (EMC) and building its own campus. Charlie Orr remembers falling the trees in the winter of 1969 - 1970 to construct the first Peerless Lake Campus, which was built in the palisade style with the logs running vertically. The campus opened in the fall of 1971.
Photo: Chris Hsiung Hidden Story Productions Ltd.
RESPECT FOR CULTURE
With its roots firmly planted in many First Nations and Métis communities, culture has always been at the heart of Northern Lakes College.