Kiuna Institution's Second cohort of graduates

ODANAK, QC, Sept. 8 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - On August 31^st, Kiuna Institution celebrated the success of 21 Aboriginal students enrolled in the First Nations Social Science program (DSC), the Sciences humaines – Premières Nations program (DEC) and Éducation spécialisée en contextes autochtones (Special Education in Aboriginal contexts (ASC)) as part of the graduation ceremony hosted by Annick Ottawa,  graduate student from the first cohort.

In the presence of the Kiuna team and surrounded by their parents, friends and members of their respective communities, the graduating students delivered moving speeches, imbued with unparalleled pride.

Also among the guests, representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Science, Dawson College, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, the First Nations Education Council and Mr. Geoffrey Kelley, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, who wanted to personally convey their congratulations to the students.

Kiuna Institution, located in Odanak, is an initiative of the First Nations Education Council, carried out in partnership with Dawson College and the Cégep de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue and supported by the provincial and federal governments. Offering a unique educational approach in its kind, the Institution opened its doors August 22, 2011. The mission of Kiuna is to shape competent First Nations citizens in their respective fields, proud inheritors of their culture, socially responsible, open to the world and concerned for the well-being of their communities. At the end of its three years of operation, 25 First Nations students obtained a college degree.

Image with caption: "From left to right : Justine M'Sadoques-Plourde; Lucie Martin; Mathieu Lavoie; Shawna Petiquay; Marielle Nequado; Diane Flamand; Julia Flamand; Stacey Awashish; Léziane Duschene; Cheyenne Flamand; Kim-Uapikun Launière; Stéphanie Chachai; Marylène Flamand; Terry-Randy Awashish; Shaelyn Nelson; Jaymie Chachai-Mathieu; Julie Delisle. Missing from the picture: Valentine Awashish; Jonas-Élie Dubé; Martine Denis-Damée; Madie Ottawa. (CNW Group/First Nations Education Council)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140908_C3366_PHOTO_EN_5386.jpg

SOURCE: First Nations Education Council

Prudence Hannis, Associate Director, [phone]