The Fort St. James campus of the College of New Caledonia held a Student Appreciation Day last week.
Attended by a packed house of students and honoured guests including elders from area first nations, MLA John Rustad and Nak’azdli Chief Fred Sam.
Campus Supervisor Ann McCormick spoke a few words in Carrier, and she praised the elders on campus for their work in engaging students in the local language.
“It really builds relationships within the campus,” said McCormick.
Lillian Sam and Genevieve Pierre are both local elders on campus at the CNC.
Chief Fred Sam also spoke a few words.
“One of our priorities for our community is education,” he said, commending the students for their continued learning.
Rustad honoured the work the college does in the community.
“What they have done in this facility over a number of years is remarkable,” he said. “It’s an example that maybe other communities look at.”
Rustad said the work McCormick and the other staff have done has helped to change lives and create opportunities for people in the community.
The elders honoured Rustad with a photograph of some of the pictographs of Stuart Lake, which McCormick said she hoped he would hang in his office in Victoria and speak of the community here.