Media Advisory – Matawa Education Host 2024 Oshki Maachita Graduation

July 17, 2024

Thunder Bay, ON – Matawa Education will be hosting a graduation ceremony for the graduates of the 32-week Matawa Waka Tere Certificate in Indigenous Pathways to Speaking the Language, Year One program.

This inaugural event will gather in Thunder Bay to celebrate the achievements of 73 graduates from the nine Matawa First Nations communities and Thunder Bay, where the program was delivered and offered in the three languages of Ojibway/Ojibwe, Oji-Cree and Cree. Family members of graduates, Matawa Education partners, and representatives will join in the special occasion.

The ceremony will include a symposium, procession, opening remarks, and the presentation of the Matawa Education certificates to graduates who successfully completed all requirements of the Matawa Education Ontario Post Secondary Equivalent program.  Graduates will also receive special Certificates of Acknowledgement from the office of Lise Vaugeois, MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North.

The Suzan Sandau Memorial Award will be presented to a student from Suzan’s Cree community of Constance Lake First Nation. Suzan was a Matawa Waka Tere Indigenous Language Specialist before her untimely passing in 2021. Suzan’s family will be presenting this prestigious award.

Other dignitaries attending include former Chief Johnny Yellowhead from Nibinamik First Nation, who visited New Zealand in 2012, a representative from the City of Thunder Bay, and MPP for Kiiwetinoong Sol Mamakwa. Brittney Mendowegan from Ginoogaming First Nation will serve as the keynote speaker for the graduates.

The event will be livestreamed here: https://youtube.com/live/mbXq_LLW_j4?feature=share

Media is cordially invited to attend.

Date:                   Thursday, July 18th, 2024

Location:            Matawa Education and Care Centre Gymnasium, 200 Lillie Street North, Thunder Bay, ON, P7C5Y2

Time:                   9:30 a.m.

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For more information, contact: Carol Audet, Matawa Communications Manager at (807) 632-9663 or by email at caudet@matawa.on.ca

NT5