Photo: Peace Wapiti Public School Division

By Shaun Penner

Indigenous Speakers Series

Indigenous Speakers Series turns attention to post-secondary transition

Apr 7, 2019 | 7:00 AM

Graduation is right around the corner, and that has the Peace Wapiti School Division focusing on getting those students prepared for the transition to post-secondary education.

Two Indigenous professionals with local ties will be speaking at three different schools within PWPSD between Monday and Wednesday, where they will share their experiences from university.

Former GPRC students Thomas Laboucan-Avirom and Andrea Deleeuw will be speaking at Peace Wapiti Academy, Sexsmith Secondary School and Ridgevalley School. Laboucan-Avirom currently articles with Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP Law in Yellowknife, while Deleeuw works as a Learning Clicks Ambassador with the Government of Alberta, a position that helps students with the transition from high school into the next step of their lives.

“These two people are really strong role models in our community and surrounding community,” said Indigenous Educator with PWPSD Brigitte Benning. “They both are of our community, which is really cool because people can reach out to them after and actually be in contact with them after the speaker series and follow their journey.”

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Benning further adds the two will be relatable to the students as they know what it is like to grow up in the area and can further demonstrate what is possible, no matter where you may come from.

Before starting in Yellowknife, Laboucan-Avirom started his post-secondary education at GPRC, before transferring to the University of Victoria, where he acquired degrees in English and Law. He has also attended the Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto. Some of his career highlights include contributing to a solar power project at Cadotte Lake, and completing a semester of law school in Belize, working with the Maya Leaders Alliance aiding them regarding Indigenous rights and title.

Deleeuw also got her start at GPRC before transferring to the University of Calgary, where she is in her third year of a Bachelor of Social Work degree. A few of her career highlights include serving as president of the Circle of Indigenous Students at U of C, later serving as treasurer with the Aboriginal Youth Council. She was also nominated for a Women of Influence award recently in Grande Prairie, where she now calls home.

“Both of them started at Grande Prairie Regional College and then moved on to other universities, but came back to work in the community,” said Benning. “I think it is a really good message that I’m excited for our kids to hear.”

The pair will be at Peace Wapiti Academy on Monday morning, before speaking at Sexsmith Secondary School in the afternoon. They will be at Ridgevalley School on Tuesday afternoon, before speaking again at Peace Wapiti Academy on Wednesday morning to close out the series.

This is the second installment of the series this year. Indigenous basketball star Michael Linklater toured the area back in March, speaking on several topics. Benning referenced that tour as a great success.

The sessions are offered to high school students in Grades 11 and 12 at those schools and will be offered to all students (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) in those grades.