Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council officials honoured grads at a special ceremony on June 22 in Port Alberni.
More than 50 Grade 12 grads and 23 post-secondary grads from across Nuu-chahnulth at the Alberni Athletic Hall on Friday, June 22.
According to NTC staff, there are more than 50 Grade 12 graduates Nuu-chah-nulth wide. There are 25 aboriginal graduates from Alberni District Secondary School this year, down from 32 in 2011.
Most graduates received certificates of recognition for their achievement, as well as congratulations and gifts from their home tribes.
NTC president Cliff Atleo addressed graduates in the Nuu-chah-nulth language first, and not using a word of English. Later, he told them that their accomplishment, "opens the door to other opportunities. There's no end to the potential of choices that you can make," he said. "It is with great pride that we celebrate your achievement today."
School District 70 Superintendent Cam Pinkerton said that he recognized several students from when they were in Grades 3-4. "Now I'm seeing them graduate," he said.
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