b'GRADUATIONGraduation is not just an album by Kanye. Degreedegree focusing on Mohawk or Cayuga languages. and graduate come from gradus, meaning step.McMaster University in Hamilton offers credits in This passage of time, growth and development is aboutAnishinaabemowin. more than just passing with good grades. For many FNMI students and their families, it is connected to theCan you sense the healing? Can you see the connec-healing of the community. By understanding the healingtions? Non-linear progression seems to be the norm, that needs to happen we can move on to what comeswhere the pressure of graduating on time and leaving next: the future! Optimism about ones possibilities andhigh school before you turn 20, going to post-secondary ones future creates even more optimism in a knock-onimmediately afterwards, then starting a career right effect, where young students see their parents getaway is not as prevalent.qualifications around their own potential career. They too buy into the levels of success that come with post- In most FNMI communities, multigenerational families secondary qualifications and lifelong learning.under one roof are the norm, not the exception. There Pessimistic doubts caused by any one of a series ofis a wider variety of homelife settings to take into unfortunate events builds on feelings of powerlessnessconsideration as students factor different responsibili- feelings that can turn into cynicism. This cynicismties into their school life. School boards now seem to can be felt both by students and their teachers, whobe attempting to meet the students where they are in are often working and learning in survival mode.their life, since awareness of this issue is no longer in Oftentimes, it is just too much to bear, so absenteeismthe shadows, at least not as much. Previous standards and even more problematic ways of dealing with theseof Shut up more, sit still longer and work harder feelings creep into that space. seem less prevalent. There are many reasons why graduation is no longerWith recent advances in tech and connectivity, students what it used to be. It seems like an easy enough statisticcan expand their horizons a bit more easily in a variety to quantify; however, the variables that impact andof subjects via multiple pathways. Online learning, create those statistics promulgated by provincial minis- which was not as prevalent or as valued and viable tries of education can be misleading. High school hasan option before, has become a contributing factor in become more open and accepting of many differentadvancing FNMI students chances of pursuing different cultures and groups. Back in the day when they usedlevels of education. There has been a dramatic increase chalk on green boards, the only second language optionin the number of programs available with varying levels I had, starting in Grade 5 and then in high school, wasof certification. Micro credentials and so many more French. Today, in my community, students can learnways of learning are available via different platforms Mohawk and Cayuga, which can also be taken as credits in high school. Even the Six Nations Polytechnic offersas well as providers starting to partner with more a Bachelor of Arts in Ogwehoweh Languages (BAOL). ItIndigenous organizations, communities and school is a fully accredited (general three-year) undergraduateboards to get more folks off the struggle bus. 2022indspiration33'