Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment wishes to congratulate all the graduates from high schools, Aurora College and apprenticeship programs.
Aurora College saw 140 graduates this spring: 43 from Thebacha Campus, 53 from the North Slave Campus and 44 from the Aurora Campus. Graduates received certificates, diplomas and degrees in programs like Environment and Natural Resource Technology, Education, Nursing, Business Administration and Social Work.
This year sees the first class to graduate from the Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program at the Aurora Campus. Eleven graduates received their diplomas and are ready to promote, preserve and revitalize our languages. Fifteen other graduates from across the territory also received their Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program certificates.
Mr. Speaker, there are 417 registered apprentices in the Northwest Territories, half of whom are Aboriginal and 34 are female. So far this academic year, 75 journeypersons have been certified. With more countries looking north at our vast resources and Arctic coastline, these tradespeople are invaluable to our territory as our economy develops and diversifies. With their training, these Northerners will be well positioned to take advantage of opportunities and choices in all communities and regions.
As we all know, the high school years can be demanding, formative, emotional and rewarding. Many students have overcome obstacles and reached graduation this year. As they prepare for the next stage of their life, I remind them, and all Northwest Territories residents, that learning is a lifelong journey. I encourage them to strive for excellence in whatever they choose to pursue next. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
