My name is Kevin McNab and I am a Saulteau person from Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan. For the past year and a half, I’ve been honoured to attend the Anishnawbe Skills Development Program at the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre. This program has allowed me to achieve my Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

The program itself not only focussed on academic learning, but it also enabled me to attend other functions at the Friendship Centre such as Sharing Circles and workshops. It also introduced me to Micro Computers which is a necessity in University for papers and assignments. This was a very positive process and it not only helped me academically, but it also helped me to understand myself better as well as the people around me.

I have to admit that the idea of going back to school was pretty scary, but I soon learned that you only get out of the program, what you put into it. I would like to thank the staff at the Thunder Bay Indian Friend-ship Centre for the friendly environment in which the program was offered. I would like to thank Sharon Bannon, Literacy Coordinator and Connie Bannon, Assistant Literacy Coordinator for helping me to realize that I can accomplish anything, if I keep trying. Through this realization, I have found self-esteem as well as understanding that it’s never too late to learn something new. I am also grateful that such a positive program is offered for Native people in Thunder Bay.

Chi Meegwetch