Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) recently announced their Student Achievement Award winners and the Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award winner. On Friday September 5, 2014, three students from Akwesasne were presented with scholarships from OFNTSC. Honouring First Nations and Metis students for their commitment to post secondary education has become a signature event of the OFNTSC, and it has done it for over 19 years.

Jay Benedict, Director of MCA Department of Technical Services sits on the board of OFNTSC. He nominated four students from Akwesasne, and three of them were chosen. More impressive is the fact that there are only five scholarships available and 134 First Nations across Ontario are eligible. Three of the five are from here. "You should all be proud of yourselves. We're proud that three out of the five awards are coming here," said Jay. "It's really good. It really speaks to not only the education system, but also the drive of the students," Jay added.

Jay and Bob Howsam, Executive Director of OFNTSC, talked especially about the Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award. Derrick Kamanga was a wastewater expert and a good friend to both of them. Bob said "He was a special guy."

The three students from Akwesasne are Deneen Cole, Noah Bero and Lauren Ashley Adams. They each received a $1,000 scholarship.

Deneen M. Cole is a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne, and a Student Achievement Award Winner. Her mother is Catherine Cole and grandparents are John and Rita Cole.

She recently just completed her undergraduate studies at SUNY Potsdam in Biochemistry. Cole is now furthering her education by pursuing biomedical graduate studies at George Washington University in Washington D.C. The path to a great education was not easy one however for Cole. She said, "Through the years of struggling to find my path, I've come to realize the massive amount of support I've gained in the community." She continued, "I'm humbled by all of the support and respect from my community in recognizing all the hard work and dedication it took to get to this point."

Noah Bero is a junior in the Electrical Engineering Program at SUNY Canton and is a Student Achievement Award Winner. From Mohawks of Akwesasne, Bero is the oldest child of parents Gary and Melissa Bero. In the winter Bero tries to be as helpful as possible to his elderly neighbours. He has also participated in a student panel to talk about his educational and career goals to other youth from the community. Bero said, "once I graduate from college I hope to use my degree at a local company to help better the community I was raised in."

This year's Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award recipient is Lauren Ashley Adams, daughter of Darlene and Peter Adams. Adams is a graduate of Civil Engineering from Clarkson University. She has concentrations in structural and architectural engineering. While she comes from a large family, she is no stranger to endured hardships. Adams' grandfather was maintenance foreman on a bridge and his hard work ethic has resonated with Adams, and her family. She said, "His hard work throughout his life taught me what it really meant to be someone your family can lean on. My family is full of hard workers, and it is where I get my work ethic, and my determination to succeed." In the future Adams aims to contribute to her community by designing new housing projects and assisting in the updating/renovation of older homes so they become more energy efficient and therefore less costly.

At the presentation MCA Grand Chief Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell talked about how Akwesasne likes to take on challenges, and how, in regards to water management, Akwesasne could control its own water. He talked about the vision that Akwesasne's young people chose fields like engineering and bring their skills home and turn them into careers. Mitchell said, "We congratulate you with what you have received and what you will receive. Akwesasne is proud of each and every one of you."