DTI Celebrates Adult Basic Education Graduates

The following article was originally published in the GDI Communicator Vol. 18 Issue 6, June 2024. The Communicator is a monthly internal newsletter intended to celebrate the achievements of the management and staff of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. You can find the archive of previous issues in the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture.

Adult Basic Education (ABE) graduates across the province celebrated with their families and friends as another school year ends. Going back to school as an adult is daunting for many, so our students have much to be proud of as they complete their studies. These students often balance their studies between jobs, family responsibilities, and other challenges that require exceptional dedication and focus.

Dumont Technical Institute (DTI)’s ABE program creates opportunities for adult learners to self-actualize their goals, better understand their Métis culture and heritage, and contribute to their families and communities. ABE students complete a cultural project each semester, whether it is cedar bundles, ribbon skirts, or making an Orange Shirt Day quilt. Creating a supportive environment for students as whole people helps adult learners become more confident in their studies.

DTI faculty are committed to relentlessly supporting our students, who may have faced barriers or felt alienated at typical schools. Our students develop personal relationships with the faculty and staff, and the campus feels like an extended family by graduation. Whether they plan to enter the workforce, return for post-secondary education, or continue to upgrade a few classes, they’ve invested a lot of hard work to get this far, and we celebrate their success.

Congratulations to the nine graduates from Saskatoon; six graduates from Regina; four graduates from Prince Albert and two successful upgraders; four graduates from La Loche; three graduates from ?le-à-la-Crosse; and the single graduate from Cumberland House. Congratulations also to all the Level 1, 2, and 3 completers who have made important strides in reclaiming their education.

Education is a powerful tool, and our students are positioned to build a brilliant future. Thanks, Maarsii, for your commitment to education and for inspiring us all!