Grad of reserve program looks to future

As Katrina AlexanderHunter, 30, was handed her SAIT graduation certificate Friday, it signified more than a few months of hard work. It is the beginning of a dream and, hopefully, a better life for her children on the Bearspaw reserve at Morley.

“This is the start of my 10year goal to open a ranch for foster children and bring them back to the reserve to teach them their culture and their ways,” she said.

“That’s what I have visioned for myself.”

Thirty Bearspaw First Nation students were enrolled in 18-week-long certificate programs taught in Morley and Eden Valley. One program was Applied Management and the other was Hospitality and Tourism. Fifteen graduated at the ceremony in the Bearspaw Youth Center.

“It wasn’t as successful on Eden Valley but they will get participation certificates,” said Brandy Dixon, office assistant with the Bearspaw Human Resources department. “There’s so much bad news about the reserve and this is such a good-news story. They’ve worked really hard.”

SAIT has previously run other professional development certificate programs on the reserve, said professional and leadership program manager Travis Ouchi.

Hotel and hospitality training has prepared residents to work and grow into management roles in the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. This latest round of training will prepare more staff for the planned Bearspaw Kananaskis Travel Centre, expected to employ 25 to 35 people.

This is the second goround of post-secondary education for AlexanderHunter. She studied early childhood learning at Bow Valley College and was working in that field.

But the death of her brother from cancer in September made her re-evaluate everything. When she heard about the in-community training being offered by SAIT, she signed up.

“I did it in his memory. He always wanted to go to SAIT. Now that I got that opportunity and be on campus, I felt my brother was with me.”

Alexander-Hunter isn’t done yet. She intends to return to school in the fall to obtain a bachelor’s degree in child studies.