Podunk Below the Masthead (Thursday, May 27, 2010)

Northwest Community College celebrates its grads, Northern health puts out the call for patients to access a family doctor and Nathan Cullen weighs in on the MP spending debate. Some of the items of interest for Thursday.

Daily News, front page headline story
PRINCE RUPERT CAMPUS STUDENTS RECEIVE PROUD RECOGNITION-- Deatils of the graduation ceremonies at Northwest Community College last week, which saw 38 students don the cap and gown in recognition of their achievements at the college.

The proposed change to hours at the Recycling centre has a long time environmental advocate concerned that Rupertites may fall back on their recycling efforts if the process is not made user friendly. Jean Martin outlined her concerns to the Daily News for Thursday's edition.

The turnover of the old King Edward Elementary School last year to the Metlakatla Development Corp. for one dollar has once again been examined. As the School District continues to seek a way to sell off some of it's own school properties in the city. The Old King Ed school had been in the hands of the Integrated Land Management Bureau, selling it to Metlakatla Devolopment in what is essentially a hand over of property to the local First Nations economic development organization. 

The Sports section features a look at high school track and field with a report on the success of Prince Rupert Secondary School's team at the recent zones competition.


(Daily News Archives for Thursday, May 27, 2010)

Prince Rupert campus students receive proud recognition
Recycling champion voices concerns
Nurses reunited at Homecoming
Centennial Edgar Dunning in Rupert
A building for a buck

The Northern View
Enbridge files for review of proposed pipeline -- Enbridge has launched its bid for a proposed pipeline known as the Northern Gateway, with copies of it's application posted to a government site as well as the company's website (see article here)

CFTK TV 7
Northern Health recruiting families without family doctors -- With the shortage of family doctor's in the city starting to ease Northern health, has advised the estimated 800 or so residents still without one to contact the city's new primary health care clinic to be assigned a family doctor (see article here) Sahar Nassimdoost provided a report on the story for TV 7 News (view report here)

CFTK TV 7
Cullen addresses MP expense debate -- Nathan Cullen. the NDP MP for Skeena- Bulkley Valley has offered up his take on the current debate in Ottawa over MP spending, as we outlined on the blog on Wednesday, Mr. Cullen was recently listed as one of the top spending MP's currently serving in Ottawa. (see article here)

CFTK TV 7
Enbridge Formally Applies for Regulatory Approval of Northern Gateway -- Details of Enbridge's application for Regulatory Approval for it's Northern Gateway pipeline project (see article here)

CFTK TV 7
Teacher's next trek -- The latest details on Tulani Ackerman's quest to bring more awareness to student's needs through her Steps project. Which will see the local teacher leave Prince Rupert on July 1st and begin walk and bike  journey to Victoria to bring home her message. (Sahar Nassimdoost provided this report for CFTK TV 7 News)

CBC News Norther BC, Daybreak North
Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now. 

The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here

Daily News, front page, headline story
Prince Rupert campus students receive proud recognition
By George T. Baker
Staff Writer
Prince Rupert Daily News
Thursday, May 27, 2010


They were lined up behind dignitaries and ushered in by the Sm’ Haalyt Dancers, but for NWCC Prince Rupert, the 38 graduating students of 2010 were the real show.

The Lester Centre for the Arts lower bowl was packed with proud instructors, beaming families and flashing bulbs as picture after picture was taken during the Convocation Ceremony on May 21.

“Wow! I feel good… for you!” shouted District of Port Edward councillor James Brown, whose loud praise shocked the audience into laughter. “Feel good about yourself. These days you need to continue your education – in this world you have to be certified.” Brown could be right.

Last September, Statistics Canada profiled the Canadian employment sector based on education levels in 2007. That statistics department found that 25 per cent of Canadian adults aged 25 to 64 had received a university degree or a university certificate above a bachelor’s, surpassing 23 other OECD nations. Norway led the way with 32 per cent, followed by the United States (31 per cent). Ontario (28 per cent) and British Columbia (26 per cent) exceeded the Canadian average.

During the same year, Canada’s employment rate for individuals with a high school diploma or the equivalent of a trade or vocational diploma was 77 per cent. For college or university graduates, it was 83 per cent. The corresponding OECD averages were 76 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively. In Canada, the employment rate for those who had not completed high school was 57 per cent.

Having a certificate, or even a university degree, is no longer a benefit to help those seeking employment - it is now considered a must.

The class valedictorian Delphine Barton’s speech echoed those figures. Barton had been a career hairstylist until an arthritis condition forced her to quit the profession. She knew she couldn’t retire.

Barton had to go back to school.

In 2003, Barton received an invitation to attend a workshop on deciding what she wanted to do. The workshop leaders asked her to set a goal. The request amazed Barton.

“At that point in my life, it had never occurred to me to set a goal for myself.” After six years of balancing part-time work, family and school, she did accomplish a set goal – her adult Dogwood diploma.

 “I achieved my goal,” she told those gathered. “Education is the key that opens the door. I would like to say to Grad Class 2010, congratulations and good luck, wherever your endeavors take you.”

 Mayor Jack Mussallem, who was joined by North Coast MLA Gary Coons and Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen, is hoping that their skills don’t take them geographically far. Mussallem congratulated the grads on their achievement and asked if they would stay and help the community grow.

 “One day we may see one of these people on city council,” said Mussallem. “I hope in the years ahead you look back at the fond memories of your education.”

“This college punches above its weight,” praised Cullen. “I can’t wait to see what you are all up to over the years.”

Coons concurred. 

“This isn’t the end. There are lots more to come,” said Coons. “The tassel is worth the hassle.”

Having an award is a nice accompaniment to the tassel hats. Three awards were handed out last Friday. Symbia Barnaby was awarded with the first ever Patti Barnes Humanitarian Award for her work hosting a weeklong symposium on women’s issues at the College Campus. She was joined by Danielle Kinney who was recognized with the Adult Special Education Award, and Kate Fish and Christa Barette, who were co-winners of the John Jensen Award for Political Activism for their hosting of the 350-Day, an environmental awareness event.

 “This wouldn’t be possible without the Creator, my mom, my dad, my loving husband and my children,’ said Barnaby, a sentiment that was shared by many of the grads. “All of this wouldn’t have happened without you.” 

Friday’s ceremonies also presented one last convocation for NWCC board Chair Irene Seguin. Seguin was the first board member and chair of aboriginal descent. She is stepping down in July after 15 years of volunteer work with the college.

 “The most important work that you have before you is that you are role models. Children and others will learn from you, no matter what your background.”