THUNDER BAY – Getting his diploma in social service work was a bigger-than-expected thrill to Rico Morales.
“I didn’t realize that I was going to be that excited,” Morales said the week after receiving a diploma from Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute, commonly called Oshki-Wenjack.
“But yeah, just waiting, the anticipation and hearing everyone’s name called … my adrenaline started rushing. Like, ‘oh my God – this is actually happening.’
“When we were in orientation two years ago, back in 2023, our coordinator said that these next two years are going to fly by.
“And of course, at that time I thought ‘two years, that’s a long time away.’ But, you know, now we’re here.”
Morales, one of seven graduates in his program last week, came to Thunder Bay from Dryden for Oshki-Wenjack courses and training. He’s a member of a First Nation in Manitoba.
For the time being, he plans to stay in Thunder Bay, where he’s employed by Tikinagan Child and Family Services.
In all, the education institute presented diplomas, degrees and certificates to 113 people in a dozen programs June 13 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
Heather Necan, who graduated from Oshki-Wenjack’s Practical Nursing program, said getting her diploma “was a relief.”
“I really want to go to work right away, and you need that credential to get a job in nursing. So getting that (diploma) was very important,” she said.
The diploma presentation followed up on a nurses’ pinning ceremony last year.
“Oshki-Wenjack, the education institute, delivered a really good program,” said Necan, a Moose Cree First Nation member who lives in Thunder Bay.
“It worked for me because it was online courses in the evenings and then we would meet up every couple of months for two weeks.
“So we worked together and they delivered tremendous support.
“I honestly would recommend taking the nursing program through Oshki because the environment and the support were amazing. The staff, the instructors, they were really amazing. I’m so happy that I came across this program.”
The graduation event was attended by Kiiweetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Thunder Bay Coun. Dominic Pasqualino and other dignitaries.
“This day belongs to our graduates, their families and the communities who walked beside them,” Lorrie Deschamps, Oshki-Wenjack’s president, said in a news release.
“Their strength brought them here, and they carry that strength forward into their careers, their communities and their futures.”
Based in Thunder Bay, the education institute offers more than a dozen programs and has partnerships with six colleges and universities including Confederation College.
