DEBATES OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (Hansard), February 11, 2010 - Two Minute Statement

I rise today to congratulate all of those associated with the aboriginal education program offered in the Sooke school district, district 62. This program offers support and mentorship to all aboriginal students living both off reserve and on reserves in Pacheedaht, Scia'new and T'Sou-ke, encouraging them to take pride in their culture, their history and their traditions.

Aboriginal enhancement agreements, hiring aboriginal teachers, clustering aboriginal students — it seems pretty simple, hon. Speaker. If you put the right formula in place, you're going to get success, and that's what we get in school district 62. Through hard work and determination, aboriginal student graduation rates in the district are rising. Last year alone 68 percent of First Nations students achieved their Dogwood. That's up from 49 percent the year before.

These results are the fifth-highest in the province and the highest among suburban districts — quite an accomplishment. Hon. Speaker, you can only imagine what it would be like in my district if there was a brand-new high school instead of the Belmont School we have, held together by duct tape and crowded hallways.

Fortunately, I was able to attend an event at John Stubbs Memorial School, a new school built in my term in office in the riding of the member for Esquimalt–Royal Roads, and we celebrated aboriginal achievement. Eight hundred students from throughout the district were there, represented with their hands on the wall — aboriginal drumming, aboriginal culture, and stories were told. It was a truly wonderful evening and a wonderful event. I want to encourage all members of this House to join with me in celebrating aboriginal education in the Sooke district and encouraging the government to fund the Belmont replacement project.