(Ottawa, ON) December 2, 2020 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation would like to congratulate and honour Glenn Courchene, who received his high school diploma from the Empower Adult Education Centre on November 18, 2020 for his resilience and success.

61-year-old Glenn Courchene proved to the world that it is never too late to keep learning. Courchene is Anishinaabe from Sagkeeng First Nations, and attended the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School and also attended the Day school in Manitoba when he was younger. While only completing up to grade 6, Courchene made it his personal goal to finish high school, to which he achieved with pride and dignity. The Staff at the Empower Adult Education Centre described Courchene as funny, caring and appreciative. He also loved to share his knowledge to the Staff and his classmates.

Nonetheless, Courchene is not done learning just yet. He plans on attending university in the near future to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree and says that he never wants to stop learning. Courchene hopes to inspire others to believe in their education goals too. “Now I can prove that an Elder like me could graduate. If anybody like me can do it, they can do it,” said Glenn Courchene.

“It’s important to take the time to recognize Survivors on their educational accomplishments given that their association with schools and learning has often been quite painful. Glenn is a true inspiration to other Survivors who want to pursue their dreams. Well done Glenn!” said the Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel, Teresa Edwards.

The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation for 20 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing impacts of the Residential and Day School System, Sixties Scoop, and other colonial acts of oppression on generations of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities in order to promote healing and to address racism. The LHF works to encourage people to address discrimination and injustices in order to contribute to the equality, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation in Canada.

The LHF is working on making its other exhibitions available on line. LHF also has curriculum from K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and other colonial acts of oppression. To donate, or for more information about the LHF visit the Legacy of Hope Foundation website at www.legacyofhope.ca.