(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.

Glenn Courchene, 61 ans, a prouvé au monde qu'il n'est jamais trop tard pour continuer à apprendre. Courchene est Anishinaabe de la Première nation de Sagkeeng et a fréquenté le pensionnat indien de Fort Alexander et a également fréquenté l'externat au Manitoba lorsqu'il était plus jeune. Alors qu'il ne terminait que la 6e année, Courchene s'est fixé comme objectif personnel de terminer ses études secondaires, ce qu'il a atteint avec fierté et dignité. Le personnel du centre d'éducation des adultes Empower a décrit Courchene comme étant drôle, attentionnée et reconnaissante. Il aimait aussi partager ses connaissances avec le personnel et ses camarades de classe.

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.

La LHF travaille à la mise en ligne de ses autres expositions. LHF propose également un programme de la maternelle à la 12e année et pour les adultes, ainsi que des guides d'activités, visant à éduquer les Canadiens sur l'histoire autochtone et l'histoire commune des pensionnats et des externats, la rafle des années 60 et d'autres actes d'oppression coloniale. Pour faire un don ou pour plus d'informations sur la LHF, visitez le site Web de la Fondation Legacy of Hope à www.legacyofhope.ca.