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From pilots to nurses: N.W.T. Gwich’in catalog post-secondary success

A new timeline of post-secondary Gwich’in graduates is a catalog of firsts, from Fred Carmichael, the first aboriginal person in the N.W.T. to receive his commercial pilot’s licence to Rosalie Adams, the first Gwich’in nurse.

New timeline lists Gwich'in who’ve graduated from college or university or been certified in a trade

CBC News ·
Crystal Fraser received her master of arts in Canadian History from the University of Victoria in 2010, and is pursuing her PhD at the University of Alberta. She's one of more than 100 N.W.T. Gwich'in featured in a new timeline of post-secondary graduates. (Courtesy Gwich'in Tribal Council)

A new timeline of post-secondary Gwich’in graduates is a catalog of firsts.

Dr. Doreen Tardiff completed her PhD in dentistry at the University of Manitoba in 1996 and now works as a dentist in Edmonton. (Courtesy Gwich'in Tribal Council)
​First on the list is Fred Carmichael, who in 1958 became the first aboriginal person in the N.W.T. to receive his commercial pilot’s licence.

Also included is Rosalie Adams, who became the first Gwich’in nurse when she graduated from the University of Alberta’s nursing program in 1980.

Diane Baxter, a program officer with the council who worked on the project, says the goal was to highlight the many successes from the Gwich’in nation.

William Firth got his native language instructor diploma from Yukon College in 2003, and an associate degree from the University of Alaska in 2007. (Courtesy Gwich'in Tribal Council)
“People have always asked about this, but nobody had ever documented who they were, so we thought, well, the time to start is now.”

The timeline includes anyone who’s graduated from college or university or has been certified in a trade.

Baxter says she’s now up to 22 pages of graduates, “and that’s not even all of them.”

She says she was amazed by the number of people who have had success in education.

“There’s so many people out there who have higher education that are doing so well in their life, and it’s a great way to recognize them.”

Denise Kurszewski got an education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995 and a master’s degree in 2000 from the University of Alberta. (Courtesy Gwich'in Tribal Council)
For example, Denise Kurszewski, a Nihtat Gwich'ìn, got her education degree from the University of Saskatchewan and her master's degree from the University of Alberta. She’s now the superintendent of the Beaufort Delta Education Council.

Shirley Snowshoe, a Teetl'it Gwich'ìn, got her master of education degree in 2010 from the University of British Columbia and is now principal of Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson, N.W.T.

The timeline also includes Dr. Doreen Tardiff, a Teetl'ìt Gwich'ìn who graduated from the University of Manitoba with a PhD in Dentistry in 1996.

Baxter says the First Nation has a 100 per cent employment rate for anyone with post-secondary education.

The timeline will hang on school walls and in Gwich’in offices.

Baxter says it will eventually go online.

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