Means & Meaning: The Big Deal

Eileen Firingstoney, Grade 11, is determined to graduate and be a welder.

Being a teenager in Grade 9, living off the Maskwacis reserve, separated from people she loved—sometimes the drama of her life made Eileen want to quit.

But someone noticed. Vice Principal Mike Willing also saw Eileen’s potential. After a week-long welding “camp” held at MANS after school in March 2018, Mike invited Eileen to join the high school welding class.

Eileen was a different girl on September 26, 2020. Confident and joyful about the future, Eileen, along with co-welder/artist Tessa Potts (MANS Class of 2020), and Mike unveiled Miweyihtowin, their welded sculpture commissioned by the City of Lacombe as part of its public art collection (permanently installed at the intersection of College Avenue and Edmonton-Calgary Trail). Now in Grade 11, Eileen’s determined to graduate from MANS and make a career of welding.

What if a lack of funding had caused MANS to turn Eileen away?

Every year, MANS does have to turn students away. Not because they are undesirable, but because the federal government, which is responsible for the education of First Nations children, does not pay the per student allowance that covers only 2/3 of the cost of their education at MANS if they don’t live on a reserve.

We’re exploring a new source of funds for next year, but at this time, there is no tuition support for off-reserve students at MANS. We currently have 13 students enrolled who are “unfunded.” More want to come.

What if we’d let Eileen go because no one paid for kids like her?

Government doesn’t see what Mike saw. They don’t see what you can see at mans1.ca in the videos Eileen’s Gift and Miweyihtowin: The Unveiling. What governments see is statistics: Nationally, a First Nations child is more likely to spend time in prison than to graduate high school.* Of those who do go on to high school, only 35% graduate.

At MANS, we’re turning that grim future around for Eileen and others even during COVID-19. COVID-19 measures are adding to the cost, but MANS and the people there mean so much to Eileen and Tessa that they donated part of their commission earnings to help MANS cover unforeseen COVID-19 costs.

Your gift to keep kids like Eileen in school and keep them safe from COVID-19 will be matched by a generous donor—doubled!

Please consider making a life-changing, “doubled” gift today.

It’s challenging, but hanging on to students pays: two members of the MANS Class of 2020 who lived off reserve for a time are now freshmen at Burman University.

Believe it: You can change the course of a young life.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Class of 2020 — MANS’ biggest class ever—had a 100% graduation rate and two members are now at Burman U. Since opening the new high school in September 2018, 57% of graduates have gone on to university or trade school or are in the admissions process.

How to ensure a 2020 Tax Receipt:

Gifts received or post marked by December 31 will be receipted and deductible for the year 2020. Your gift can be made in person at the office (5816 Hwy 2A, Lacombe, AB T4L 2G5), by mail, online at albertaadventist.ca, or by phoning in your credit card information (403 342 5044 - office closed Dec. 24-Jan. 3).

Lynn McDowell, JD, CSPG Director of Planned Giving | Philanthropy Alberta Conference (403) 342-5044, ext. 233