Going Back to School by Raimey Pasqua

 

 

Raimey Pasqua on the far right with Oski-pimohtahtamwak Otayisiniwiwaw graduates

Michael Cardinal and Skyler Cyr after presenting to the University of Regina

Treaty Education Class last March

Going back to school is something I’ve thought really hard about this past summer. I wasn’t really sure about what I wanted to do. I had two choices: I could keep working and make money, which sounded pretty good or I could go back to school and get my diploma, which is something I and my family really wanted for me. My mom and dad didn’t get their high school diploma, so that really put a lot of pressure on me to get mine.

I’ve been in grade twelve for almost three years now, and I don’t think it’s because I couldn’t do it; I think it was just a lack of motivation. I’ve dropped out of school twice already, and believe me, I’m not proud of it; I regretted it each time I did.

I’ve never really been someone to ask for help or ask for guidance, because it made me feel weak or that I wasn’t as good as anyone else. But recently I’ve been more open to asking questions and getting feedback on what I’ve been doing and working on. I’ve learned that it is okay to ask for help, because everyone needs help in life, whether it be at work, at school, or just in everyday life. It never hurts to ask for help. Everyone struggles in life and instead of giving up like I did, it’s always best just to ask someone for a little advice and guidance because you never know what kind of advice they might give you.

They might even say something that will have a great impact on you. For example, I recently had someone tell me that “no matter your age or what you’re going through, God has a plan for everyone, but he can’t do it for you, he can only show you the path to take and it’s up to you if you want to walk down that path or stagger off of it. I hope you walk down the good path my friend.” We talked a lot longer and he gave me so much more advice about school, life, relationships and health, and I was glad I took the time to talk to him and listen to what he had to say.

His stories and advice really made me think about what I wanted to do, so I made the decision to go back to school and get my diploma. I know it’s only the beginning of the school year but I’m completely dedicated to getting my grade twelve as it will open up many doors for me in life. After I’m done school I really want to get my heavy equipment operators so I could drive and operate heavy machinery. It looks really fun, plus I hear its good pay and I don’t have to blow my back out working my butt off for lower pay. Although I prefer working outdoors and hands on, I think I’d really enjoy operating those big machines every day. In the end I hope it all pays off, and I hope to enjoy what I do until the day I can retire.