Six local residents were honoured at a ceremony on February 17, 2026, after graduating from an Educational Assistant (EA) certificate program in Garden Hill, Manitoba. The new graduates are now prepared to work in local classrooms where they will provide academic and behavioural support to students. This training was completed through a partnership between Garden Hill First Nation, University College of the North, and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC).
These new staff members will help teachers by giving extra attention to students who need help with their schoolwork or their behaviour in class. Having locally trained assistants is a major step for the remote, fly-in community located on the shores of Island Lake about 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. By hiring people from the community, the school can ensure that students receive help from staff who share their language and background.
The program was run through MFNERC’s Training Institute, which helps First Nations people get a post-secondary education without having to move away from home. This model of learning addresses the need for more trained staff in northern areas while also creating new jobs for local residents. The goal of the program is to support people who want to stay in their home communities for the long term.
The graduation ceremony marks a successful effort to build a stronger school system within the community. These six graduates will now play a key role in helping local youth succeed in their daily studies and ensuring teachers have the support they need.
