THUNDER BAY -- Hundreds of students from Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities had orientation Thursday at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.
The Grade 9 students have only been in Thunder Bay for a few weeks and are adjusting to a new life.
It's the start of a new school year and many of these first nations students will need more people to stand by them because their loved ones are very far away.
Many of these students are from northern reserve communities that are not big enough to have a high school.
Coming to a new city presents extra challenges.
Acting Principal Sharon Angeconeb said to someone coming from a small community Thunder Bay is huge.
“One of the best reasons why we have the student orientation is that they get to see all the people who are here to support them.”
Although they haven't been applied yet, Deputy Grand Chief of NAN Derek Fox said he is optimistic about the recommendations that were formed after the Inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations students in Thunder Bay.
“I think it created an awareness in our city, among First Nations and non-First Nations,” Fox said.
“We don’t want any more loss of life.”
Angeconeb said she feels that the majority of students feel safe in the city.
(TBT News)
