By Derek Cornet

First inductees announced for CCHS Wall of Honour

Jun 6, 2018 | 2:00 PM

A former MLA, a university professor, an accomplished athlete and a filmmaker were the first individuals to be inducted into Churchill Community High School’s Wall of Honour.

A special ceremony was held at the school earlier today to officially introduce the first four inductees to students and staff. Those chosen for the honour were nominated earlier this year and they are University of Saskatchewan professor Sarah Gauthier, former track athlete Dani Ivanochko, the late Norman MacAuley, and production company owner Anand Ramayya.

“So many of the accomplishments I’ve had really are attributed to the time my teachers and coaches devoted to my success,” Ivanochko, who earned a sports scholarship to attend university, said. “They took time away from their families, kids and hobbies, but they took the time to spend with us just so we could have a chance to stand at the podium.”

After leaving Churchill, Ivanochko used her scholarship to earn a degree in computer information systems. She was also a 2001 champion at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s ASUN Conference Championship.

Gauthier, who is the first Lac La Ronge Indian Band member to earn a masters degree in civil engineering, was also able to attend the ceremony. She co-founded the engineering consulting company Missinipi Water Solutions and was the winner of the first Northern Science Fair at Churchill in 1992. Looking back, Gauthier said the science fair was instrumental but added there were people who planted seeds along the way.

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“The world needs to see your uniqueness because that’s how you’ll shine,” she said. “As you move through your teenage years… high school and your career, remember that the world needs diversity.”

MacAuley, who was an attendee of All Saints School, walked from La Ronge to Prince Albert at the outbreak of the Second World War to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. He was also the first person to speak Cree in the Saskatchewan Legislature, and was instrumental in the founding of locally controlled schools and the Northern Lights School Division. MacAuley was an NDP MLA for Cumberland from 1975 to 1982.

Ramayya is a past president of the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association and mentors young Saskatchewan filmmakers. A Gemini award winner, his production company Karmafilm produces Wapos Bay on APTN and the documentary Cosmic Current about growing up in La Ronge. Ramayya was a student at the Northern Professional Access College.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 9:07 a.m. to remove a reference to McAuley as a residential school survivor.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno