Indigenous Sask. students make the grade

More than 200 students from the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) took the podium in Saskatoon to receive their diplomas.

This cohort marks the 40th time a group of students has graduated from SIIT. The training and education institution has been around since 1976, with campuses across Saskatchewan.

"Their education will help better their life, their family's life, their community's life and ultimately very much better the province," said Scott Moe, Minister of Advanced Education.

It was a particularly emotional moment being up on the stage at Prairieland Park for Cora Keshane of Keeseekoose First Nation. The 71-year-old graduated with a diploma from the addictions program.

Keshane knows the cycle of addiction - not only did she lose her her husband to alcoholism, she suffered from it herself.

"It's better to stay sober," she said. "It's better to help yourself and not depend on anybody to look after you."

Keshane credits her much younger classmates for helping her make it through the two-year program.

"They're my anchors, they really helped me, they stood beside if I didn't understand anything," she said. They took my hand and helped me."