Dakota is a student at the Ohahase Learning Centre in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. With the help of the Skills Link Program, he was able to finish his high school education, gain job skills and enrol in post-secondary education in aviation.
Dakota: The Skills Link Program was very important to me as I have been in high school for a little longer than usual and it really gave me the opportunity to finish as well as to get more job experience. It helps a lot and adds to my resume. I'd say that it defines you in the work experience, and it allowed me to come to this college here.
Sandy Brant: I'm Sandy Brant, I'm the principal here at the Ohahase Education Centre in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Dakota was in our group last January to June. I didn't know that he had aspirations to be a pilot, and I learned that later in the program. He is a determined young man, and he is a really good role model for the rest of the students in the program, as well as people who are looking at Ohahase as a place to come to school.
Dakota: A student here by the name of Dakota (actually the same name as mine) offered me to go up in a plane. So I said "ok, why not?" And sure enough, we went up, were up for about half an hour or so, got back down and that's when I decided I wanted to do that, too. After I decided that, I started looking into the program myself. I'm actually from the territory here myself and the program is open to all of our aboriginals. However, in recent years it hasn't actually had somebody from the territory so I thought it would be good for both me and the program. Last September I got accepted into the program. It was a good moment. After I started the program, it was a bit fast paced at first, but it was good, and I actually started flying on my second day of the college. Mind you, not a lot of flying, mostly just straight, but it was a good feeling.