'Possibilities are endless': Louis Bull Tribe women graduate from accelerated esthetics program
A small but emotional graduation ceremony was held in west Edmonton Tuesday as 15 women from the Louis Bull Tribe received their diplomas in essential aesthetics.
The nine-week accelerated program was part of a pilot project and a partnership between the First Nation, the Alberta government and the Alberta Academy of Aesthetics.
"I'm ecstatic and I'm very, very proud of these ladies. This was a very, very combined and compact program within nine weeks that should have been done within a year," program coordinator Ally Bull told CTV News Edmonton.
"They are role models to our youth and to others that are going to be seeking [work in] that type of industry."
The graduates took courses in waxing, brows, lashes and gel nails. They also learned how to give manicures and pedicures.
Louis Bull Tribe is currently building a casino and resort along Highway 2 south of Edmonton where some of the women plan to work.
Natasha Rabbit received her certification Tuesday. She wants to be her own boss and said completing the program was about much more than building a new career.
"Just learning to love ourselves more, especially for us First Nations women, it's really empowering when you finally get to be able to show how much you love yourself," Rabbit explained.
"The possibilities are endless as long as we put our hearts and our minds to it."
Rabbit said the course was tough, but she's happy she completed it and is proud of her fellow graduates.
"We were determined to just learn. Like, we took it all in. The instructors were constantly telling us how amazed they were with how into it we were and how much we wanted to learn," Rabbit said.
A traditional smudging ceremony with the chief and elders was held before the graduates walked across the stage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.