December 1, 2009
Former logger turned UFV student wins Canada Post award
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Reid Peters
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Scholarly pursuits such as graduating from high school and beyond turned out to be a short-lived aspiration for Reid Peters. Instead, Peters excelled at the school of hard knocks, which culminated in workplace injury. His options limited, Peters could have easily thrown in the towel. But rather than give up, the former residential school student and high school drop-out bounced back to become a winner of this year’s Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award.
When most teenagers were thinking of going to the prom, Reid Peters was supervising a crew of six loggers when he was 17 years old. As a hook tender, Peters was responsible for harvesting timber from the woods to a landing in a safe, productive manner. In the fall of 2007, he was on the job walking on a steep hillside, lost his footing, and ended up with a disabled left arm. The accident prevented him from going back to his regular job in the logging industry or taking other jobs where two strong arms are needed.
As a result, the Seabird Island First Nation student made a decision to return to school after a 45-year absence. The transition from the forest to the classroom was difficult but Peters persevered and is now working toward earning a diploma in Social Services (with First Nations option) from the University of the Fraser Valley. He first came to UFV to take computer and English courses offered by the Upgrading and University Preparation department. As the top student in his English 081 class, it is not surprising that the essay he wrote about his educational journey helped earn him this award.
Reid Peters will be presented with his award on:
Thursday, December 3
10 a.m.
University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack campus
45635 Yale Road
S'olh Shxwlèlí - Aboriginal Resource Centre (Building G)
Making the presentation of a $1,000 cheque will be Mike Farrer, Canada Post’s Local Area Manager. “I am very impressed by Mr. Peter’s determination and courage to go back to school after all the challenges he’s had to deal with in his life,” said Farrer. “He is an inspiration and should be commended for all that he has achieved.”
Peters is one of 20 recipients of the award from across Canada. Other recipients from the Pacific Region are from Agassiz, Chilliwack, Nanaimo, and Victoria. The awards celebrate the motivation and determination of those who have conquered personal, economic or social adversity in the pursuit of learning.
$1,000 awards are given to individuals who have returned to and successfully completed one full year of high school and to individuals who have successfully completed one full-year of post-secondary education, including vocational or skills training. Canada Post would like to congratulate Reid Peters for all that he has achieved.
Read Reid Peter's essay submission.
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For more information:
Lillian Au
Corporate Communications
Canada Post – Vancouver
Tel: 604-662-1388
Kim Lawrence
University of the Fraser Valley
Tel: 604-864-4611
kim.lawrence@ufv.ca
