FORT TOTTEN, N.D.– It was an emotional time, a time to reflect on what had happened in the past 40 plus years for this Spirit Lake tribal member. George McDonald  walked away from the ravages of alcohol to accomplish something no one dreamed he would do.  He graduated from college.

McDonald–uncle, grandpa, and friend– was watched for many years by other tribal members who felt he was slowly killing himself.  Caught in a life of heartache and desperation while suffering from alcoholism, McDonald was often seen walking the streets of Devils Lake looking for the all-important “shot” that would take him through the day. McDonald, or “MaGoo,” as he is affectionately known around the reservation, had almost drunk himself to death.

Last May, however, McDonald proved that those days were behind him. He received his degree in office technology from United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in Bismarck, N.D. McDonald set his educational goal after being hospitalized in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1997.  “I was laying there thinking about my life going to waste,” he said. So upon his release from the hospital McDonald entered a treatment facility in Winnebago, Neb., for four weeks to clean himself out.  He then enrolled at UTTC in August 1997.

Going back to school as an adult is sometimes difficult. McDonald, however, said he knew what to expect since he had attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. While attending UTTC, George threw himself into his studies. His hard work paid off when he was named to the 1998-1999 Who’s Who among American Junior Colleges list. McDonald received several awards at the annual UTTC awards banquet, making the All-American Scholars lists and the 1998 Fall Semester-President’s List, which requires a 3.5 grade point average. The honors brought pride not only to himself but also to his people on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation.

Many family members attended the graduation ceremonies to watch McDonald receive his diploma, and fellow graduates who knew his story greeted him with cheers and war-whoops. He was proud to accomplish what others said was impossible. Guest speakers praised all the graduates.  “One in 10 in Indian Country is doing what you students are doing today, graduating!” stated Dr. Janine Pease-Pretty On Top, the first woman of Crow descent to achieve her doctorate. She said that today our warriors go to battle for their tribes with education, to make life good for their people.

That’s exactly what McDonald is doing. Eventually, he may transfer to Valley City State College to finish a bachelor’s degree. However, after graduation, the Spirit Lake Tribe asked him to help set up a tribal road department to deal with flooding caused by the Spirit Lake.

McDonald’s advises young people to go to school and stay there to get a good education. “If you want to change your life you have to make up your mind and do it,” he said. McDonald fulfilled his dream, a dream that started on the streets many winters before. His dream took him to life’s edge and then back to the top.

Tino White is the managing editor of the Dakotah News and a member of the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation. He has worked as a journalist for 12 years. Reprinted with permission from Dakotah News.