Schools hold special graduation ceremonies for Indigenous graduates

As part of their broader graduation and convocation ceremonies, K–12 and postsecondary schools across the country held special ceremonies and cultural events to honour their Indigenous graduates. The Calgary Board of Education, K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No 83, and McMaster University were among the many institutions that hosted special Indigenous graduation ceremonies. Assiniboine College, the Brandon School Division, and Brandon University co-hosted an Indigenous graduation ceremony to celebrate the community as a whole. These events often included speeches or blessings from members of the local community—such as Chiefs and Council members—and cultural elements such as a pipe ceremony (Brandon) or dancing (Brandon, McMaster). Several of the celebrations included special gifts for graduates: CBE graduates were gifted hand-sewn graduation stoles, McGill University held a Scarf Ceremony where graduates were given a scarf designed by Tammy Beauvais (Kanien’kehá:ka, Kahnawà:ke) and Michael Yellowhair (Navajo); and Vancouver Island University graduates received a blanket designed by Stuart Pagaduan (Snuneymuxw and Qwu’utsun’ nations).