Algonquin College Celebrates Indigenous Graduates at Honouring Ceremony

Posted on Monday, May 1st, 2023

Indigenous graduates from Ottawa-area post-secondary institutions, including Algonquin College, were celebrated on Saturday, April 29, during the Indigenous Graduate Honouring Ceremony (IGHC) at the Canadian Museum of History.

Students from Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cité and the University of Ottawa gathered at the museum’s Grand Hall to celebrate their achievements in a ceremony which included Indigenous guest speakers, ceremonial drumming and musical performances.

Eric Johnson, Manager of the Mamidosewin Centre at Algonquin College, Claudette Commanda, Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, and Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth, were among the invited speakers. Kahente Horn-Miller and Darren Sutherland acted as the Masters of Ceremonies for the event.

The Eagle River Singers drum group provided an honour song for graduates as they entered the ceremony space. The evening also saw a performance by Inuk DJ Uyarakq.

Two graduates, Randy Kakegamick and Paula Macdonald, spoke about their academic and personal journeys during the ceremony. These speakers were community-nominated and selected.

“Inspiration may come from your peers, look beside you. Success is within you all,” said Kakegamick.

More than 100 graduates, 40 from Algonquin College, took centre stage among elders and other invited community representatives during the Honouring Ceremony to acknowledge their accomplishments. Algonquin College Indigenous Counsellor Jackie Tenute provided the closing prayer.

“Algonquin College takes immense pride in the successes of the Indigenous learners that walk through our doors,” said AC President and CEO Claude Brulé. “We are thrilled and deeply humbled to have played a small part in the lives of these wonderful students and the accomplishments that received recognition during the ceremony.”

Algonquin College thanks the IGHC organizing committee and its partner institutions, and acknowledges all the graduates, their families and all the work and support that helped make this ceremony possible.


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