Indigenous students celebrated at Graduate Honouring Ceremony

Posted on Sunday, April 28th, 2019

Indigenous graduates from a variety of post-secondary institutions in Ontario and Quebec were celebrated at the 11th annual Indigenous Graduate Honouring Ceremony, held on Saturday, April 27.

Sixty-eight students from Algonquin College, Carleton University, Cégep Heritage College, Saint Paul University, Cree School Board, La Cité, and the University of Ottawa gathered in Nawapon to celebrate their achievements, in a ceremony filled with Indigenous guest speakers, ceremonial drumming and musical performances.

“Convocation is a time to reflect on where we have come from and where we want to go. Our Indigenous learners come from across Canada and we are so proud of the incredible journey they have all made to get here today — and we know that they are all going on to do great things, here in Ottawa and back in their home communities,” said Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Algonquin’s Vice President of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization.

The evening also saw a hip-hop performance by local musician Cody Coyote, as well as guest speech by author and Indigenous Law Professor Tracey Lindburg. First Nations Elder Barbara Dumont Hill was also in attendance, leaving the graduates with words of praise and encouragement,

“I am so proud every time I come to one of these ceremonies and see all of these red sashes” Hill said to the graduates and their families. “…but what really matters is that you are proud for yourself, of what you have accomplished.”


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