‘Our Journey’ celebrates Indigenous grads

A specialist for Indigenous education says role models are key to the Our Journey celebration that brought 200 graduates to the Keystone Centre in Brandon on Friday.

It is vital for the younger students to see their older peers achieving success at different levels of education, Brandon School Division Indigenous education learning specialist Raven Willoughby told the Sun on Friday.

Willoughby said the sixth annual Our Journey event, bringing together graduates from various schools, fills a gap for Indigenous students.

“For so many years, we’ve had misrepresentation or underrepresentation of Indigenous people in education systems and higher education systems,” she said. “This day is a great way for our younger generation to see their older generation having success at different levels of education.

“If we don’t present that as an opportunity to them, then they don’t set that as a goal.”

The celebration at the Keystone Centre brought students from all age groups together, recognizing Indigenous graduates of preschool, kindergarten, Grade 8, Grade 12 and post-secondary programs.

Students were recognized from Brandon Friendship Centre’s Seedlings and Little Teaching Lodge, Brandon School Division, Sioux Valley High School, Assiniboine College and Brandon University.

A larger crowd attended compared to last year, which was great to see, Willoughby said. The number of graduates was about the same as last year.

Jackson Fleury, a Grade 12 student set to graduate next month from Vincent Massey High School, said he attended for the community value.

“I think it’s important for Indigenous people to get together and celebrate the success of other Indigenous students,” he said.

The accomplishments are worth recognizing, especially in order to promote education and support each other, he said. Events like Our Journey help to increase Indigenous involvement in education — and that involvement is getting better, he added.

“I think we’re doing pretty good.”

Priscilla Benn, a grandmother, attended the event with five grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Sienna, lit up with a smile when she was gifted a bouquet of flowers for her kindergarten graduation.

“It’s very joyful day,” Priscilla said. “I’ve seen my oldest daughter graduate, and that was years ago. And now, to see my granddaughter graduate, is great as well.”

The other grandchildren “wanted to come” and show support for the family, she said, calling the event a positive experience for them and the students they are supporting.

“They are moving on to the next chapter. And that’s what you want to see. Education is very important — letting them know that.”

Mayor Jeff Fawcett was one of several dignitaries from the community to shake hands with the Indigenous graduates through the morning in a single-file line.

“It’s great to see — young students seeing older students graduate. You need to see yourself,” he said.

“Kudos to the school division for the work they have done for the last number of years” organizing the event, he added.

The celebration was moved to the Keystone Centre as a rain location after it was originally planned for the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Willoughby said the event builds in culture from Indigenous people with features not seen in traditional graduation ceremonies. A drum circle, as well as singing, dancing and Indigenous attire, coloured the event — as well as an agenda guided by Indigenous concepts and culture, she said.

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com