Indigenous students celebrate

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This article was published 01/06/2023 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hundreds of Westman students from pre-school to post-secondary gathered to celebrate their educational achievements and their Indigenous heritage at Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre on Wednesday.

The event was a collaboration between Assiniboine Community College, Brandon University and the Brandon School Division, titled “Our Journey, Indigenous Student Graduation Celebration” to “honour students’ successes and their education,” according to BSD communications co-ordinator Terri Curtis.

“We have the little ones in pre-school who are going into kindergarten, our Grade 8s going into Grade 9, and then we have our 12s going into post-secondary and finally, our post-secondary students heading into career aspirations,” Curtis said.

Kris Desjarlais, ACC’s director of Indigenous education, said each school honours Indigenous students in their own ways, but it made sense to join forces.

“In addition to BSD, BU and ACC, we’re including the pre-school Headstart program and Seedling program. Sioux Valley High School is here, so is St. Augustine, so it is a beautiful day,” Desjarlais said as he put his hand on his heart.

Among the crowd of graduates was BU’s Megan Prince, now with a bachelor of arts degree, who said she became emotional during the grand entry while walking in with the Indigenous drummers and dancers from Sioux Valley.

Prince’s university classmate Sierra Atawacappl said she agreed and added, “I’m glad they had something for Indigenous students because I feel so comfortable being in my element.”

This is the second year in a row that the Indigenous celebration event has been held at the Riverbank Discovery Centre, but for two years prior, in 2020 and 2021, it was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were two “Our Journey” graduation ceremonies held Wednesday morning and afternoon, at the Fusion Credit Union stage.

The morning session was at capacity with more than 500 students, as well as their families, friends, fellow students and teachers from all the participating schools.

It has become more meaningful every year with bigger crowds, a sense of accomplishment and incredible support said David Docherty, president, and vice-chancellor at Brandon University.

“Watching the camaraderie between the students within each group and seeing high school graduates looking at people who are graduating from Assiniboine and thinking I can do that too, is the best possible message of all. So, it’s just a very heartwarming day,” said Docherty.

While she waited for the ceremony to begin, Grade 8 Meadows School student Morgan Wrightson said being recognized and celebrated as Indigenous meant a great deal.

“The Indigenous side of my family are in B.C, and they didn’t have the freedom to express themselves during their time in school so, I honour it, I get to come here, and have the sense of freedom and explore my culture. I really do love it,” Wrightson said.

Wearing her mother’s beaded earrings and a ribbon skirt given to her by her grandmother, Grade 8 Meadows student McKenzie Courchane said she never thought of herself as a role model.

“I feel proud of myself for going to high school, and it’s good to think that young kids are looking up to us.”

The overall message is appreciation, said spiritual leader Frank Tacan, now retired from his work as knowledge keeper at the Brandon Friendship Centre.

Tacan led the grand entry carrying an eagle feather on a flag, alongside BU chancellor Mary Jane McCallum, and he said he believes sometimes all it takes is a pat on the back to show young people that they matter.

“It just touches my heart to see this, because when I went to school, there was no appreciation, none whatsoever,” Tacan said. “When we appreciate and encourage our children and teenagers, they have the courage to stay in school, and try harder next year. We need to say, “good job, way to go” because that’s what they want to hear.”

The month of June will see full graduation ceremonies at all schools in the BSD, at ACC and BU.

Spring Convocation 2023 for BU will be held at the Healthy Living Centre today and Friday. ACC Dauphin’s graduation is scheduled for June 9, and the Brandon campus ceremony will be held June 16.

For high school graduation ceremonies, Vincent Massey’s takes place June 26, École secondaire Neelin High School’s is scheduled for June 27, and Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School is June 28.

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