By Mary Ann Lyons, Indigenous Student Advisor and part-time faculty
This year, for the first time, SLC Indigenous Services hosted pre-Convocation celebrations for Indigenous graduates and their guests in Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall.
Education has always been of paramount importance to Indigenous people. Many Indigenous people face unique challenges in their education journey, however, which is why it is so gratifying to see the success that is evident among our 2023 graduates.
Each graduate in attendance at one of the celebrations received a “bundle” of tools for the next part of their life’s journey. These tools were contained in a ribbon bag and included a smudge kit, a package of specially designed thank you cards as a means of expressing gratitude, a Medicine Wheel pin, and other items.
A traditional blanket ceremony was also part of the event. Students chose a blanket from among five traditional designs (or the blanket chose them!) and were wrapped in it by two members of our SLC family. Feasting and socializing followed the ceremony.
These celebrations were enjoyed and appreciated by all attendees, and we anticipate that they will be held annually and grow in magnitude!
Many of our Indigenous graduates proudly wore their regalia to Convocation ceremonies, with some including the blanket they received at their pre-convocation celebration.
“Indigenous Services was thrilled to host our first pre-convocation celebration to honour the remarkable achievements of our graduating class of 2023,” said Shirley Chaisson, Indigenous Student Advisor, Cornwall/Brockville and Shannon Hall, Educational Developer/Curriculum Consultant of Indigenous Ways of Knowing & Being.
“Evening celebrations began with a wonderful and personal Land Acknowledgment from Richard Wiggers, Cornwall Campus Dean, followed by encouraging comments and future insight for our graduates shared by Ross McMillan, Director of Student Services.
Our keynote speaker for the night was Norma Sunday, the Associate Director, Post-Secondary & Continuing Education for Iohahi:io. She shared personal life experiences and linked those experiences with inspiring words of wisdom, sprinkled with humour. Excellent food and fantastic conversations led to the finale of the night…our Blanket Ceremony.
Each student was ‘gifted a blanket’. Bestowing a blanket to mark big achievements is a cultural practice shared among many different Indigenous communities. Historically, it was common to use blankets in trade, to give as gifts, and to record community history. For some, blankets hold deep meaning and traditions linked to birth, life, and death. Blankets were and continue to be elemental in ceremonial practices for Indigenous peoples and are integral to ceremonial celebrations such as weddings, naming, coming of age and puberty rights, to name a few.
As our Indigenous spirits re-emerge with the promise of sustaining our culture, languages, systems, and identity, it is with utmost compassion and sincere honor that we recognize the indomitable spirit and resilience of our Indigenous students who have overcome unique challenges and barriers on their educational journey. With deep admiration, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to these exceptional individuals, paying tribute to their rich cultural heritage and invaluable contributions to our academic community.”
In Kingston, Ross McMillan, Director of Student Services, Engagement, and Libraries started the evening off in a good way with a personal and meaningful Land Acknowledgement. Shelley Aylesworth-Spink, Vice President of Student Affairs/Student Success, brought words of congratulation and encouragement on behalf of the College Executive Team, and Liz Gorman, Director of Alumni and Development, was on hand to offer support and assistance throughout the evening.
Graduates were presented with their bundle by Ross, and then wrapped in their blanket by Shelley and Liz. The blankets are symbolic of the relationship shared by the students and the College; we are grateful for the opportunity given to us by these resilient and dedicated people to be part of their stories during their time with us. The intermingling of personal stories makes us all who we are as people.
We urge our Indigenous graduates to go forth and be an example to everyone they meet, to share their culture in their workplaces and beyond, and to proudly create an Indigenous presence with their many amazing gifts as they continue their life’s journey. Congratulations on the successful achievement of this milestone to graduates, their families, and their communities!
We offer our gratitude to Terry McGinn and her staff at St. Larry’s Pub for creating a welcoming atmosphere for us, with Indigenous music, a sumptuous feast, an impeccable service.