Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses across the province are celebrating the achievements of Indigenous students throughout the month of March with local honour ceremonies, with Moose Jaw campus gathering it’s students on Mar. 10.
The Indigenous honour ceremony took place in the Macoun Lounge on campus, with a catered supper and award presentation that followed.
This year, 45 Indigenous students registered to take part in the ceremony, said Indigenous Strategy coordinator Deanna Speidel, out of the 195 students who have declared Indigenous ancestry on campus.
“[This event] honours Indigenous students' achievements and is in celebration of upcoming convocation and the milestone of finishing their program area at Sask Polytech,” said Speidel. “It's an opportunity to bring Indigenous students together at all four of our campuses to celebrate those achievements.”
After an honour song and the Treaty 4 Flag song by Regina Indigenous Strategy advisor Aaron Tootoosis and the Métis national anthem, those gathered enjoyed a meal blessed by Elder Gerry Stonechild.
Lieutenant Governor Russel Mirasty — the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and the first person of Indigenous descent to hold the position — began the ceremony, speaking to the students about the importance of their decision to pursue secondary education.
“It takes a lot of courage to go to that next level, and I encourage you to make sure that you keep your goals in mind and stay motivated to complete your program and path that you've set for yourselves," said Mirasty.
Students gathered also heard from Speidel, fellow Polytech student Russell McCullum, and vice-president of Advancement and International Patricia Bowron.
Sask Polytech has been hosting honour ceremonies since 1990, where family members, community members, elders, and friends are welcome to join the students in celebrating their hard work and perseverance.
The honour ceremonies are one of the ways the institution implements its Indigenous Student Success Strategy, which is focused on miyo wahkohtowin — “good relations” — and works to remove barriers to success and incorporate Indigenous ways and thinking into the Polytech experience.
“[This strategy] just reflects how far we've come, as a society and certainly as a community here in Saskatchewan, in recognizing the importance of Indigenous people, our history and how we can be contributing members of this province and this country,” said Mirasty, in his address. “For too long, that was discounted, and I know the tide is changing and that's because of people like you here, whether your students or supports or instructors.”
Moose Jaw has been hosting its own honour ceremony on campus for 12 years now, and students appreciate the chance to celebrate their own accomplishments as they move into the workforce.
