This year's Indigenous graduation ceremony will take place a little differently due to COVID-19. (2019 graduate shaking hands with Chief Clayton Pountney. Photo Courtesy, SD57)

By Veronica Beltran

virtual grad

Second Indigenous graduation ceremony goes virtual

May 14, 2020 | 11:56 AM

PRINCE GEORGE– This year’s Indigenous graduation ceremony is going virtual.

Last year, the very first Ts’udelhti–meaning We Honour, in Dakelh Lheidli dialect– graduation ceremony was hosted by School District 57 (SD57). It saw more than 80 students and their family members come together at Prince George’s Vanier Hall for a celebration of achievement and cultural identity.

However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation SD57 has made the decision to make this year’s celebration, virtual.

“We will be recognizing the grads and their journey in the best way we can in the situation we’re in right now.”–Lance Potskin, Aboriginal Education Worker

SD57’s Indigenous Education department is making a video that will seek to capture the spirit of a live ceremony. It will incorporate congratulatory speeches by Nation dignitaries, an address by a graduating student who began their year in the Head Start program, and cultural performances.

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Lheidli T’enneh folk singer, Kym Gouchie will perform at the event as well as jingle dress dancer Caitlyn McCarville, who is a grade eleven student at Duchess Park.

Graduates and new Kindergarten students are able to register for Ts’udelhti 2020, online via registration forms. The registration deadline is May 30th.

The video, which will be created using videoconferencing technology, will be available to grads and Kindergarteners in late June

The list of guest speakers is still being finalized by the School District, along with identifying the student who will address fellow graduates.