Surrey Schools brings First Nations and families together through Indigenous Honouring Ceremony
Powwow dancers from multiple first nations led Indigenous Grade 12 students to last month's Indigenous Honouring Ceremony, celebrating their culture and achievements in their final year with Surrey Schools. (Photo by Jacob Zinn)
The district continues to recognize Indigenous Grade 12 students through the long-standing Indigenous Honouring Ceremony, highlighting their academic achievements and culture as they finish their time with Surrey Schools.
For more than two decades, the annual ceremony has brought together Indigenous students to mark the end of their final year in an intimate evening with their families and loved ones. This year, 148 students were recognized, celebrating with food and traditional drumming and dancing last month at the Aria Convention Centre.
“We’ve had many honouring ceremonies but they’ve kind of looked different over the years,” said Lyn Daniels, Director of Instruction with Indigenous Learning. “When I started, they were more like the typical graduation ceremonies with the cap and gown, but we wanted it more to focus on families, for the families to celebrate with us as an Indigenous community.”
While the district resides on the traditional, unceded and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples – the Katzie, Kwantlen and Semiahmoo First Nations – Daniels noted many of the Indigenous students hailed from different First Nations from across Canada.
She added the ceremony is one of a handful of events that brings Indigenous people of all walks together, alongside National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
“This is one of only a few times that we all come together as an Indigenous community to honour and celebrate the achievements of our youth,” she said.
The ceremony integrated Coast Salish traditions by covering each student with a blanket and headband and honouring them while standing on cedar boughs. The evening also included performances by the Wild River drum group of the Kwantlen First Nation, and a student procession led by powwow dancers from different First Nations.
Additionally, Daniels said students have gradually incorporated more of their own Indigenous culture into their outfits over the years, such as decorated grad caps, ribbon skirts and their own unique blankets.
“There is a lot more pride in terms of the students bringing and including their regalia in the ceremony,” she said. “It’s really nice to see that they have pride in who they are and are proud to bring those regalia into the ceremony.”
Daniels said the response from families has been overwhelming, with students and parents alike feeling the depth of the recognition in honouring their culture, history and accomplishments.
“Walking around the room, you can hear their gratitude,” she said. “They were so appreciative to be able to be there and have dinner together and just take in the whole evening.
“It is a truly meaningful way to honour their educational journey.”
