First Nation, Métis and Inuit high school graduates were honoured last week at the 20th annual Traditional Celebration of Achievement (TCOA).
The inaugural TCOA was held in 1998 when 33 graduates from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) crossed the stage.
On Thursday, May 25, 2017 the largest number of graduates were celebrated with 149 students from the Fort McMurray Public School District, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools, and Northland School Division being honoured.
Alberta Minister of Education, David Eggen attended the event.
“It is very important for us to recognize what a great idea Traditional Celebration of Achievement is. The event not only celebrates schools, but community. Congratulations graduates. Love what you do, and use it as a learning opportunity,” said Minister Eggen.
Each student crossed the stage in a traditional ceremony where they received the sacred Eagle Feather from Elder Irene Loutit, along with sweet grass which represents a symbol of cleansing and a clear vision for the future tied together with ribbons representing the four directions of life and an abalone shell.
Loutit actually founded the first TCOA in 1998 along with Fort McMurray Catholic Schools Superintendent George McGuigan.
“We began the Traditional Celebration of Achievement 20 years ago in the cafeteria at Father Mercredi High School,” said McGuigan.
“We have grown to a regional event consistently graduating 100+ students each year. We are leaders in the Province. Thank you to all of the organizers on the TCOA committee. It is inspiring to see these students cross the stage each year, receive their Eagle Feather and follow the path the Creator has laid out for them. The Fort McMurray Catholic Board of Education Trustees and Schools are proud of their success.”
This year the celebration was held at Keyano Theater with a full attendance of family and friends, teachers and community dignitaries to congratulate the graduates.
FMNI Liaison for Father Mercredi High School, Trudie-Ann Plamondon facilitated the event and ensured that every culture was well represented.
Between the students crossing the stage there was plenty of exciting traditional entertainment with Sagkeeng’s Finest, a group of three dancers who won the first season of Canada’s Got Talent, the Sila Singers, two Inuit throat singers, local traditional dancers and a hoop dancer who used a grand total of 19 hoops in his routine.
The Traditional Celebration of Achievement is a huge milestone for the Indigenous students as it promotes pride in culture and traditional teachings.
“Having their own separate ceremony is more powerful because it’s about their culture and expression on who they are and it brings the community closer together. It’s meant to embrace your education and culture at the same time,” said Plamondon.
With Canada in a period of reconciliation with it’s Indigenous peoples events like these are important for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to have as they uphold the traditional Treaty 8 values.
