FNMI grad gear given cultural flair
By LAUREN THOMSON
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on June 18, 2021.
Sharaya Hill, a Medicine Hat High School graduate, shows off her specially made beaded tassel and cord, which was made by a group of women hoping to give First Nations, Métis and Inuit grads a little bit of their own heritage and culture in their graduation outfits.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com
First Nations, Métis and Inuit graduates of the Medicine Hat public high schools will be able to celebrate their culture proudly, along with their academic achievements, as they receive diplomas in the coming weeks.
Three graduates – Chloe Kequahtooway and Aiden Vermette from Crescent Heights High School, and Sharaya Hill from Medicine Hat High School – “envisioned a graduation where they could incorporate important pieces of their school culture with their First Nations heritage,” Shirley Boomer, FNMI support worker, said in an email to the News.
“The MHPSD 76 FNMI Education Program embraces this opportunity to gift the FNMI graduates with a beaded cord and beaded tassel to honour their achievement,” Boomer said. “There are unique struggles to being an Indigenous student. The tassels and cords are in celebration of their achievement.”
Boomer says one of the original plans was for each student to wear a special shirt, but they would be covered by the graduation gown, so students and FNMI workers came up with the new idea. They will look quite similar to the regular tassels and cords worn by other graduates, but will have a distinct nod to the FNMI graduates’ culture.
“It’s cool that they’re similar because it’s that representation of family, that we can come together, wear it and be proud” said Megan Spalding, a 2021 graduate of MHHS, who is of Métis heritage.
Boomer explained that after the plan for tassels and cords was set, she and her colleagues, Darrell Willier, FNMI co-ordinator, and support worker Morgan Muir set about designing and making the first set.
“Darrell and Morgan and I worked on the design,” said Boomer. “I’m the beader of the group, but it was fun to get them beading, too. The tassels and cords are made in the colours of the two different high schools, Crescent Heights is blue and white and Medicine Hat High is emerald green and white.”
There are 18 FNMI graduates at MHHS and 11 at CHHS. The bulk of the project was completed by Boomer and five other Indigenous women in the community; Sophie Colehouse, Pat Acher, Brenda Mercer, Jennifer Bowles and Kayanna Desjarlais, who each received an Elders honorarium in compensation for their work, Boomer indicated.
“For me personally, I feel very proud of all the Indigenous graduates this year,” said Brenda Mercer, one of the beaders. “To be able to create something with the other ladies that they’re going to have for life, to mark an achievement, that was so humbling. I felt really honoured to be able to do that for them.”
Mercer shared more about her beading and how she approaches each project.
“Every time I bead, I think about my ancestors; what did they bead, how did they bead … and then I also think about my children and grandchildren, the people that will be beading in the future. I really try to think about seven generations, including those who are graduating who are very important,” Mercer said. “When I bead, I do it with good intention for the wearer and with love. If I ever get frustrated, I put that piece down and walk away and then I come back to it again later.”
Willier, Muir and Boomer have been able to deliver most of the gifts to the grads. The reception from the students has been wonderful so far, Boomer said.
“I got mine, it’s at home hanging up already,” said Spalding. “They look gorgeous. I cried when I got mine because it’s just so beautiful, and it was super kind and amazing that they were able to do that for us.”
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