Monsignor McCoy high School graduates were honoured at an Indigenous graduation ceremony held earlier this week at the Medicine Hat Public Library.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Graduating students whose cultural background includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit were honoured during a traditional graduation ceremony last week at Monsignor McCoy High School.
The school’s second Indigenous Graduation Ceremony celebrated grads in a meaningful way by gifting each graduate a blanket and a hand-beaded lanyard, which they will wear as they walk across the stage this week during McCoy’s Cap and Gown Ceremony.
The ceremony that included a smudging took place at the Medicine Hat Public Library on May 13 and was organized and supported through the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education’s Indigenous wellness facilitator Josh Cross.
“You, the class of 2025, are the overcomers.’ You have overcome stereotypes, barriers, trauma and negative statistics. So stand tall and do not let anyone put you down or tell you differently,” said Cross during his address to the grads.
“I am very grateful to be able to gather in solidarity with school division and community members to celebrate the students recognized at the Monsignor McCoy High School’s Indigenous graduation ceremony,” said Heather Irvine, religious education co-ordinator. “This celebration has become a meaningful tradition for the Medicine Hat Catholic School Division.”
The ceremony was collaborated with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and also included a powerful honour song performed by Elder Charlie Fox.
