Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies

2024 Event Details | Past Celebrations | Questions

Oki, Aba wethtech, Danit'ada, Tanisi and Congratulations!

Although the signing of Treaty 7 occurred on September 22, 1877, our ancestors were connected by treaty generations before. In 1910, Mount Royal College, as it was known then, was granted a charter to begin operating as a post-secondary institution. Now, as a degree-granting institution, we graduate more than a hundred First Nation, Métis, Inuit and Non-status Indigenous students yearly.

Imagine our ancestors from that time seeing you today as graduates that have learned to walk in both the Western and Indigenous worlds — this was their hope and dreams for the seventh generation.

Every year, we want to acknowledge this momentous occasion — recognize your hard work; celebrate with you, your family and the community; and continually raise awareness of Indigenous peoples, cultures and student support throughout MRU and the greater community.

We are honoured to invite you to the Mount Royal University Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies.

Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies

You and your family are invited to participate in Mount Royal University's Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies to celebrate your accomplishments as a community.

The Iniskim Centre and Mount Royal University wish to honour you on successfully completing your degree, diploma or certificate program.

Throughout the event, you will hear celebratory messages from Elders, MRU senior leadership and Iniskim Centre staff; celebrate with traditional songs and a blanket, eagle feather or Métis sash ceremonies of your education achievement as part of your pathway to a good life.

After the ceremony, the community is invited to share stories, celebrate and get to know the people who have supported your family members during their academic careers.

Indigenous graduates have the option and are encouraged to wear traditional regalia to the ceremony in place of or in addition to the cap and gown.

Register (by May 30):

Note: To be eligible for recognition in this year's Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies, you must have met the graduation requirements for your program as of the end of spring '23, fall '23 or winter '24. Iniskim Staff will be reviewing everyone who registers to confirm that the graduation requirements have been met on time. If not, you will be notified and welcomed to next year's ceremonies so long as you have met the requirements by the end of winter '25.

Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies Photo Opportunities

Lifetouch will be set up at the Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies taking place at the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, June 11 from 12 to 4:30 p.m. Photos will be taken in order of appearance. No registration is required, and Indigenous grads will not incur the sitting fee through a Lifetouch sponsorship. Packages will be available to order approximately three weeks after the event at the grad’s expense. A proof package along with a free crossing the stage photograph will be mailed to each grad. Please make sure you confirm your address when you check-in at the welcome table.

For the Indigenous graduate portrait sessions, graduates are welcome to wear traditional and formal regalia, and family members are encouraged to join the photo session.