Indigenous graduation celebration

BA Honours Sociology Minor Law & Society with Distinction

Concordia University's Aboriginal Student Centre played a tremendous role in my success as a student. A special heartfelt thank you to all of the staff at the Otsenhákta Student Centre who always provide a warm and welcoming family environment to anyone who walks through their doors. And of course...most of all, I will miss all of the amazingly awesome people I met here during my time at Concordia. Congratulations to everyone on this well-deserved special occasion!

BCOMM Major Management

MFA Studio Arts-Photography with Great Distinction 

www.benesiinaabandan.com

MA Religions & Cultures with Distinction 

I did not envision completing my master’s degree in a global pandemic, but then again I never imagined myself applying to a masters degree at the start of my academic career! Thank you to all those who supported and believed in me.

BCOMM Major Finance, Minor International Business

BSC Specialization Biology

Congratulations to my fellow 2021 graduates! I want to thank my family for encouraging and inspiring me to continue my post secondary studies, as well as my Aunt’s cat Boodz (pictured above) for being my emotional support these past years. I’m grateful for having the OSC around for support and community, which contributed to an amazing undergraduate experience. I will always hold Concordia dear to my heart.

MA Digital Innovations in Journalism Studies with Distinction 

I'm so grateful for my time at Concordia studying journalism. I am only here because I have the strength of my ancestors and my family on my side. Thank you to everyone who has helped me through this journey, including the many amazing teachers and classmates I've met here. Congratulations to my fellow graduates, and Kitchi-Miigwetch!

BA  English Literature with Distinction

Congrats to all my fellow graduates! Graduating during a pandemic can feel pretty isolating so I hope we all take time to celebrate in whatever ways we can. Thank you so much to everyone who made my time at Concordia so special.

BA Specialization Therapeutic Recreation

BSC Specialization Physics

BFA Major Film Production with Distinction

BA Major Communication Studies

Congrats to all the Indigenous students graduating this year! Beating a system not designed for you is challenging enough, but to do it through a pandemic is pure dedication. Keep taking up space and making noise! Your ongoing presence is valued, resilient, and sacred.

BA Major Human Relations with Distinction

BA Specialization Recreation and Leisure Studies

Congratulations to all graduates! Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me through this journey, it truly means the world to me. Nia:wen.

MA Philosophy with Distinction

Never forget that you are part of something much bigger than yourself. When you aim high, you lift up everyone around you.

MFA Studio Arts-Photography with Great Distinction 

I'd like to thank my family, friends and peers in the MFA program, Otsenhákta and beyond for their support throughout my time at Concordia, and dedicate this accomplishment to my grandmothers, without whom I could not be where and who I am today. Congratulations to all my fellow graduates! 

BA Major Philosophy, Minor Political Science

BFA Specialization Art Education-Visual Arts with Distinction 

I am proud to share this academic accomplishment with my family and ancestors of Algonquin, Innu, and métis heritage. An interwoven cultural birthright expressed in my art, and resiliently driven with the purpose of inspiring and empowering others. With this current degree and teacher certification, I am furthermore confident to support Indigenous youth and encourage their critical thinking beyond proverbial boxes.

BENGC Mechanical Engineering (Co-op) with Distinction

MSc Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies

BA Major Communication Studies

BCOMM Major Business Technology Management

Congratulations to all my fellow indigenous graduates! I am very grateful to my family, friends, and teachers for all their support they have given me throughout my studies.

MA Applied Linguistics with Distinction

At Concordia, I've discovered a passion for linguistics and second language acquisition which have greatly helped me in my own journey of relearning the language of my ancestors, Kanien'kéha. With my knowledge in linguistics, I hope to be able to support all the amazing language activists & teachers back home. It was a journey that I will never forget.

MFA Individualized Program in Social Science

BA Major Sociology

BCOMM Major International Business Major Finance

First of all, congratulations to all of my fellow OSC graduates and best of luck in your professional pursuits! History was tailored against our ancestors and us, yet here we stand, educated and strong. I would like to dedicate a special thank you to my parents, for their unconditional support during these years, and to the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, for believing in my academic abilities and sponsoring my studies. MIIGWECH!

MA Art Education

MA Thesis Art History with Great Distinction

Congratulations to fellow graduates! I’d like to acknowledge my family, life partner Janay Fox, thesis supervisor Heather Igloliorte, and colleagues and mentors from the Department of Art History. A sincere and heartfelt thank you for your continued support and encouragement. 

BENG Electrical Engineering

BA Major First Peoples Studies 

I have been on my education journey since moving here in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal nine years ago. I appreciate all the people who supported me while studying. Big thank you to my spouse, Sebastien for being there through the ups and downs! I will be continuing in the MA Individualized Program.

BA Specialization Psychology Minor Education

I greatly appreciate Concordia for giving me all the opportunities I have experienced over the course of my degree.

BFA Major Studio Arts

I'm glad I pushed myself to continue working on my education. I not only thought about what my future career could be once I finished university but what doors might open up for me.

MFA Studio Arts-Sculpture/Ceramics with Great Distinction 

Nico Williams, ᐅᑌᒥᐣ is an Anishinaabe multidisciplinary artist from Aamjiwnaang First Nation. His studio practice is based in Tiohtià:ke| Mooniyang| Montréal. 

Nico recently exhibited work at The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal as apart of a group exhibition. He also facilitated and presented a community-based project at the PHI Foundation.  

Nico uses beadwork to create experimental forms and create a dialogue with his own experiences of being NDN. His work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally and is in numerous public collections. 

MDES Thesis Design with Distinction 

Nyà:wę nwaʔnè·ruʔ! Thank you, my friends! It has been a great pleasure spending time in Tio’tià:ke, with my Kanien’kehá:ka relatives on the other end of the Akunęhsyę̀·niʔ longhouse. It was wonderful connecting with so many supportive ękwehę̀·we. I wish you all the best as I continue my journey at Skarù·ręʔ Kayetá·kreh.    Ęθké·ʔkeʔ díhsne ahskę́:ne.

Skarù·ręʔ Kayetá·kreh means the place where the Tuscarora people live.  "Ęθké·ʔkeʔ díhsne ahskę́:ne" is saying to "have peace until I see you again".