Pow wow and jamboree honour culture, community and student success
For the first time, Prairie Rose School Division (PRSD) held an Indigenous graduation celebration on June 6, honouring students from across the division with a day filled with culture, community and pride.
The 2025 Celebration Pow Wow & Jamboree, hosted at St. Laurent School, brought together Indigenous, Métis and First Nations graduates for a ceremony that blended traditional teachings, performances and heartfelt words of encouragement.
Master of Ceremonies Ray “Coco” Stevenson opened the event by introducing members who performed a Pipe Ceremony—a sacred practice used by many Indigenous cultures to connect with the Creator, spirit world and nature. It is often used to seek blessings, mark intentions or ask for guidance.
Coco encouraged attendees to live by circle teachings and treat others with respect. “Never turn your backs on anybody and never leave anyone in the background,” he said. “Be respectful to others and to Mother Earth and the spirits that protect the land.”
He reminded graduates of the importance of using their voices with intention. “Choose your words right,” he said. “Speak from the heart and don’t take that gift for granted.”
Music by the St. Laurent Fiddlers and dancing by the Little Bitty Steppers and Interlake Steppers followed, leading into a ceremonial Grand Entry. Graduates were led in by flag bearers St. Laurent Reeve Richard Chartrand and Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson, dignitaries and PRSD members with drumming by Sons of the Drum and Walking Wolf.
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized both the personal and collective meaning of the milestone—celebrating individual accomplishments while advancing reconciliation and Indigenous visibility in education.
“Life is too precious and personal to follow someone else’s path—you must take the lead to find what success looks like for you,” said PRSD board chair Ashley Lachance. “Not a single person here has travelled the same path to get to this moment. You all come with different circumstances, experiences, aptitudes and passions—and when you leave here today, you will all take different paths again. You will have the joy of making this life uniquely yours.”
MLA Derek Johnson urged graduates to embrace the power of their voice, vote and values.
“Success isn’t just about your school achievement; it is about lifting others as we rise,” he said. “Your future is unwritten, but your potential is limitless.”
He also acknowledged the families and educators who supported the graduates along their journeys. “It is their celebration as well,” he added.
Manitoba’s Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt brought greetings on behalf of the provincial government. She encouraged students to take pride in the moment and remember the community behind them.
“None of us gets to where we are in life on our own,” she said. “We get there with our family, with our community, with our educators—the people that love and care about us. Take that into your future and think about how you can use all the gifts you have been given in your life, and how you can create community and opportunity for other people as you go on into your journey of life.”
Schmidt also acknowledged the broader context, noting the ongoing wildfire evacuations and environmental challenges facing many First Nations and rural communities across the province.
Each graduate was introduced and presented with a certificate and special gift. For many, the ceremony marked more than the end of high school—it was a public affirmation of identity and belonging.
Coco closed the celebration with a final reflection on growth and purpose. “Sometimes we walk back, sometimes we stand still—but the important thing is that we walk together, with intention and grace.”
As the final honour song echoed through the gym, families and community members lined up to congratulate each graduate. The energy in the room was one of hope, pride and possibility.
Plans are already underway to make the Indigenous grad celebration an annual event. Organizers say they hope to build on the success of this year’s gathering and continue creating space for Indigenous students to be seen, supported and celebrated.
Graduates included:
From St. Laurent School: Maciej Adamski, Breyden Allard, Kenyon Boudreau, Isaac Chartrand, Jewel Jolicoeur, Ayden Munro, Rylee Pistun, Tatyanna Shoenemann-Harding, Ethan Sigurdon, Keshawn Tacan and Shanaya Young.
From Carman Collegiate: Jessica Anderson, Ella Benner and Cherish Williams.
From Miami School: Kiana Leith.
From Institut collégial St. Paul’s Collegiate: Marlee Morisseau.
