Students, families, and community members will gather in Airdrie on May 27, 2026, to celebrate the second annual Indigenous graduation ceremony hosted by Rocky View Schools. The event recognizes the academic achievements of 115 students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, marking a growth in participation since the inaugural event was held in 2025.
The ceremony will take place at the Rocky View Schools Education Centre, located at 2651 Chinook Winds Drive SW. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with the event beginning at 5 p.m.
During the celebration, graduates will receive culturally significant gifts. First Nations students will be presented with ceremonial blankets, which represent care, protection, and belonging. Métis graduates will receive finger-woven sashes, a symbol of honour and recognition that reflects the interconnection between people, culture, and story.
The event will feature several cultural performances, including drumming by the Chiniki Lake Singers, fiddle music led by Billy Joseph, and dance by the Violets Michif Dancers. Students from Bow Valley High School and Mitford School are also scheduled to perform powwow dancing.
Superintendent Ryan Reed noted that the division views the ceremony as one act of reconciliation, acknowledging that Indigenous knowledge systems have not always been represented in public education. Board Chair Fiona Gilbert added that the board is honoured to celebrate this milestone alongside the graduates and their families, noting that the students’ achievements reflect strength, resilience, and dedication.
This event is part of a broader effort by the school division to support Indigenous learners. Between March 2025 and February 2026, the division’s Indigenous Learning department managed 236 requests for cultural, curricular, and administrative support from schools and provided professional learning sessions to 838 staff members.
