在6月7日走进Forest Lawn High School（森林草地高中）的下层体育馆参加第一民族、梅蒂斯和因纽特人毕业典礼，是令人兴奋和敬畏的时刻。为了典礼，放置了400多个椅子呈环形排列，最内层的环形保留给长者们、毕业生、仪式主持人Tim Fox和多样性和学习支持顾问Shane Cunningham。接下来的几排是家人、朋友、第一民族、梅蒂斯和因纽特人毕业典礼教练、学校代表以及卡尔加里教育委员会的高级领导人。

典礼的圆形认可本身令人温暖，从盛大入场开始，长者Leonard Bastien的故事，以及卡尔加里教育委员会的长者咨询委员会向毕业生赠送奖牌。然后，毕业生们轮流介绍自己，并感谢那些与他们一同走过学业旅程的人。Frank and Darcy Turning Robe负责整晚的鼓点，并延续了传统，为毕业生赠送了卡尔加里教育委员会毕业荣誉歌曲，以表彰他们即将迈入生活的下一个阶段的成就。

在圆形认可之后，毕业生和来宾们外出，在当天早些时候由Darren Weasel Child和学生志愿者设立的帐篷前拍摄美丽的照片。

然后，所有来宾进入了食堂，食堂被装饰得别致，其中包括由卡尔加里教育委员会各地的原住民学生创作的艺术品、由Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School的学生制作的自然物品和桌面装饰。在Marion Lerat长者的祝福之后，来宾们享用了由Forest Lawn High School的学生和厨房工作人员精心制作和服务的炖菜和煎面包美食。

整个晚上以一个非常有趣的圆舞结束，在室外庭院进行。圆舞原计划在体育馆进行，然而天气非常好，所以全部来宾都聚集在室外和谐地完成了整个晚上的活动。

衷心感谢Forest Lawn High School的员工和学生为举办这个活动，以及校长Darren Dyck的灵活和领导才能。

Walking into the lower gymnasium at Forest Lawn High School on June 7 for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Graduation was an exciting and awe-inspiring moment. Over 400 chairs were set-up in circular layers for the ceremony, with the inner most circle reserved for the Elders, graduating students, Master of Ceremonies Tim Fox and Diversity and Learning Support Advisor Shane Cunningham. In the next few rows were families, friends, First Nations, Metis and Inuit Graduation Coaches, school representatives and Calgary Board of Education senior leaders.

The circle recognition itself was heartwarming, beginning with Grande Entry, stories from Elder Leonard Bastien, and the gifting of medallions to graduates by the CBE’s Elder Advisory Council. Graduates then took turns introducing themselves and acknowledging those who have walked alongside them in their learning journeys. Frank and Darcy Turning Robe provided drumming throughout the  evening and continued the tradition gifting the CBE Graduation Honour song to graduates to honour their accomplishments as they move into the next phase of life. 

After the circle recognition, graduates and guests moved outside to have beautiful pictures taken in front of the tipi that had been set up by Darren Weasel Child and student volunteers earlier in the day.

All guests then entered the cafeteria, which was subtly decorated with artwork that had been created by Indigenous students from across the CBE, natural items and table centre pieces made by students from Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School. After a blessing by Elder Marion Lerat, guests enjoyed a delicious meal of stew and fry bread that was lovingly made and served by students and (culinary) staff from Forest Lawn High School. 

The event came full circle with an incredibly fun Round Dance in the outdoor courtyard. The Round Dance had been planned to take place in the gym, however with such a beautiful evening, the entire guest list congregated outside to complete the evening in perfect harmony.

A heart-felt thank you goes out to the staff and students at Forest Lawn High School for hosting this event, as well as Principal Darren Dyck for his flexibility and leadership.