“While we’ve always taken care to recognize and celebrate our Indigenous graduates, for the past few years, we did it from a distance,” said Celeste Pedri-Spade, Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives), addressing attendees at the 2026 Scarf Ceremony. “Being together again in this space carries a different kind of meaning.”
The May 29 celebration at the Faculty Club marked the first in-person Scarf Ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s gathering honoured 88 First Nations, Métis and Inuit graduates from doctoral, master’s, undergraduate and certificate programs.
Pedri-Spade emphasized that education is more than a credential; it is a lasting tool that shapes how graduates move through the world, equipping them “to think critically, to adapt, to question, to lead and to continue learning long after today.”
In her remarks, she encouraged graduates to see their degrees as part of a larger story, one rooted in persistence and self-determination. “It opens doors, yes, but more importantly, it gives you the confidence and capacity to build your own doors when none seem to exist,” she added. “Your degree is not just a credential; it is a part of your story. It’s part of your bundle.”
Pedri-Spade’s reflections framed the evening as both a celebration and a continuation: a reminder that education carries forward into community, leadership and lifelong learning.
Education is about relationships
Senior Cultural Advisor Robert Spade opened the evening by grounding the ceremony in teachings about relationships, responsibility and ways of knowing. He spoke about education not only as a formal process, but as something deeply human, embedded in land, community and lived experience.
“Education is a human thing. It’s a good thing to do and pursue and learn from our human families and where we are on Earth,” he said. “We learn all these different ways, all these ways of knowing. It’s a good way to be.”
Spade’s words highlighted the relational nature of learning and reinforced that graduates’ journeys were not undertaken alone, but alongside family, community and those who supported them along the way.
He began with an honour song recognizing the graduates’ perseverance and acknowledging “the moments they had to stand up for themselves,” a reflection of both personal resilience and collective strength.
This theme was carried through the evening, with graduates and administrators alike underscoring the value of relationship-building in overcoming challenges and achieving success.
“While so much of what you’ve done is about academics – as it should be – perhaps equally important (if not even more so) are the relationships you’ve made along the way and the things you’ve learned about yourself,” said Angela Campbell, Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic). “Yes, there are a lot of things you’ve learned in your disciplines, but the best gift of university life is the way it can help us understand the kinds of questions we should be asking.”
After the speakers’ remarks, each graduate was called by name to receive their diploma or certificate and a scarf. The scarves were recently redesigned by Tammy Beauvais (Kanien’kehá:ka, Kahnawà:ke) and Michael Yellowhair (Navajo) in collaboration with Indigenous community members at McGill.
The new design features a turtle to represent Turtle Island (North America) and highlights the differences between Métis, Inuit and First Nations peoples, their lands and territories, explained Brittanny Janvier, Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
Gratitude for First Peoples’ House
Graduates and their guests were invited to share their thoughts and praise during the open-mic portion of the evening. Many took the opportunity to acknowledge the support they received from friends, family and community members in helping them achieve this milestone.
Several attendees expressed their gratitude to the staff at McGill’s First Peoples’ House. For Delanie Havrelock (Cree, Saddle Creek), who earned a BA in East Asian Studies, the centre for Indigenous students helped her “find a way to feel valued.”
“It took me seven years to graduate,” she said. “I want to express my gratitude to First Peoples’ House, because I would have dropped out if not for Matthew and everybody. They made me see that failing was OK, because it gave me a chance to grow.”
Not only did Havrelock finish her program, she also worked at the House and was elected Indigenous Affairs Commissioner for the Students’ Society of McGill University. During her studies, she helped paint a mural at the University Centre, ran an Indigenous vendor market and contributed to creating a bursary for other Indigenous students, something she called her proudest accomplishment.
“I wouldn’t have had that strength if not for these lovely, beautiful friends of mine, so thank you so much,” she said.
Kristen Moar (Cree, Nemaska), who graduated with a Certificate in Public Administration and Governance, echoed these sentiments.
“I did this for my daughter,” she said. “She is starting at McGill this fall, and I know she’ll get the support she needs.”
After sharing a meal, guests listened to a final drum performance from Spade, who closed by noting that each graduate’s story matters.
“There are lots of stories here – go out and share them with the people,” he said.