Congratulations 2020 Indigenous Students!

2020 Indigenous students your entire community joins me is saying congratulations and that we are very proud of you!

This year has been one of the most challenging our community has faced in modern times. We, as a people, are familiar with adversity, fighting to be heard, to be visible, to have our rights and treaties acknowledged. We do not back down from the fights that need to be fought.

We are survivors who have found a way to laugh, smile and connect with one another in a good way despite the overt pain and trauma our community often faces. 

These challenging times are bringing out the best in so many of us! It can be seen through the work of the community members who created The Social Distance Powwow, which has over 150k members!  It can be heard in the streets as we march side by side with our brothers and sisters of all colors, it can be felt in the food distribution and PPE programs that have sprung up to fill our community needs. We are SURVIVORS!

I do not envy the role you will be expected to play in our unpredictable future; however, I will say with confidence that I trust your generation and admire the direction you are taking our society! What will be demanded of you will be trying at the least. However, the blood of our ancestors’ courses though your hearts and Spirit is always with you, you will NEVER be alone! 

Congratulations
Jaden Fisher
of the Mattakeeset Tribe!

Congratulations
TallHairRedDeer
Nipmuc