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Every year, Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre (FDISC), on behalf of the University, the Indigenous Council of Queen’s University (ICQU) and the Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs, presents graduating Indigenous students with special gifts during their convocation ceremonies (Spring and Fall).

In honour of their accomplishments as Indigenous graduates of Queen’s University, they are gifted with a Blackfoot Peoples Mountain Blanket, a Metis sash, a drum, or a feather fan.

The Blackfoot Peoples Mountain Blanket was chosen because the rich colours and fabric patterns honour our Mother Earth. Following convocation, the Indigenous graduates are invited back to FDISC to put their handprint on the canvas wall hangings, along with their name, program, year of graduation and community, leaving their mark on Queen’s in perpetuity.

“In my community we have oheroton, a rite of passage ceremony. I was never able to participate. Receiving this gift was like my own rite of passage, reaffirming that we will succeed as indigenous people within these institutions.”

J. Sunday, Akwesasne (BSc Kinesiology 2019)

Indigenous graduates and faculty may choose to wear traditional Indigenous attire (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), in lieu of a gown and hood, at all convocation ceremonies. You also have the option of being hooded on stage (with regalia). All graduates who choose to wear traditional regalia, must fill out the Indigenous Traditional Regalia & Gifting at Convocation Form online at least 2 weeks prior to the ceremony.