LBCC’s Native grad promoted the importance of community and representation for its graduating students on May 16.
Seating was arranged in a semicircle for the event and food and refreshments were provided before the graduation began.
The event started off with the director of Basic Needs Justin Mendez presenting a land acknowledgement of the Gabrielino and Tongva people.
LBCC graduate and Native American Indigenous Collaborative (NAIC) affiliate Ezra LoBianco expressed the importance of holding these land acknowledgments for Native people.
“It’s important for all of our cultures to be represented, I would say the extra significance for our Native-Indigenous students is because we are often an overlooked population simply because of numbers. We don’t have a lot of representation numerically but it doesn’t take away the importance of us being represented at all levels,” Mendez said.
Director of Student Equity Eric Beccera helped organize the event with NAIC and presented parting gifts for graduates, including a tobacco leaf wrapped in a cloth and turkey feather tassels.
Native grad was first hosted on campus two years ago and Beccera noted this year’s large turnout.
“The first time we had a gathering it was a lot smaller, it was a couple of students. This is one of those events that we do that really ensures that our students feel seen, heard, and loved,” Beccera said.
Thomas James Reed also hosted the celebration dressed in Native regalia to represent his Oneida heritage.
“Having that time to come together and to lift one another up and to heal in ourselves, for past generations, and generations to come,” Reed said.
Reed also performed a dance with performer Michael Runningwood who sang and played drums.
“We put them together to express ourselves as a living motion, also to encourage motion around our peers and the environment around us,” Runningwind said regarding the music performed.
LoBianco stressed the importance of celebrations like Native grad.
“I just want to see all of them, I just want them to feel like they’re welcome here and that they are part of this, that this for them, whether or not they feel connected, or reconnecting, or they are connected no matter where they come from,” LoBianco said.
Students and families were given time to hold a small speech expressing gratitude for each other.
LBCC will be holding its official commencement ceremony for graduates on June 5.