Graduating LBCC students were honored and welcomed to attend a short but gracious Cultural Native Graduation Celebration held on Tuesday, May 26, at the Liberal Arts campus.
In addition to acknowledging LBCC’s upcoming graduates who will be walking at the commencement ceremony next week, the celebration included traditional Native cultural practices, curated beats from drums, and a traditional danza performance.
Upon entering the T1200 room where the ceremony took place, attendees were met with a seating plan that was specifically chosen for the graduation.
Seats were arranged in the shape of a ceremonial circle, symbolizing equality among all participants and representing that no one was above or below one another.
Sounds of cascabeles and chachayotes, traditional ankle rattles used for danza, filled the room as attendees sat in a circle, watching in appreciation and awe.
The event was open to both graduating students and their families, where two members in attendance, Diana Gomez and current LBCC student Jimmy Cueveas, were seen assembling “blessing bundles” made from tobacco and sage that were handed out to graduating students, meant to congratulate them and bless their achievements.
“For me, it’s not just highlighting Native students, but it’s also showing the difference in cultures as well; there are times where most native students are considered more ‘simple’ than what they actually are,” Cueveas said.
Before asking graduating Native American students to cross the stage, a traditional song or prayer was performed using the beats of a powwow drum, the attendees stood in unison, showing their respect and embraced the prayer that was being given to them.
Students were given one minute each to share words of encouragement, highlights of their journey, or to share their gratitude in general.
One graduate, Francisco J. Monono, who is transferring to CSULB with an associate’s degree in studio arts, noted his journey at LBCC was not expected, having only been enrolled to take one course.
“I was only supposed to come here to take one course that I was enrolled into in 2022, but because I came across these beautiful people and just this college program in general, as well as the professors, now I’m getting ready to transfer,” Monono said.
Upon crossing the stage, graduates were given a feather tassel made using a turkey feather, something the graduates could wear at graduation, as well as the blessing bundles prepared for them.
Eric Becerra, Director of Student Equity, also noted the feather tassel’s importance to the celebration as a whole.
“Among many graduating students, this tassel will help identify you as a part of Native American and indigenous heritage,” Becerra said.
The ceremony highlighted the importance of cultural identity throughout a student’s pathway into higher education, as well as congratulating LBCC students in their future endeavors, providing those in attendance with an opportunity to praise them for their most recent accomplishment.
