Pembina Trails Honours 2025 Indigenous Graduates: Kisténitākosowīn Kēsikow

On June 20^th and 23^rd 2025, Indigenous graduating students from all Pembina Trails Senior Years schools were celebrated at the fourth annual Kisténitākosowīn Kēsikow: Honouring Day Celebrations. Kisténitākosowīn Kēsikow is part of Pembina Trails School Division’s commitment to Reconciliation, where self-identified Indigenous graduates are presented with a school-specific graduation stole symbolizing recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba, including elements that represent Métis, Inuit, and First Nations cultures. Graduates are encouraged to wear their stole, which is a drape of cloth that is worn over the graduation gown, to their respective school graduations this week.

Both ceremonies were emceed by Ray Co-co Stevenson and began with a procession led by the Walking Wolf singers and dancers and an Honour Walk for the graduates. Students from the Pembina Trails Indigenous Youth Choir accompanied one of our Indigenous Student Success Teachers in performing an original song titled One Love, celebrating the individual gifts each student carries with them every day. Each graduate was then presented with their graduation stole and gifts before being wrapped in a fleece blanket by school staff. The events both concluded with time to connect with community over food provided by Feast Café Bistro.

Please join us in honouring 2025 Indigenous graduates on their accomplishments.