Augustana recognizes record number of Aboriginal grads

Dr. Wilton Littlechild, a member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation and commissioner with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, performed the honouring ceremony at Augustana’s convocation ceremony June 2 as a record number of Aboriginal students graduated from the University of Alberta’s Camrose campus. Littlechild also presented an offering to his youngest daughter, who followed in her father’s footsteps and earned an undergraduate degree majoring in physical education. Eight graduates declared their Aboriginal ancestry and most elected to participate in an honouring ceremony onstage to recognize and honour the students’ academic accomplishments. Littlechild is an alumnus with three U of A degrees and is the first Treaty First Nations person to acquire a U of A law degree. In 2007, he was bestowed an honourary doctor of laws degree by the U of A for his many outstanding achievements including the passionate work he has done to advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples.