I am grimly determined to have fun this summer » « Fun with knees

The ceremonies have begun!

It really must be the end of the school year — today was a day of ceremonies, and the official commencement event is tomorrow midday. I just got back from our Native American honor ceremony.

I’m envious. They get a beautiful blanket in addition to a diploma.

I am grimly determined to have fun this summer » « Fun with knees

Comments

  2. JimB says

    Once you’re fully retired and get bored. Take a road trip down to Gallup New Mexico in July/August and check out the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial.

    For no other reason than to try the Navajo Fry Bread straight out of the outdoor adobe oven. It is truly some of the best bread you will ever eat.

    A lot of different tribes attend so it’s a chance to see a really wide variety of clothing and blankets. And you see so much of the various cultures. It’s really cool. I just looked it up. Only 1300 miles…

  3. says

    @1 John Morales wrote: Days of social obligation, that’s what they are. Ceremonies.
    I reply: That is true. However, for some (referring to the tribal honor ceremony) it is also a an important and enjoyable time for all to share and recognize the hard work and accomplishments of students.

  4. John Morales says

    shermanj, sure. For some.

    Try opting out of one, though, and see how people react.

    (I had to do work functions, back when I worked)

  5. chrislawson says

    Love the blankets. All graduations should incorporate beautiful cultural gifts. Bonus points for being useful, too.

  6. says

    my people’s culture is to wrap those kids in small pox blankets so i’ll skip celebrating it. my ancestors can do an angry little morris dance about it in hell.

  7. John Morales says

    I see a preponderance of women in that image.

    (Nothing wrong with that, of course — maybe even the opposite)

  10. says

    There was no requirement to attend. I voluntarily went to the ceremony to support our American Indian students, and because it was an enjoyable cultural event. The larger commencement ceremony today is also optional, and I’m going anyway.

    We have many more women than men enrolled everywhere.

    Today, 47% of U.S. women ages 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree, compared with 37% of men.

    The disparity is even greater at a liberal arts college like mine. I had one male student to 11 female students this past semester.

    The floors are very shiny because this was held in Oyate (an Anishinaabe word!) Hall, the central meeting place for all kinds of diverse events, and it is very well maintained.

  11. says

    @6 Bébé Mélange adds a very important historical context. Thanks.
    And, as I said, especially now, with the tRUMP war on education and science, it is important to recognize and encourage students academic work and accomplishments.

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