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The Indian Education for All department this year awarded 49 Indigenous high school graduates in Great Falls with eagle feathers, symbolizing their achievement and connection to culture.
The department awards the feathers each year in a ceremony, but this year, with COVID-19 restrictions, the department held five separate ceremonies to distribute the feathers. It s a mark of achievement for students in the Native American community and a recognition of them as warriors. It s a great opportunity for them to be recognized within the community, said Dugan Coburn, director of Indian education at Great Falls Public Schools.
Xianghua Trombley, who is Blackfeet, received her eagle feather for graduating from Paris Gibson High School.
High School commencement ceremonies celebrated throughout holiday weekend Nicole Girten, Great Falls Tribune
High school graduations were held Sunday and Monday at the 4 Seasons Area in the Montana ExpoPark. Over 600 students were honored during the three ceremonies.
Speeches during all three Great Falls Public Schools ceremonies recognized all the graduates of Great Falls High, C.M. Russell High and Paris Gibson Education Center have achieved despite the challenges presented during the pandemic.
“After all we’ve been through this past year, we finally get to celebrate something in person,” said superintendent Tom Moore. “And that’s the important accomplishments of all of you.”