An array of tribal flags were on display to represent Indigenous graduates for the first time this year at UMD's graduation ceremony.
The flags stood before the “Around the Earth” drum group from the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa during their performance at the event.
Jody O'Connor, director of the American Indian Learning Resource Center, took the initiative to contact tribal leaders to request the flags. The initial idea came from the commencement committee as a way to honor the four Indigenous students who would receive doctorate of education degrees this spring.
Flags from most of Minnesota's tribes, which include the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, were present at commencement. Additionally, there were a few Wisconsin tribal flags and one from Canada, for the Inuit Indigenous people of Nunavut. Flags were donated to UMD by the tribes and this tradition of tribal representation will continue.