Northwest Indian College Celebrates 150 graduates
Northwest Indian College conferred 150 awards, certificates and degrees at the annual Commencement Ceremony Friday, June 16 at the Lummi Nation Stommish Grounds.
This year marks the College’s 40th Anniversary and the seventh consecutive year over 100 students earned a degree or credential from NWIC. More than 2,000 awards, certificates and degrees have been conferred by NWIC since 1990. The average graduate GPA was 3.41 with over 50 graduates earning honors.
The ceremony opened with Master of Ceremonies Brandon Morris introducing Lummi Veterans and NWIC staff as they posted the US flag, Lummi Nation flag and the flags of the Muckleshoot, Nez Perce, Nisqually, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes — representing NWIC’s extended campus sites.
The graduates were led in by the Lummi Blackhawk Singers followed by a welcome from President Justin Guillory and Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Kinley.
In recognition of their exceptional contributions and service to the community, the College bestowed an honorary Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies Leadership on Al Scott Johnny and the late Violet Theresa Hillaire. Accepting the honor on behalf of the Hillaire family was her granddaughter Katrina Rodriguez. The honorees were presented an honorary diploma, NWIC 30th Anniversary blanket and framed 40th Anniversary blanket print.
Every few years, NWIC recognizes an exceptional group of Indigenous women and men with honorary degrees — Tribal individuals who have influenced their community, are warriors in the defense of their homelands, some who preserve Tribal sovereignty through language revitalization and others who encourage cultural resilience. Collectively they enrich the world and encourage others to pursue their identity and journey to self- determination.
Interim Dean of Academics Rudy Vendiola announced the Faculty of the Year awards — full-time faculty Gaby Salazar and part-time faculty Carlos Martinez.
Swinomish and Tulalip photographer and New York Times best-selling author Matika Wilbur encouraged the graduates to pursue kindness in her keynote speech. Student Speakers Sandra James (Lummi Nation, Makah Tribe) and Alexé Ortiz (Descendent of the Nez Perce and Salish Kootenai tribes) followed, sharing their journeys to graduation and congratulating their class.
The ceremony ended with a recession of the graduates led by the Lummi Blackhawk Singers and a meal celebrating the graduates and the College’s 40th Anniversary provided by SeaWolf Surf and Turf, Zephyr Lemonade, Dee’s Mini Frybread and Super Mario’s.
Find more photos from Commencement on our Facebook page.