ACAD Indigenous grads recognized

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 4:55pm
Darryl Brass was one of two Elders to bless eagle feathers that were presented to the Indigenous graduates from the Alberta College of Art + Design during convocation. (Photo: AlbertaCollegeofArtandDesign)

For the first time in the history of Calgary’s Alberta College of Art + Design, Indigenous graduates were presented with eagle feathers during convocation.

Blood Elder Casey Eagle Speaker, a representative from the ACAD’s Elder Council, blessed the convocation ceremony on May 18 and presented the feathers to the Indigenous graduates.

The eagle feathers were blessed by Elders Darryl and Linda Brass.

The eagle feather is symbolic of the students’ achievement, guide their journey and give encouragement for success into the future.

After the ceremony, the 2017 Grad Show exhibition at ACAD opened. The exhibition is a chance to view the work of graduating students from ACAD’s ceramics, drawing, fibre, glass, jewellery and metals, media arts and digital technologies, painting, photography, print media, sculpture, and visual communication design programs.

The exhibition runs until May 27.

ACAD recognizes Alberta’s deep and rich Indigenous history, acknowledging that its building is located on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot.