The Native American/Indigenous (NAI) Graduation Celebration is a ceremony to recognize the achievements and successes of all NAI graduating students. We honor the contributions that NAI students, staff, faculty, and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria are making to our growing community at Sonoma State University. The celebration also pays tribute to graduating students' families and the tribal communities who have contributed to their success.
*We welcome all students who identify as Native American, American Indian, and/or Indigenous, including and not limited to Alaska Native, Indigenous Hawaiian, and Indigenous Latinx.
2024 Native American and Indigenous Cultural Graduation Celebration Program
Faculty and Student Processional
Blessing
Melissa Elgin, Tribal Secretary of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
Welcome and Land Acknowledgment:
Alvin S. Rosa-Figueroa, Cultural Resource Management/Department of Anthropology, Sonoma State University (Emcee)
Greetings from University Leadership
Monir Ahmed, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Alumnae and Keynote Speaker
Patricia Miraz, Vice Chair, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and Alum '14
Student Speaker
Nicole Jones,, Graduate, Bachelor of Arts, Education
Presentation of 2024 Native American and Indigenous Graduates
Ashley C. Hall, Ph.D, Adjunct Professor of Native American Studies
Performance
Closing Remarks
Silvia Soto, Ph.D, Associate Chair of Native American Studies and Assistant Professor in Chicano and Latino Studies