b'YOUTH PROFILEAveriDoxtatorPresenting #IndigenousGrad2020BY TREVOR GREYEYESS eventeen-year-old Averi Doxtator was looking forwardthat I really enjoy working with others and getting to know new to graduating in June 2020 and moving on to univer- people during the process, and I learned about the power of sity, where she was going to compete in water polo,social media.when the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and dashed those dreams.Is there anybody or organizations you want to thank? Doxtator, who is Haudenosaunee (Oneida) and AnishinaabeThere were so many creative thinkers putting in efforts and from Walpole Island First Nation and Dakota from Siouxsharing with their networks to help make it all happen! Our Valley, decided to reach out through social media to other Firstplanning committee of students, parents and community leaders Nation graduates to celebrate the important milestone as thewho believed in the idea and helped brainstorm and find ways pandemic limited graduation ceremonies. to make the dream a reality. To the graduates and their fami-Doxtator put a call out and was helped by some people andlies for sharing their stories. The Elders, artists and leaders for organizations to start Indigenous Grad 2020, an entirely virtualsharing their inspiring messages, wisdom and talents. A huge initiative where pictures of 2020 Indigenous graduates can beshoutout to APTN for coming on early to support in any way viewed from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Even in latepossible. Animikii created and donated the logo and techno-August, grads were still posting photos on social media thankslogical aspects. The incredibly talented production pieces weaved to her efforts. together by Lindsay Sarazin and wicked co-host Ryan McMahon. Ok and my ma and her insane network of powerful women! Indigenous Grad 2020 also consisted of a live-streamed event on June 26 that included a performance by one graduate,Any messages to your fellow 2020 grads?Alicia Asp-Chief, from the Algonquin and Tahltan Nation, asIf I could say anything it would be to not shy away from oppor-well as appearances from Christi Belcourt, Cindy Blackstock,tunities that come your way, challenge yourself and dream big, National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Yukon Regional Chief Kluaneas you can never be sure of the outcome. Adamek, Tanya Talaga, William Prince, Waubgeshig Rice, Zoey Pricelys Roy, Waneek Horn-Miller, Kaniehtiio Horn, SherryWhat are your goals in the future? Has the COVID-19 McKay, Fawn D. Wood, Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnnepandemic altered any of your plans?Archibald, James Jones and Tim Fontaine. COVID-19 ended my training for water polo. With the Pictures and posts from the graduates can be viewed acrossuncertainty of playing in university, Ive had more time to think various social media platforms by searching #IndigenousGrad2020. about my education goals. I really want to go to medical school and eventually become an obstetrician. How does it feel to have pulled off Indigenous Grad 2020? It feels like a celebration of so many accomplishments by soHow have you been handling the pandemic? Have you many amazing people. I feel connected in a new way and sopicked up any new hobbies or learned a new skill?proud of everyone who participated in the event. I am also soI have had so much more time to reflect on whats important in impressed by how swiftly it came together. life and my own responses to uncertainty. There definitely have been mixed emotions at times with seeing how the pandemic What motivated you to organize this event?has impacted other communities and highlighted inequities. For Brainstorming with my family and community, but underlyingsome new ways of reconnecting to land, weve planted a garden, that was this idea of creating hope and positivity during thesedone more crafts, redecorated, learned some new recipes, read unthinkable times. more books and Ive perfected my juggling. What did you learn from this experience? Do you have anything else you might want to say?I learned the incredible stories of other graduates and theirI guess the last thing Id say is that I hope my generation sees journeys celebrating their culture and education. There are sohow we are the future leaders, healers, language and culture many people studying and planning for their future. Also, (Icarriers, business owners, doctors and lawyers, and to embrace learned) just how much effort goes into planning events andour gifts, talents and stories as we can make positive changes in that community is the backbone to achieving goals. I learnedthis new reality. 34l I ssue1 2020C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'