As families prepare for the graduation ceremonies at local schools and universities that Indigenous students attend, their home communities are also preparing summer internships and youth employment activities as well.

Extended relatives bead, sew traditional and contemporary Indigenous clothing, and feasts are prepared. The pride and joy that parents and families of graduates feel is that righteous “they made it” kind of emotion that counters the statistics of Indigenous youth.

What may seem like a little victory to non-Indigenous people who have fourth generation college graduates in their family legacies, is actually counting coup for Indigenous families. In fact, graduating a child from high school that includes acceptance into college with a full ride scholarship IS an Indigenous family’s dream come true!

For a first world country, education ought to be viewed as a right and privilege. As it stands, where the education, health and the welfare of society is concerned, the US fair’s better than other countries. Considering there are youth that have to dig through trash for survival and war is a daily occurrence, waking up alive is a victory. When put in that light, in the US, when Indigenous communities are graduating youth that is quite a privilege.