Across the territory, graduation ceremonies were celebrated with a splash of creativity while adhering to Covid-19 restrictions. Typically in Nunavut, a graduation ceremony takes place in a school gymnasium or a large indoor community space. Family members, friends and graduates gather together to celebrate with various entertainment, feasts and speeches.

This year however, due to limited gatherings and physical distancing, graduation committees have had to find "creative solutions" to celebrate their graduates beyond the traditional ceremony.

In order to comply with the restrictions for Covid-19, IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 Inuksuk graduates were each assigned a 10-minute time slot during the ceremony. Each graduate arrived at the event with a maximum of five individuals of their choosing, explained Tess Thurber, an organizer on Inuksuk High SchoolSA国际影视传媒檚 graduation committee.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had staff assigned to time slots to ensure we had our cheering squad on the balcony for when the graduate crossed the stage,SA国际影视传媒� said Thurber.

A video compiled with a quilliq lighting presentation, a slideshow of the graduates and speeches from the principal, keynote speaker and valedictorians was shown.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were fortunate to be able to, in the end, have the ceremony inside the gymnasium on a smaller scale than our usual ceremony,SA国际影视传媒� said Thurber.

Inuksuk High School graduate Alesha-Elijah Tiglik said, SA国际影视传媒淚t isnSA国际影视传媒檛 what any of us pictured our big day to be, but it was still the greatest feeling to walk across the stage and say I did it.SA国际影视传媒�

Besides the 40 high school graduates, IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 middle and elementary school students also graduated in an unconventional fashion.

Grade 8 graduates from Aqsarniit Middle School celebrated with a SA国际影视传媒渄rive-thru graduation."

SA国际影视传媒淔amilies and graduates drove through the parking lot where staff and teachers greeted them, followed by a family picture,SA国际影视传媒� said Sandi Chan, communications officer with the Department of Education. SA国际影视传媒淭hey then received their final report card and their graduation certificate.SA国际影视传媒�

At Joamie Elementary School graduates came SA国际影视传媒渄ressed-up to the doors of the schoolSA国际影视传媒� to receive their diplomas and take photos. To adhere to physical distancing, graduates and their families attended the event during their specific time slots.
Nakasuk Elementary School however, opted for postponing their graduation celebration until fall.

Outside of Iqaluit, other Nunavut schools followed similar yet slightly different ways of celebrating their graduates.
In Taloyoak, Netsilik SchoolSA国际影视传媒檚 graduation was celebrated through the local radio and a parade through the community.
Similarly in Gjoa Haven, a graduation parade was held in honour of the Grade 12 and Grade 6 graduates from Qiqirtaq High School and Quqshuun Ilihakvik Elementary School respectively.

Cambridge BaySA国际影视传媒檚 Kiilinik High School held their graduation ceremony outdoors. SA国际影视传媒淔amily and community members were invited to drive by and honk or wave at the graduates,SA国际影视传媒� said Chan.

ArviatSA国际影视传媒檚 John Arnalukjuak High School celebrated their graduates by organizing a drive-through diploma ceremony, where students picked up their diplomas on the front steps of the school. The graduation ceremony was followed by a community parade.

Pond Inlet was another community that celebrated its high school graduates with a parade through the community.
SA国际影视传媒淢eaningful milestones can still be recognized even if the ceremonial actions are different," said Chan, adding the determination of families, students and school staff is to be applauded.

SA国际影视传媒淏eing innovative and resourceful to celebrate their graduations despite a global pandemic interrupting their original plans is a testament to the strength of Nunavut school communities.SA国际影视传媒�