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Indigenous students at Sir John Franklin High School celebrated graduation in a special way on Saturday afternoon.

They took part in the Indigenous Honour Ceremony, which recognizes Indigenous graduates in a traditional way by incorporating elements from the Dene, Metis and Inuit cultures.

The event started out with a feeding the fire ceremony and prayer outside the school, before moving indoors for speeches and the ceremonial lighting of the qulliq SA国际影视传媒� a traditional oil lamp.

The qulliq is a very important tool for Inuit people, explained Rassi Nashalik. It is used as a heat source, cooking tool and to melt ice for drinking water.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 almost like a furnace,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 always say I wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be here if my parents didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a qulliq SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 a survival tool.SA国际影视传媒�

Kyla LeSage, a recent University of British Columbia graduate in political science and Indigenous studies, was a guest speaker at the ceremony.

SA国际影视传媒淏eing Indigenous comes with many negative stereotypes,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

But the Indigenous graduates are living proof that those stereotypes are wrong, she said.

Students were presented with their graduation stoles by family members before the celebration ended with a feast.

Editor's note: graduates not pictured are Jessica Andre, Mary Chocolate, Seth Couch, Lucas Haluska, Laylu Judas, Joenelle Mackenzie, Carolynn Ugyuk, Kirsti Voudrach and Diana Williah.