In 2019, when Kluane Adamek completed her master’s degree at Simon Fraser University, she had the opportunity to attend a celebration called the Indigenous Student Centre’s Honouring Ceremony. The feast saluting Indigenous graduates is a 14-year tradition at the British Columbia, Canada, institution.

Two years later, Adamek returned to the ceremony as keynote speaker—but this time virtually, from her home in the Yukon, 1,400-plus miles away.

Because of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, SFU pivoted to host the Honouring Ceremony online. The 2021 event featured Adamek’s address, remarks from SFU’s president and chancellor, and cultural drum and music presentations. It went on to win a 2021 gold Circle of Excellence Award for online commencements.

“Graduating was a very special experience for me,” says Jesse LeCoy, who finished a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2021 and participated with his family in both the 2021 Honouring Ceremony and virtual SFU convocation. “The Honouring Ceremony recognizes and holds up graduates while also honouring families and communities that have supported graduates in their journey.”

LeCoy, who is Syilx Okanagan, is a student life coordinator in the Indigenous Student Centre, which organized the event with SFU’s events team. Planning it took creativity and collaboration, explains Sue Porter, senior associate director of SFU’s ceremonies and events department.