The U.S. Department of Interior has released a video with speakers congratulating tribal graduates from the class of 2021 across Indian Country.

The 30-minute program includes remarks from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

“The gift of education is so precious. It not only opens the doors of opportunity to each individual student, but also has the power to end cycles of poverty and turn the page for Native communities everywhere,” Haaland said in the video message. “I want to challenge each of you to use your education to build a better world for those who will come after you.”

The program also includes:
– Welcome message by Bureau of Indian Education Director Tony Dearman
– Opening prayer by Tina Abrams of the Seneca Nation
– Poem by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo
– Remarks by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland
– Honor Song from Professor Dale Old Horn of Montana State University-Billings/Little Bighorn College, Clement
Other Medicine of the Black Lodge District, and Robert ‘Corky’ Old Horn of the Black Lodge District.  

Click here to watch the program.