An Indigenous Graduate’s Open Letter to the University of Alberta’s Class of 2016

Lately, when I think about convocation I tear up. I suspect this is precisely the kind of emotional and conceptual force that “convocation” is meant to carry. It is the cumulative end-point of years of study, research, leadership, and athletics (or a combination thereof), an event that draws together disparate kinship networks in the name of celebration. Perhaps tears are the most perfunctory response.

Especially so, for me, because I wasn’t meant to be here. The university – as a concept and a geographic formation – hasn’t historically made Indigenous flourishing possible. And, those of us that do get here are often first-generation post-secondary students. In fact, the high school dropout rate amongst Indigenous peoples in Canada is four times higher than the national average.  This is to say that there are sturdy walls that keep Indigenous peoples from getting to the university, walls that have been propped up over centuries in the wake of colonial public policy- and law-making practices.

To be Indigenous and a university student is to be an alien and a shape shifter; is to be a soldier and a civilian all at once. There have been days when I wanted to let the walls swallow the whole of me. Sometimes our hearts only know how to shatter, but we built love from the rubble anyways.

When Indigenous students graduate, we are conjuring bits and pieces of worlds that can hold new forms of collective Indigenous life. The University of Alberta, then, is part of a political movement. During my four years here, I was able to cultivate a social justice ethic and was mentored by instructors and professors attuned to experimental forms of pedagogy invested in making the social habitable for people like me. I learned how to imagine futures I wouldn’t have thought livable four years ago.

At the University of Alberta, there are Indigenous students, staff, and faculty from across Turtle Island, and we have formed makeshift communities of support and care alongside our allies. I know that the lives of Indigenous students have been and continue to be radically changed here.

I couldn’t write this letter as if my advice could be taken up in the same way by each student in the Class of 2016. Instead, I want to acknowledge my fellow Indigenous graduates and the communities that hold them up. I want them to remember that they are construction workers, that they are tearing down walls they were never meant to see the other side of. You are making room for others like us. You are glowing, and it is beautiful.

Most of you in the Class of 2016, however, come from different communities and cultures and histories. So, I want to remind you that the University of Alberta traffics in dares and dreams, and that it asks you to uplift the whole people in the boldest ways. I want to urge the Class of 2016 to extend this ethic beyond the classroom by working to make the world more workable for Indigenous peoples. In a country that was confederated through Indigenous suffering, I can’t think of anything bolder.

kinanaskomitin,

Billy

Billy-Ray Belcourt, BA (Hons.)

Billy-Ray Belcourt is from the Driftpile Cree Nation. He is a 2016 Rhodes Scholar-elect and completed a BA (Hons.) in Comparative Literature at the University of Alberta. He blogs and writes poetry at nakinisowin.wordpress.com

The Best Places to Take Grad Photos

Here are the BEST spots to take your U of A grad photos this year (with a few tips to help you get the best shots):

@ The Jubilee Auditorium

Photo Tip: Try to stand at an angle that will allow the Butterdome to serve as your background. After all, you didn't take classes at the Jube, but I bet that you did write an exam in the Butterdome. Plus, it's totally iconic!

Photo Tip: If you were ever a Listerite, then you likely have plenty of photos of the place on your phone... but it might be nice to have at least one cap and gown pic of you in front of the legendary residence.

ECHA

Photo Tip: For the best shot of ECHA, cross the street. Stand on the sidewalk in front of the PAW Cetre to get ECHA and its Lego look in your background. If you time it just right, you might even avoid having cars in the picture.

Photo Tip: To get a similar shot of PAW, stand on the sidewalk in front of ECHA.

The Alberta Bear

Photo Tip: Having your photo taken with the Alberta Bear is the U of A's newest tradition - so make sure you get your shot... which could be as epic as this one:

Photo Tip: Check out YouAlberta's guide to posing for grad photos to see how you might be able to best pose in your gown - and check out Paige's guide to getting the perfect Alberta Bear photo... you can pet it, ride it, hug it, stand beside it, run from it, etc.

The Presidents' Circle

Photo Tip: Imagine yourself as one of the university's founders and then pose with them... well, not actually them (for obvious reasons), but with their bronze facsimiles. The President's Circle is one of the newest statues on campus, so mosey on up beside our first President, and pose as though you're helping him and the first Premier pick out the perfect spot for the university.

St. Joseph's College/Education

Photo Tip: St. Joseph's College is one of the first buildings you would have seen if you rode the bus to campus each morning, plus it will make you look super collegian if you use it in as your background.

Photo Tip: If you're an Education grad, you'll definitely want a photo with the Education mural in the background. For the best shot, try standing on the sidewalk in front of Dent Pharm. (Just look out for the construction.)

The Admin Building

Photo Tip: The area around the Admin Building is perfect for lots of different shots - you can have a picture in front of the building, a shot standing beside one of the charming brick posts, a picture with the whale tale statue, or series of pictures in and around the two ponds that are nestled beside the walkway... but remember EVERYONE will want these shots. To avoid having lots of people in your background, consider making this one of your last photo spots.

Alumni Walk

Photo Tip: Once you've crossed the stage you will be a member of the U of A's Alumni community, so I would highly recommend getting a photo in the Alumni Walk... preferably with the Alumni Walk Plaque. (Note: This is a very popular spot for photos, so to avoid the crowds, you might want to leave it for one of your final shots.)

QUAD/Pembina Hall/CCIS

Photo Tip: QUAD is massive, so there are plenty of places to take your photo. While you'll want to capture some of the walking paths and gorgeous plant life, be sure to include some of the more iconic spots, like Pembina Hall.

Photo Tip: While in QUAD, consider heading towards CCIS to avoid having a crowd in your background.

Engineering QUAD

Photo Tip: Engineering grads might want to head to the iron ring (well, it's almost a ring) over in the Engineering QUAD for at least one grad photo. 

Bio Sci

Photo Tip: Most people tend to forget that the area behind Bio Sci (along Saskatchewan Drive) can be an amazing place to take photos. Not only will you have the potential of getting a great tree line in your background, but you might be able to get a great shot of the Edmonton skyline in your background too.

Tory

Photo Tip: Don't be afraid to choose spots on campus that might be harder to recognize, if they provide you with a colourful and textured back drop. (Like the back of the Tory Turtle/Tory Lecture Theatre)

Photo Tip: Do try to include at least one piece of public art in your photos... and maybe even a provincial landmark, like Rutherford House.

Arts QUAD

Photo Tip: The Old Arts Building a.k.a. Convocation Hall is THE spot to take a grad photo. Seriously. "Convocation" is in the name of the building. 

Photo Tip: If you'd like a water feature in your photo, or if you'd like lots of shrubs and trees, head to the Arts QUAD next to HUB for your photos. The shots can be similar to the ones you'll get by the Admin Building, but you won't have to compete with as many people for the limited space. Plus, you'll be able to get Convocation Hall in your picture.

Bonus Idea!

If you can find them, and if they're willing... you should totally get a photo with your campus hero. #UAlberta15

Striking a Pose: Tips for Unique Grad Photos

Your convocation is YOUR day, and how you commemorate it should be a reflection of who you are and what your university experience was like. There are plenty of traditional things that you'll do on the big day like wearing your robe and hood, strutting across the stage, and posing for photos - and it's that last one that you can really make your own. Here are a few suggestions for how you can up your photo game with some unique poses.

Bear-able Ideas

Posing Tip: Posing with the Alberta Bear in front of the PAW building can be a little intimidating at first - can you get close? Are you allowed to touch it? Can you climb up there in your robe? Keep it simple to start, and just stand in front.

Posing Tip: You can totally touch the bear! You can gently lean on him for a shot that says "it's cool, we hang out." 

Posing Tip: You can go all Christopher Robin with your photo by making it appear as though you're taking the bear for a whimsical walk. Simply take a slow step beside the bear and reach out for its paw while your photographer snaps away. 

Posing Tip: Go nose to nose with bear.

Posing Tip: You could kiss the bear.... or you could just get really close to it. Maybe don't kiss it - who knows where it's been.

Posing Tip: If you aren't a fan of wearing your graduation cap, keep it in your photos by letting the bear wear it for you.

Posing Tip: Show your love for your educational experience by giving a big ol' bear hug to the place where you studied. 

Note: It's best to approach the bear from the west side, with a spotter. 

Posing Tip: Get comfy!

Posing Tip: At some point in the day someone will suggest that you throw your hat into the air. You can do it in front of the bear, or you can do it over on the lawn in front of the Jubilee Auditorium, or you can do it where ever else you might like - but when you do it, try to keep the throw low and slow. If you throw it too high or too quickly, you'll likely miss the shot. Also, try to throw it slightly away from you to avoid hitting yourself in the head. (It happens. A lot.) It might take a few tries to get this kind of pose just right, but it's usually worth the effect.

Posing Tip: Ride into the sun. While on the bear, have your photographer stand just behind the bear, and look over your left shoulder to create the allusion that the bear is actually carrying you away.

Pro Tip:  Check out Paige's guide to getting the perfect Alberta Bear photo... you can pet it, ride it, hug it, stand beside it, run from it, etc.

Classically Collegiate

Posing Tip: Pick a building that you feel represents your view of the university and go for a long shot. This type of photos is less about seeing your face and more about placing you next to an icon part of your university experience.

Posing Tip: If you go for a shot on the steps of Convocation Hall/Old Arts, then try to sit further down on the steps so that you can be a pop of colour against the grey stone.

Posing Tip: The Old Arts Building (i.e. Convocation Hall) has exquisite masonry, which usually looks good in photos. When posing on its steps, ask your photographer to stand down a little from where you're standing/sitting - doing so will allow them to play with the angles of the masonry work and will allow both you AND the building to stand out.

Posing Tip: Adapt yo your lighting! If the lighting around you is really dramatic, be dramatic. In the first shot, we used the flash and in the second one, we didn't. The second photo is far more dramatic because of it, so the choice to look up rather than straight at the camera helped to up-the-drama.

Posing Tip: You could just stand and look directly at the camera, or you could take a very slow walk towards the camera. Doing so will give movement to your photo, and might make it easier for you to post - because instead of worrying about your smile, you'll just be concentrating on your walk.

Posing Tip: At some point, try to look at something. It could be a window, it could be a display, it could be other people - whatever you like. Looking away from the camera will add some variety to your photos and will help to prevent red eye.... plus there are plenty of interesting things to look around campus, so glance at them before you go.

Posing Tip: Try to be comfortable when taking your pictures. Lean on things. It's okay to do so. Also, try to position yourself slightly to the side of centre so that you can create more context around you. And fun fact about your academic hood - it's going to slide around. To keep it in place, you might want some strategically place safety pins.

Posing Tip: If you see the word "convocation" written in big letters somewhere, get in there and get a photo! Also, when wearing your hat, don't pull it down to far forward and definitely do not stick it to the back of your head. It should be up top, but comfortably so.

One Word.... TRADITION!

Posing Tip: A headshot is a pretty standard photo to take during convocation. To prevent it from feeling like a mug shot, angle yourself a little away from the photographer and turn your head ever so slightly towards them. It will look more casual than a straight-on shot will.

Posing Tip: As a new grad, you are a part of the U of A's history, so head to the Presidents' Circle (right next to the Admin Building) for some historically influenced photos. You can pose with the university's first president (that's him standing up) and Alberta's first premier (he's the one sitting). There's room to stand up between them.

Posing Tip: Don't just stand with the university's founders, get in there and pose like you're a part of what's going on. Raise your arms and help President Tory sell his vision for a public institution that can "uplift the whole people."

Posing Tip: You can even give President Tory a high-five while Premier Rutherford looks on. Just reach up and hold your hand in front of the president's. 

Posing Tip: Convocation is the day when you become an official U of A alum, which means that you get to join the tradition of taking photos in the Alumni Walk (which is located at the cross path between SUB, the Admin Building, and quad). Try to stand as close as you can to the plaque to avoid having people in your background.

Posing Tip: Don't be subtle, literally point out the fact that you are now a part of the Alumni Association. 

Posing Tip: This one might be tricky given how crowded the Alumni Walk can get (especially during convocation) - but, it should also be worth it. As an alum, this walk is yours, so own it! Stand above the Alumni seal and embrace your new status as a grad.

You Do You

Posing Tip: Commemorate the reality of your student life by doing a few of the things you used to do on a daily basis. If that means standing in line for a coffee, then do it. (Let's be honest, you probably need a caffeine fix anyway.)

Posing Tip: As a student you must have gone to class.... hopefully.... There are plenty of empty classrooms for you to pose in during convocation - just run in, sit down, and snap away. 

If you decide to take a photo in classroom, try to sit in a middle row towards the centre - it will create more space around you and will better illustrate that you're in a classroom.

Posing Tip: If you can enter a lecture theatre, try to take a "last look" photo by standing down at the front and looking up at the seats. 

Posing Tip: Get quirky!

For more photo ideas, check out our guide to the best places to take your grad photos. 

Special thanks go out to Chelsea (a new Physical Education and Recreation grad) for sharing her convocation experience with us!