Graduation season at the University of Utah is a time of celebration on campus, with thousands of students anxiously anticipating the day they have worked so hard to attain. For some Native American students, it is also a time to commemorate their ancestral heritage, which has been a significant component of their educational success.
This week, the U’s Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement (CNETE) hosted its annual Blanket Honoring Ceremony—a deeply meaningful tradition begun in 2022 that celebrates the achievements of graduating students. Each participating student receives a blanket designed to honor their milestone accomplishment.
Inspired by the hawks that fly over Red Butte Canyon, the blanket incorporates U colors with geometric hawks soaring.
“Graduation is all about gaining your wings and learning where to go from here,” said Samantha Eldridge [Diné], CNETE director. “Now is the time to trust in your preparation and spread your wings. The arrows represent momentum and upward movement. Aim high and have the confidence to pursue new heights.”
“When bestowed upon graduates, the blankets symbolize the journey of learning and growth, serving as a reminder of their roots, the wisdom of generations past, and the support that surrounds them as they move forward,” Eldridge said.
For graduating physics major, Tasheena Cly of the Navajo Nation, the blanket ceremony provides “space to finally stop, take a breath, and let the reality of my achievement sink in.”
“After years of focusing on my studies at the U, having my two family members drape the blanket over my shoulders is deeply meaningful, as it acknowledges the support they provided throughout my entire time at the university,” she said. “This moment allows me to look back on all the lessons and memories I’ve gathered here, and it brings everything into perspective. It is a time to share my story with my family and thank them for helping me reach this next stage. I am looking back at how far I’ve come, while feeling ready to move forward into my career and the journey ahead.”
Political science grad Joseph Du Shane-Navanick of the Ute Indian Tribe blanket ceremony is “a chance for your people to recognize you and for you to recognize your people.”
“It means a lot more than just something that keeps you warm,” he said. “Blankets were given traditionally when you love somebody or when you want to take care of somebody.”
Du Shane-Navanick plans to attend law school and specialize in American Indian law.
“It’s studying the relationship between the federal government and tribal nations,” he explained. “Cases where tribes pursue the federal government or federal actors. I want to do that so I can give back to my community.”