Re-Cultured Graduation Gown!

 President-Vice-Chancler Patrick Deane & J'net Ay Ay Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh, B.A., M.A.

...
As Alumni from

Vancouver Island University,

I was contacted

to attend

McMaster University

to represent VIU and welcome

the new President &Vice-Chancler Patrick Deane

in 2010

...

J'net Ay Ay Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh, B.A., M.A

...

When asked to participate 

I was also told I needed 

to have a

Grad Gown or rent one.

I kept the Grad Gown from my 

MA in Leadership & Training

from Royal Roads University

Graduation 

and 

Re-Cultured the gown 

with black faux suede hands 

on the front

and 

back of the gown 

shown in the photo's here.

...

With my Cedar Bark hat

that Geraldine Edgar Tom helped me make

with a Canada Council for the Arts Grant

shined-up Nuu-chah-nulth pendant
and the eagle feather given to me 

by Vancouver Island University 

when I graduated

was a distinct look 

at an event with
University and College representatives
from all over Canada

More than one person asked if 

my regalia was what

all the Indigenous students

wore when they graduated from VIU

with a smile I answered...

"Not yet...but would be a lovely tradition!"