---
title: A Warm Embrace for Graduating Indigenous Students
date: 2024-05-15T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/a-warm-embrace-for-graduating-indigenous-students"
section: Articles
---
# A Warm Embrace for Graduating Indigenous Students

*May 15, 2024* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> UMD Hosts Inaugural Blanket Ceremony for Seniors

*Indigenous Students Blanket Ceremony 05112024 SC 2837 1920x1080 1 — Graduating seniors with Native heritage were honored on Saturday at the university’s first blanket ceremony, a traditional Native celebration. Assistant Professor Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner led a drum ceremony at the event. Samuel Celentano, a December 2023 graduate (below), attended with his parents.*

To the pounding of a deer hide drum, a group of students stood with wool blankets draped around their shoulders, wrapped up in the warmth of the colorful fabric and the well wishes of their community.

On Saturday, University of Maryland seniors with Native American heritage gathered for the university’s first blanket ceremony, a tradition that marks significant milestones in life. Led by Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner, founding director of UMD’s new [Indigenous Futures Lab](https://wgss.umd.edu/research/ifl) and assistant professor in the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, the inaugural event honored the students for their involvement in the Native community on campus and sent them off with a keepsake of their time at Maryland.

“When we wrap the blanket around them, that represents us all collectively wrapping our arms around that person who we’re very proud of,” said Meissner, who’s of Luiseño and Cupeño heritage.


*woman takes photo of student with parents*


*six students with blankets draped around them*



**Sidebar note:**

The University of Maryland will celebrate August 2023, December 2023 and May 2024 graduates at the annual campuswide Commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday at SECU Stadium. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will deliver the commencement address.

For details on the program, speaker bios, individual ceremony information for colleges and schools, and information on parking and accommodations, visit [commencement.umd.edu](http://commencement.umd.edu/).





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience), [Multicultural Community](https://today.umd.edu/topic/multicultural-community)


**Units:** [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities), [Division of Student Affairs](https://today.umd.edu/topic/division-student-affairs)