The Native American House Congratulatory Ceremony is a community-focused event celebrating the graduation of Native and Indigenous students. Graduates and their families are invited to participate in a meaningful, unique program featuring traditional songs, dances, and other cultural acknowledgments to honor degree completion. Throughout the Ceremony, participants will hear messages from Elders, university leadership, and other special guests. A buffet-style dinner concludes this event.
Beyond celebration, this Ceremony aspires to instill in graduates a commitment to carry good hearts and minds as they transition into the global community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Time: 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Illini Union, Illini Rooms A, B, & C
Graduating students are invited (but not expected) to wear traditional dress to the Ceremony, in place or in addition to the cap and gown. Regalia is also welcome; keep in mind you will be blanketed during the Ceremony.
Register for the 2026 Native American House Congratulatory Ceremony
Keynote Speaker
Cori Bazemore-James, Ph.D.
Seneca Nation of Indians of Western New York
Assistant Vice Provost, Graduate School Diversity Office
Affiliate Faculty, Higher Education
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Dr. Cori Bazemore-James (she/her) is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians of Western New York and was raised in a Lakota community in South Dakota. She is also a proud member of the Alpha Pi Omega Sorority Inc., the country’s oldest Indigenous Greek letter organization.
Dr. Bazemore-James [pronounced: Bayze-more-James] is a scholar-practitioner in Student Affairs with a research focus on centering Indigenous Knowledge to develop the functional area of Indigenous Student Affairs (ISA) and supporting Indigenous students and educators in predominantly white institutions. She got her start in the field by co-founding the Office of Native Student Services at the University of South Dakota in 2006. She also has experience in the functional areas of Admissions, TRiO Programs, Multicultural Services and Programs, Student Affairs Assessment, and she now leads the Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) at UMN. Dr. Bazemore-James is the founder of the ACPA Indigenous Student Affairs Network (ISAN), the first national or international professional network of ISA educators, and has served on the ACPA Governing Board and the NCORE National Advisory Council. Based on her award-winning research, Dr. Bazemore-James has led the development of the first Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Standards for the Indigenous Student Affairs functional area (released Jan 2021).
Congratulatory Ceremony Program
The program involves sharing knowledge, words of encouragement, and traditional forms of honoring as graduates prepare for a new journey ahead. Additionally, the impact of higher education on Native, First Nations, and Indigenous communities is emphasized.
- Welcome
- Grand Entry Procession
- Invocation
- Flag Song & Veteran Song
- Recognition of Place
- University Leadership Welcome
- Keynote Speaker
- Presentation of Graduates
- Honor Song
- Closing Remarks
- Round Dance
- Prayer for Meal
- Celebratory Dinner
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I arrive?
The doors to the venue will open at 3:00 p.m. Graduating students, please arrive 30 minutes before the event begins to locate seating for yourself and accompanying guests. Seating for guests is on a first come, first served basis.
For graduating students:
Please arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the Ceremony. Upon arrival, check in at the registration table located in the lobby outside Illini Rooms A, B, and C. A volunteer will then escort you to a designated waiting area for photos and the powwow-style processional line-up.
For families and guests:
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage families and guests to arrive early to ensure adequate seating.
Where do I park?
There are multiple graduation ceremonies and related activities at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and so parking will be limited. Guests should be prepared to walk, as parking may not be available in close proximity to the Illini Union.
Please visit the Campus Parking webpage for the most up-to-date parking information: https://parking.illinois.edu/
Kindly note that parking in spaces designated as “Reserved” or at bagged meters is prohibited and may result in your vehicle being towed.
Is the event space ADA-compliant?
While multiple ADA-accessible entrances are available on all sides of the Illini Union, we encourage guests with mobility concerns to be dropped off at the north-facing entrance.
ADA-accesible restrooms are available on th first floor. There is also a limited number of accessible parking spots near the venue. View the accessibility map for more information.
Can I take pictures?
Yes. However, in our effort to create a culturally safe space, do not take pictures during prayers or when the Master of Ceremonies has said not to. If you wish to take pictures of dancers in regalia, it is always good to ask first.
Additional questions?
Please email the Native American House at nah@illinois.edu.