When Carrie Darcy Davis walks across the stage to accept her CNC diploma, she will be wearing the red and black traditional regalia of the Gitxsan people.
Davis, along with fellow student Puneeta Gulatti ,will be addressing 250 of their fellow students at convocation at 1 p.m. Saturday at CN Centre.
"Traditionally, women wear red and men wear black in my culture," Davis said. "It's a blanket which is a robe of honour. When you wear it, you wear it in an honourable way."
Graduates from a diversity of programs will be attending the ceremony to receive certificates, diplomas and associate degrees.
"I'm so humbled and I feel so honoured to be a part of our big day, for everybody's day and to tell a story that everyone can relate to," Davis said. "And to wear my traditional clothing in front of everyone, it's so special."
Davis, a mature student, will be graduating with a diploma in social work with an aboriginal specialization.
"It was challenging going back to school. My kids missed me. Some days I would start at eight in the morning and not be back until after night class," Davis said.
"I could not have done this without the support of my husband and my mother. They helped me and made sacrifices for me to get here."
Davis grew up in Prince Rupert and moved to Prince George about eight years ago.
"My daughter had medical challenges so we came here because there were more opportunities for her. I knew I wanted to go back to school so I did when she began kindergarten," Davis said.
With her son, now 9, and her daughter about to turn 8, Davis is determined to teach her children in the same way she was taught by her grandmother.
"I made this blanket with my grandmother and I will never forget the experience," Davis said. "I was so humbled to have had the opportunity to learn from her and now I can continue to teach my children and I'm still learning so much from this whole experience."
The robe took about 32 hours to complete and Davis is eager to show her intricately designed work.
"My husband helped trace and cut. There is a wolf on the back. This is myself and these two wolves sit close to my heart. They represent my children."
But the robe is much more than a symbol of tradition and culture. It about self identity for Davis.
"This was made for me, a symbol of completing my education and I am so proud to wear it. You have to be true to who you are," Davis said.
Davis will be continuing her education in September at UNBC where she will begin working toward a bachelor degree in social work with aboriginal specialization.
"I made it through. It feels so surreal. I worked hard and I can't believe all of the recognition I am getting from just being me. I'm so thankful to the community and all of the faculty support. I never expected or felt this before. I had to leave my family everyday, but I now have a family here at CNC."
Davis was recommended to be a student speaker at convocation by one of her social work instructors.
"If I can do this, anyone can. I want to encourage everyone who is struggling with their identity, to dive in and go for it," Davis said.
"This is huge opportunity for me because my grandparents lived through the residential school system. For me to graduate, to reclaim all that was lost, for me is amazing. It takes a lot of work to find out who you are, but it's worth it."
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