A halt to diversity, equity and inclusion ceremonies at the Maricopa Community College District did not stop one Native community from celebrating Native American graduates. 

On May 2, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community proudly hosted the American Indian Convocation at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

A procession line of 56 graduates, some dressed in traditional regalia while others wore graduation gowns, marched onto the field to the drumbeats of an honor song by Maswadee, a drum group from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Graduates represented Native nations from all over, including the Southwest and the SRPMIC. 

On the baseball diamond, 22 tribal flags representing the Native nations in the state waved as families, friends and supporters welcomed the graduates into the ballpark stands. The flags were borrowed from the University of Arizona. 

Only weeks before, Maricopa Community College District Native graduates anticipated no tribal celebration for their educational achievements. 

“We were told we wouldn’t have the honor of sitting alongside our fellow Indigenous classmates,” said graduate Molly Sanchez. “But thanks to the swift action of SRPMIC, we are here today, and that speaks to the resilience that our community embodies.”

The quick action taken by the SRPMIC allowed for graduates from the district’s 10 colleges to celebrate their achievements and tribal identities with other Native students in a smaller, more intimate ceremony, surrounded by culture and community. In past years, such events were hosted by one of the community colleges. 

District schools include Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College.

The college district was among institutions across the country to cancel ceremonies honoring historically oppressed groups because of threats of federal funding cuts by the Trump administration. 

SRPMIC, along with the support of the Gila River Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation, volunteered to host the event to uplift Native students.

“When we first heard this convocation was cancelled, it was really disheartening and I really felt for our students,” SRPMIC Council member Mikah Carlos said. “We put an emphasis on education in the Community, so we wanted to stand by that and make sure that we did the right thing. This is the right thing to do: to celebrate our students.”

Carlos is a past graduate of Scottsdale Community College, which is located on the western edge of the Community and is believed to be the only community college in the U.S. to reside on tribal lands. 

To begin the ceremony, Jacob Moore, vice-president of Office of University Affairs at Arizona State University, emceed the event and welcomed all in attendance. Moore is from the Tohono O’odham Nation. 

Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly of the Tohono O’odham Nation was the keynote speaker and SRPMIC President Martin Harvier also shared words. SRPMIC Council members David Antone, Michael Dallas and Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis were among those to recognize the students on the field.

An honorary visit was made by Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, who delivered congratulatory remarks. 

“To you, the class of 2025, let me say this loudly and clearly: the state of Arizona values you, your heritage, your contributions, and your traditions. Despite the rhetoric from the federal government, know that as long as I am governor, your identities will not be erased – they will be celebrated,” she said.

Following the tradition of past MCCD Native convocations, three exceptional students were selected to present their unique college experience.

Student speakers included Molly Sanchez from Scottsdale Community College, Collin Skeets (Navajo) from Mesa Community College, and Niyah Joaquin (Gila River, Apache and Tohono O’odham) from Chandler Gilbert Community College.

Sanchez, a SRPMIC member, shared her journey of balancing motherhood and work, and eventually higher education. 

“I encourage each of you to promise yourselves that you will work hard but also take the time to enjoy where you are in life,” said Sanchez. “Remember, Creator wouldn’t have put a dream so big in your heart if it wasn’t achievable.”

Following the speakers, a presentation by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Traditional Dancers displayed the basket and gourd songs of the Onk Akimel O’odham. Vice-President Ricardo Leonard provided the song.

After much anticipation, the recognition of the graduates began. 

Instead of a traditional graduate stole, each graduate was bestowed a shell necklace with a Man in the Maze engraved pendant after their names were announced. A congratulatory message in the back in O’odham and Piipaash to remind the graduates of their journey of strength and celebration. 

One by one, graduates of all ages, tribal backgrounds, and walks of life crossed the field as families, friends and supporters cheered. 

The ceremony served as a reminder of not only academic achievement, but the power of tribal communities uniting to support their future leaders. In a time when recognition of Indigenous students was under threat, the Community and supporting tribal communities sent a stronger message instead: Native students matter, and their success will always be celebrated. 

For many, the journey to this moment was not easy. Many obstacles had to be overcome. But through strength, support and many late nights, the Native students finally made it to the finish line. Surrounded by their Native student peers, each made their respective tribal community proud.

“Congratulations, Class of 2025. We are the new generation of hope,” said student speaker Niyah Joaquin. “We are the future our ancestors dreamed of.”