BEMIDJI—A collection of students at BSU got a small, but perhaps more meaningful, taste of their upcoming graduation ceremony.

The university held its 37th annual American Indian Students Awards Recognition Banquet on Thursday—a celebration of American Indian students’ accomplishments in the classroom and the community.

The banquet recognized 27 students who are set to graduate this May and a swath of current or graduating students with high GPAs. University leaders also singled out three students for the banquet’s two community leadership awards and an Outstanding American Indian Student of the Year award.

The banquet featured Red Lake walleye and wild rice; a welcome song from the Ogidaaki Singers; and an invocation spoken entirely in Ojibwe that earned a hearty round of applause. Each soon-to-be graduate received a special stole—a patterned, scarf-like adornment they’ll wear over their robes at graduation—signifying that they’re a BSU American Indian alumnus.

“You see a lot of young kids at the banquet there to see Auntie or Uncle or Mom or Dad get these awards,” said Bill Blackwell, Jr., executive director of the American Indian Resource Center. “We’re kind of creating an idea in the next generation’s heads that college is accessible to them, and they get to see someone role modeling that.”

Blackwell said that some students look forward to the banquet more than the formal commencement next month.

“This is a way for us to really ensure that our culture continues,” he explained, adding that he vividly remembers his own time on the same stage a few years ago. “It’s a way for us to really make sure that we are being more of who we are.”

One of the community leadership awards is named after Roger Aitken, a longtime advocate for American Indian students and BSU grad who passed away in February. Blackwell said Aitken led the charge to get the resource center built and was named an outstanding alumni himself in the ’90s.

Graduating senior Nicole Buckanaga received the Community Leadership Award, junior Naomi Johnson received the Roger Aitken Leadership Award and junior Madeline Treuer received the Outstanding American Indian Student of the Year award.

“It’s a big night,” Blackwell said. “We’re more than honored to be able to spend it with all of the people that are doing great work for us.”