Manitoba hosts 1st annual celebration of Indigenous women graduates

Indigenous women of the graduating class of 2025, who were honoured here in Winnipeg on Thursday for their strength, their stories, and the bright futures they’re building.

Thursday’s ceremony was the first ever celebration hosted by Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine.

The gathering honours Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse graduates from across the province, highlighting their leadership and resilience across education, community work, and cultural revitalization

“Often when we talk about Indigenous women, it’s always about the harms done or realities and experiences they faced, but what gets left out of those discussions is all the positives, amazing things Indigenous women are accomplishing,” said Minister Fontaine.

Among the graduates is 66-year-old Victoria McIntosh, a residential and day school survivor who recently completed her master’s in education and is now beginning her PHD.

“I started university at the age of 50, and if I can do it at that age of 50, there are no excuses, you are either going to take it or sit back, the choice is yours,” said McIntosh.

Along with a special graduation cap designed by her family, McIntosh also brought with her a small jacket sewn by her grandmother, which she wore to school as a kid.

She described it as a symbol of strength and survival, and a reminder of her journey from that first day in a residential classroom to now becoming an educator herself.

“This is the little girl at age four going into this dark, cold place, but after being in there for those years, something always guided me through; there was a part of me no one was going to touch,” said McIntosh.

Now set to take on a new job in Winkler, McIntosh hopes to inspire future generations to pursue their goals.