YELLOWKNIFE - Organizers of Saturday's Honour Ceremony for Aboriginal graduates stressed that students completing college and high school programs are role models to younger Aboriginals.

"My younger cousins look up to me and my older brother," said Trevor Betsina after the event. He just graduated from St. Patrick high school and was one of 26 to take part in the ceremony.

The event included students from Aurora College and both high schools. In all, 62 Aboriginal students were eligible to take part.

"Most of our younger cousins look up to us because of the things we've accomplished," he said.

"I hope to be," Katrina Vodnoski said on whether she thought she was a role model. She graduated from Sir John Franklin school.

"I hope I'm a role model. I have a lot of younger cousins," Deirdralee Roy said.

For others, completing high school and participating in the ceremony was a tribute to their heritage.

"It was important to me. My ancestors were Aboriginal," said Curtis Beaulieu, also from St Pat's.

"You are the proof to the other students in your school," said Finance Minister Floyd Roland, speaking on behalf of the legislative assembly.

"Your strength and determination has gotten you here today."

The ceremony featured a tobacco burning ceremony and traditional drumming. After presentations had been made, graduates, family and friends ate and enjoyed jigging, fiddling and presentations of traditional games.

Grads were looking to the future already, however.

"I'm going to Grant McEwan college. It's a college in Edmonton. I'm going to study psychology," said Tanice McNabb, a graduate from St. Pat's.

"I'm just going to go off into the workforce," Vodnoski said, before deciding what she wanted to do next.

"I'm thinking about taking up a trade and becoming a professional golfer," Betsina said.

He has competed previously in the Canadian North Midnight Sun golf tournament.

"I'm going to go live on my own, and then I'm going to go to the University of Alberta to become an engineer," Roy said.

Principal of St. Patrick high school Johnnie Bowden said that the school's participation in the event is important.

"Firstly and foremost the Aboriginal students need to be honoured within their community."

He said it was also important because younger Aboriginal students need to see they have role models.