Today, at Wooch.een's Annual Native Graduation Celebration we celebrated the indigenous graduates of all levels (including my baby daddy). Family, friends, UAS faculty and staff, community members all gathered to acknowledge and praise these fine students who did somethings pretty amazing. As folks start to pour in from the rain and wind of Juneau, Wooch.een club members greeted everyone with warm smiles and often hugs. It was a great celebration from the moment our first guest joined us.
Elders were seated all over already. When Austin's mom came through the door, she spotted me and came straight to me. She hugged me, and then went straight for the baby to talk to him/her. This was the first time we've seen Austin's mom since we found out. It was incredibly sweet. She said to baby, "Hey baby! Come out, come out!" while rubbing baby :) She went on to see others, and at that moment I spotted my léelkw', David (Kingeistí), shock was bright in his eyes! I greeted him, and he said (still wide-eyed), "You're going to have a baby?!" After a simple "yes" reply, he said, "Háaw..." (A sort of "I'm at a loss for words" reply.) It had to be the funniest thing I've seen in a while :) Then he said I'll probably have a boy.
Cultural note: David is the same clan as my grandpa, Shangukeidi, so I refer to him as my grandfather. He is also the same clan as Austin, and David refers to Austin as his nephew. With these relations established, we were kind of in trouble for not saying anything until now. Austin kind of got the stink eye as he walked behind me and continued on :)
This week in the "Dear Baby" book, baby is going to hear all about the importance of education and what a big deal it is for his/her dad to have graduated, and what it means to me to complete my education for him/her and all my kids.
Congratulations, Austin Love. Everyone is so proud of you.
Cheers. And Congratulations Class of 2012!
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