Arizona Native graduates celebrate achievement at Salt River Fields [Video]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It’s a celebration of academic achievement and culture.

On Friday, about 30 Native American graduates from all over the Valley gathered at the Salt River Fields for a special convocation to honor their hard work and dedication.

It’s a long-standing tradition that has been going on for decades, but this year that tradition almost ended.

Maricopa County Community College District, made up of 10 colleges, cancelled graduation ceremonies for minority groups in response to the U.S. Department of Education threatening to defund colleges that engage in Diversity, Equity and inclusion practices.

Graduates like Diondra Descheenie of the Navajo Nation, who earned her associate degree at Scottsdale Community College, said she learned that the special ceremony would not happen by e-mail.  

“I felt like …