Students come to Flandreau Indian School from all over the country and leave as family, the class of 2019 salutatorian Tristen King told fellow graduates Wednesday.
“We all had different pasts,” he said. “The school helps makes connections between people.”
King, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, was one of 52 graduates at FIS. He spoke at the school’s commencement that filled the auditorium with family and friends.
He and valedictorian Jacob Cabarrubia of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians gave the student addresses, speaking to the success of students making it to graduation. They also were Regent Scholars winners.
Cabarrubia spoke about how he finished last in the first varsity cross country meet he ran, but said students should look at defeats as opportunities. “I finished last, but I finished the race,” he said. “If you start from the back, the only place to go is up.”

He also wasn’t sure he would be able to speak at graduation but remembered something from his speech class. “If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing,” he said. “I saw this as an opportunity to grow.”
Several students wore quilts from their families as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, and relatives from their home areas made the trip to Flandreau to cheer them on.
Tammy Redzanic met Makonhs Stevens from Michigan and Sterling Barse from Sisseton when she was a house mother and they were young students at Circle of Nations Boarding School in Wahpeton, N.D. At graduation, she took her picture with them as FIS graduates.
“It’s almost like they’re mine graduating,” she said.
Melissa Buffalo with the American Indian Cancer Foundation in Sioux Falls told students that she overcame growing up in a family where alcohol was abused, moved to several cities and went on to earn a master’s degree.
“When I was 18 I never saw life outside of Rapid City, let alone South Dakota,” she said. “I’m breaking that pattern because my children deserve better. We all deserve better.”
Buffalo told students that their ancestors experienced trauma and pain and are standing with them to pave their paths.
“As you walk out that door today, be inspired to inspire others,” she said.