Indigenous graduates of Red Deer Polytechnic in Alberta this year were surprised when they were given gifts — including a blanket featuring a white buffalo — from the school's Indigenous Students Services office. 

Lloyd Desjarlais, dean of Indigenous initiatives, said it was recognition from the institution "that they are Indigenous; they are unique." 

"And I think it did catch a few of them off guard but, you know, all pleasantly surprised and very happy."

Desjarlais, who is from Piapot First Nat…