Algonquin College Brings Anishinabe Language to Ottawa Campus Streets
Posted on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024
For Immediate Release
Ottawa, ON, April 2, 2024 — Today, as part of its continuing commitment to Reconciliation and as part of its indigenization strategy, Algonquin College honoured the Indigenous language of the region by naming four private streets on the Ottawa campus with Anishinabe names.
“Our Indigenous Pathways Project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to preserving Indigenous culture and heritage through the installation of interior signage, murals, and wayfinding signs,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College. “With the introduction of exterior street signs, our college embraces and celebrates the first language of this territory, fostering familiarity with Anishinàbe language, history, and culture throughout our Ottawa campus.”
“I’m extremely honored and happy to see our language present within the street names and wayfinding signs,” said Anita Tenasco, Director, Indigenous Initiatives at Algonquin College. “Algonquin College is working very hard to create future leaders and when students and graduates leave the institution, they take with them a bit of knowledge about the language and culture of our territory. It’s important in healing, in reconciliation and good for Canada.”
Tenasco added, “I believe that our Indigenous students have a sense of pride by seeing these signs and seeing they belong on campus and embracing the language of the territory is a way to allow our Indigenous students to see themselves and their culture.”
These elements are instrumental in recognizing and honoring the Anishinàbe peoples, as part of Algonquin College’s broader goal to ensure the presence of traditional Indigenous language and culture on campus. This effort reflects the language of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People in street names, contributing to Indigenous language revitalization.
About the names
In conjunction with the Indigenous Education Council the following names were selected:
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Wajashk Private (wahJASHkah) |
Muskrat |
Completing dams in collaboration with Amik and Nigig, he is a fast swimmer with webbed feet. He is credited with Anishinàbe creation story. |
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Nigig Private (nehGIG) |
Otter |
Part of the creation story for Anishinàbe people, Nigig is treasured for his work under water, on ground and is medicinal. |
|
Adjidjàk Private (ahdidJACK) |
Crane |
Cranes are beautiful creatures who stand tall in swampy areas or edge of the waters to hunt small catches. They are a vital important species to the eco-system. |
|
Wàbisheshì Private (wahbehSHESHSHEE) |
Marten |
A cousin of the wolf, Wàbisheshi is also a good hunter, survivalist and dangerous when approached. |
There will be no change to the overall College address, and Algonquin can still be referred to as 1385 Woodroffe Ave. You can review the Ottawa campus map to see where the streets have been named. This project complements the interior pathways Indigenous names that were introduced in 2022.
Interior Pathways Project
As part of Algonquin College’s Indigenization Strategy, Facilities Planning worked with Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenization to name interior and exterior ‘pathways’ on the Ottawa campus using Indigenous names and language.
The street naming is part of a larger Indigenous wayfinding strategy that will expand and complement the interior pathways at the Ottawa campus. The language of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People will be reflected in the street names to embrace Indigenous language revitalization.
Animal names were provided by the Indigenous Education Council in order of cultural significance to the territory. Each animal was assigned a hieroglyphic icon from the Indigenous Hieroglyphics, using the seven original clans of the Anishinàbe and Seven Grandfather teachings. All Eighteen animal pictograms and names can be found together in Building C’s main lobby, Gathering Place.
For more information visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/tri/indigenous-pathways/
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About Algonquin College
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 250 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke and AC Online.
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Sara-Lynne Levine
Communications Officer
levines2@algonquincollege.com
613-614-1769
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