Waterfront Campus Blog

Algonquin College Speaker Series-Canada’s Residential School Tragedy

At Parliament Hill, the small shoes and teddy bears that surround the Centennial Flame are weather-beaten. They have been there since the discovery of 215 unmarked graves in Kamloops, British Columbia earlier this summer. Since then, the remains of hundreds more children have been found at former residential schools.

Each day these tiny bits of children’s clothing are viewed by thousands of visitors to Canada’s capital, a stark reminder of Canada’s tragic residential school history. As the country prepares for its first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, Canadians are trying to come to grips with this history, a truth that was known but somehow stayed out of the Canadian conscience for decades.

“We knew,” says Ry Moran, founding Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and now the first Associate Librarian for Reconciliation at the University of Victoria. Moran was on the front line of reviewing residential school survivor stories during the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission led by his Honour, Murray Sinclair.

Through this work, Moran and his team reviewed more than 7,000 statements, recording many of them on video, an emotional experience which he says has changed him forever. “You can not help but be moved, and to see the injustices of this country laid bare. We have to as individual Canadian citizens come to understand what happened in residential schools,” says Moran.

Moran will be speaking on Canada’s Residential School Tragedy at a virtual Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Speaker Series on Tuesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. The hour-long session will include a question-and-answer period, but it will mostly be an opportunity for Moran to share the truth of what happened at residential schools. “Whether it is comfortable or not, it is the truth. A great wrong was done to communities, to families, to those children by ignoring their human rights. That great wrong is what Canadians have to understand,” emphasizes Moran.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 calls to action when it released its final report in 2015. Among them was recommendation number 80 to establish as a statutory holiday, a National Day to honour survivors, their families and communities and to ensure public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools.

The commission deemed this national day as being a vital component of the reconciliation process, choosing a day that had already gained traction because of the story it represented. Initiated in 2013 in Williams Lake, British Columbia, Orange Shirt Day on September 30 was established to remember the story of a little girl, Phyllis Webstad, who on her first day attending a residential school had her new orange shirt taken away. The shirt had been given to her by her Grandmother and was never returned. As an adult, Webstad shared this story, describing how deeply hurt she was but that “no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing.”

Ry Moran, Founding Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is interviewed by Algonquin College Manager of Community and Student Affairs on Your TV Ottawa Valley (Cogeco Cable) about Canada’s Residential School past and the impact these schools have had on Indigenous peoples and communities.

In his home office, Moran has an orange shirt and an Indigenous blanket hanging from his wall. The blanket was given to Moran shortly after the National Centre was created at the University of Manitoba where a much larger version of the blanket is on display. The blanket and the shirt remind him of all of the children who were affected by residential schools, whether they experienced them first hand or have been impacted by the legacy impact of the schools on Indigenous families and communities.

“The history has been present, but frankly, Canadians have not been paying attention. We have to care more,” says Moran.

Moran believes Canadians are now paying attention. He cites more access to public education about Indigenous history and a lot of brave people speaking out and sharing their stories as a catalyst for a public discourse that is long overdue. But, he also says it is just the beginning, offering this advice to Canadians.

“Listen and follow Indigenous thought leaders, get informed, get involved, stand up for injustices and make it your business,” says Moran. That’s what Moran is doing. As a member of the Red River Metis and through his work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he has made many connections over the past decade and continues to learn more about his heritage and his country. As he learns, he shares, becoming one of the important voices to ensure the calls to action are implemented.

In Ottawa, the Centennial Flame was first lit in 1967 to commemorate the county’s one-hundredth anniversary. It has been a place where Canadians have had their picture taken in front of the back-drop of the Peace Tower and Centre Block, the centre of our country’s government.

Today, the Flame has become a focal point for people to express their remorse for what happened at residential schools. The children’s clothing, including orange t-shirts, that surround the flame reminds us of Phyllis Webstad, the little girl who was forcibly taken from her home, stripped of her culture, her language and her identity. She survived. Many did not. Knowing this truth brings meaning to the message of orange shirt day – every child matters.

Post by: Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Ry Moran will also be presenting at the College’s Fall Business Leadership conference on Monday, October 25. During his virtual session, Moran will discuss how to bring truth and reconciliation into the workplace.

Project Hero Recipient Remembers Her Father as Afghanistan Returns to Turmoil

The scenes of despair that have emerged from Afghanistan have shocked the world. Afghans hanging off of airplanes trying to leave the country as it grapples with the return of the Taliban to power, are reminders of why Canadian soldiers spent more than ten years in the war-torn country trying to give Afghans a better life. Now, as an oppressive regime regains power the war-torn country is again in turmoil and there are fears the progress that had been made has been lost.

From 2002 to 2014, Canada sent 40,000 troops to Afghanistan, a NATO mission that cost 158 Canadian soldiers their lives including Chief Warrant Officer, Robert Girouard, who lost his life two days after his 46^th birthday. Based at Garrison Petawawa, Girouard had been in the armed forces for almost 30 years. He was a career soldier, married with three children and well respected by the troops who reported to him and soldiered beside him.

His only daughter, Jocelyn Girouard-Ranger, has been thinking a lot about her father as Afghanistan unravels. “I refuse to believe that he died in vain,” says Girouard-Ranger, who was 21 years old when she lost the man who had raised her as the family moved around the world from one base to another, including a posting in Germany and several stops in Canada. “He loved the military. He joined at 17 years old. He was hard-working, good at his job and got along well with people. He and my Mom were talking about retirement after Afghanistan,” says Girouard-Ranger.

Jocelyn Girouard-Ranger with her Father, Chief Warrant Officer, Robert Girouard, shortly before he was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.

On November 27, 2006, Warrant Officer Girouard was in an armoured vehicle participating in a military convoy in Kandahar, a hot spot where militant Taliban insurgents often clashed with NATO troops. A suicide bomber drove a car into the middle of the convoy setting off a powerful explosion that killed Girouard and another Canadian soldier, Corporal Albert Storm.

When the tragedy happened, Jocelyn Girouard-Ranger had just started in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She was planning her wedding, scheduled for eight months later, but her father’s death dealt her a jarring blow. She dropped out of school, had trouble coping and considered cancelling her marriage ceremony. “I just didn’t know how I was going to walk down the aisle without him,” says Girouard-Ranger.

She and her husband, Sergeant Eric Ranger, did go ahead with their wedding and three years later, Girouard-Ranger was ready to return to school. She was also a first time Mom when she made plans to enroll in the Business program at the Pembroke Campus. She was prepared to fund her education on her own.

One day she was reading a newspaper article and learned about Project Hero, an initiative inspired and launched by retired General Rick Hillier and Kevin Reed, a Toronto businessman and Honorary Canadian Forces Lieutenant Colonel during the peak of the Afghanistan war. Project Hero encouraged Canadian colleges and universities to offer free tuition to the children of soldiers killed in military missions. Algonquin College was one of the first colleges in the country to sign on.

Girouard-Ranger contacted the Pembroke Campus to inquire if she was eligible for the scholarship. Within days the financial strain of paying for her post-secondary tuition was removed. She also received support through another initiative called Canada Company that helped cover additional educational expenses. Looking back, she says Project Hero had a huge impact on her ability to attend school, but also in helping her come to terms with her father’s passing.

“It is a tangible and purposeful reminder that these fallen soldier’s legacy lives on in the civilian world. These programs are a reminder that their sacrifice wasn’t forgotten by the public,” says Girouard-Ranger.

Jocelyn Girouard-Ranger stands in a Memorial park at Garrison Petawawa where her father, Chief Warrant Officer, Robert Girouard is honoured and remembered.

Fifteen years after her father lost his life in Afghanistan, Girouard-Ranger continues to live in Petawawa, where she and her husband are raising three children. She now works for a counselling office, where she works as a client care coordinator and bookkeeper, combining her interest in business and helping others.

Every year she visits her father’s gravesite at the Beechwood cemetery in Ottawa, the final resting place for hundreds of Canadian soldiers. Shortly before his death, her Dad had decided that if something happened to him in Afghanistan, he wanted to be buried among those who had served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Until his final breath, Robert Girouard remained a dedicated soldier who died a hero. He died young, without the opportunity to see his daughter graduate from college and to become a mother. Project Hero was created to honour his sacrifice and to help take care of those he left behind. It is a living memorial to Girouard and his fellow servicemen and women lost while serving their country. They were all heroes.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus)

Algonquin College Social Services Worker Graduate is Voice for Inuit Youth

Crystal Martin-Lapenskie knows the hardships faced by Inuit communities. She was raised in Sanirajak in Nunavut, spending her early years in Canada’s Arctic region before moving to the Ottawa Valley as a teenager. For the past two years as the President of the National Inuit Youth Council she has been a powerful voice as an advocate for young people who often struggle to have access to the necessities of life.

From an early age, Martin-Lapenskie wanted to make a difference. After graduating from Opeongo High School, near her Ottawa Valley home in Eganville, she had considered becoming a police officer and applied to the Police Foundations program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. But, she changed her mind and instead enrolled in the Social Service Worker program, a decision that would propel Martin-Lapenskie into an advocacy role that has taken her around the world, working directly with Indigenous leaders, elected officials and like-minded individuals to shine a light on the most pressing social justice issues facing Inuit youth. She has twice met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and has connected with several federal cabinet ministers where she has participated in committees and working groups to address public policy.

Martin-Lapenskie graduated from Algonquin College in 2013. Soon after she began working with Inuit communities, taking on leadership positions in economic development while also supporting not-for-profit organizations and starting her own consulting business. Her roles included being a project manager and Acting Regional Director for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and working with Ontario’s Ministry of Education to develop and revamp curriculum to include Inuit history.

Frequently invited to round tables and consultations with government officials, Martin-Lapenskie is always willing to share her voice as a representative for Canada’s Inuit youth. The 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation report have become her playbook as she brings attention to the many issues facing young people in Canada’s Northern communities such as access to mental health services, but surprisingly, Martin-Lapenskie believes there has been a silver lining through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Inuit have the highest suicide rates not only in Canada, but in the entire world. When COVID happened last year, my heart sank with the thought of losing more youth as we lack proper mental health services across Inuit Nunangat, but the pandemic brought our communities together and that closeness has resulted in the lowest suicide numbers we’ve seen. Inuit youth are utilizing this time to immerse themselves out on the land with their loved ones, proving that land based initiatives are paramount to the well-being of our people,” says Martin-Lapenskie.

Crystal Martin-Lapenskie is intelligent, well spoken and passionate about her work, much of it unpaid. Volunteerism is a huge part of her approach to sharing her message about the needs of Inuit youth. She sits on several committees providing valuable input to organizations such as the Renfrew County District School Board, Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, United Way East Ontario, International Inuit Business Association, and the Kamatsianig Council that advises on polices that impact Inuit children and youth in the welfare sector.

“Canadians need to know that Inuit are among the most resourceful, resilient and adaptable people in Canada and although they live through socio-economic disparities, Inuit youth have not lost hope and have been awakened by the reclamation of our cultural traditions and language,” says Martin-Lapenskie, who has taken a particular interest in supporting the health and wellness of Inuit.

She recently welcomed a production crew to her home so she could record a federal public service announcement encouraging Inuit to get their vaccination to help stop the spread of the pandemic. It’s this type of meaningful advocacy that has made Martin-Lapenskie one of Canada’s most important Indigenous voices.

As she wraps up her two-year term as the President of the National Inuit Council, Martin-Lapenskie is proud of the work that she has done, but is not about to slow down in her advocacy efforts. She understands too well the socio-economic issues facing Northern youth and has committed herself to staying connected with a part of Canada that few Canadians know. For Martin-Lapenskie, the North will always be her home, the place that drives her ambition to help others and the reason she became a Social Service Worker.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

The Legacy of Allan and Kathleen Huckabone at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

Allan Huckabone had charisma. He could hold court in any room he entered and on November 24, 2009 he had the audience’s attention at a dinner held at the former Algonquin College Pembroke Campus. He and his wife, Kathleen, were among a group of college supporters who were interested in the effort being made to build a new campus, but very few in the crowd knew that they were about to make a jaw dropping announcement.

The campus was just down the street from where Allan Huckabone had grown up. He knew the building’s history as a former dairy and understood it was aging and had its limitations in meeting the expectations of college students. His very close friend, Fred Blackstein, was on the College Board of Governors and a year earlier had brought forward a motion that was unanimously approved to build a Waterfront Campus along the shores of the Ottawa River. Blackstein also threw his support behind the fundraising campaign, letting his name stand as Honorary Chair, helping share the story of how important the project was to the region.

The Huckabones wanted to help. Their son, Mark Huckabone, had been recruited to chair the fundraising effort, a campaign to raise $2.5 million towards the overall project cost of $36-million. The Pembroke Campus had never gone to the community before to raise money and with no history of fundraising a strong case needed to be made to bring donors on board.

The case was solid. The building the school had been operating in since the 1960’s was aging and landlocked with no room for expansion. It lacked the modern amenities that post-secondary schools offered students such as a gymnasium and fitness centre. The College had secured land from the city to build a new campus with the promise of helping to revitalize Pembroke’s downtown and ultimately a modern facility would attract more local and out of town students, helping support the local labour market and driving further economic spinoffs for the entire region.

Kathleen and Allan Huckabone believed in the project. When they stood behind a podium at the old campus and announced they had donated a half-a-million dollars to the campaign they gave the fundraising campaign the boost it needed. As Kathleen told the audience, “We hope this donation will spark a flame to go through this room to all of the Valley,” to encourage more support for this worthwhile project.

It sure did. Other donations followed. Businesses, individuals, families and organizations followed the Huckabones lead and committed to helping the College reach its fundraising target. The project had momentum.

When sod was turned in the spring of 2011, the Huckabones were there. When the grand opening was held on November 28, 2012, they were there too, beaming as they posed near the campus library, which had been named after them.

Allan Huckabone passed away a few days ago at Miramichi Lodge where he had lived the final years of his life. Kathleen Huckabone had died in 2015. Together, they left a legacy. Known for their philanthropic generosity, they supported many community projects, but their gift to Algonquin College will forever be remembered because of its significance.

At the time the Huckabones made their donation public, Algonquin College was also raising funds for new buildings in Ottawa and Perth. College President, Robert Gillett, said of the Huckabone contribution, “This is the largest single donation by a family of all of the gifts we have received so far.”

The donor wall at the campus carries a quote from Mark Huckabone that reads, “For every enthusiastic student who attends this College campus, there was an enthusiastic donor who made it possible.” Allan and Kathleen Huckabone drove that enthusiasm by making one of the largest philanthropic gifts in Ottawa Valley history.

The Kathleen and F. Allan Huckabone library is one of the centrepieces of the waterfront campus. The only time the couple visited the library was on the day the community celebrated the grand opening of the campus. That was enough to show them that their gift had made a difference.

The entire college community expresses its sincere sympathy to the Huckabone family at this difficult time and continues to be thankful for the important role Allan and Kathleen Huckabone played in securing a new Algonquin College campus for Pembroke.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

30,000 Trees Planted by Forestry Technician Students

The days were long, the sun was hot, but the satisfaction of a job well done is what inspired 23 Forestry Technician students from Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus to plant 30,000 trees in Algonquin Park and the Nipissing Forest.

In a program that involves hundreds of hours of practical learning experiences in forests and bush lots, this was the ultimate challenge for the students because of how meaningful the project was. Trees are one of natures most renewable resources, but these trees are special. They have been planted in memory of people who recently passed away.

The project was sponsored by the Ontario Woodlot Association, the Canadian Institute of Forestry, Friends of the Petawawa Research Forest, Nipissing Forest Management Inc. and the Algonquin Forestry Authority. The trees included white pine, red pine and white spruce seedlings. As a thank you to the students, a $5,000 donation was made to the College in support of the Forestry Technician program.

Forestry Technician Program Coordinator, Peter Arbour says, “This was such a satisfying experience for the students. Planting trees in an operational context, creating a living memorial and helping the forest for the next 100 years, while raising funds for the College, was a beautiful thing.”.

The Forestry Technician program is the longest standing program offered at the Pembroke Campus. It was established shortly after the campus began operations in the late 1960’s and has produced hundreds of graduates who have supported the labour market needs of one of Canada’s most important industries. Technicians trained by Algonquin College can be found in forest operations across the country and throughout the Ottawa Valley which is well known for its forestry roots.

About twenty years ago, the program format was modified from being a traditional two year diploma program to a compressed diploma program. This transition has allowed students to complete the program in one calendar year. It’s also what made this tree planting project possible, because students are available during the spring and summer months as they are finishing up their final semester before graduating in late August.

The program continues to be very popular, attracting more applicants than the number of seats available. In recent years, the Pembroke Campus also introduced an Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program and it has also been well received. Both programs have waitlists for the Fall 2021 intake which is good news for an industry that has experienced some labour market shortages in recent years.

Both the Forestry Technician and the Arborist programs attract students from across Ontario and Quebec, and in some cases other parts of Canada. Forestry is an industry that has been around for hundreds of years, and it will continue with Algonquin College well established as one of the leading forestry education post-secondary schools in the country.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

Promoting the Skilled Trades to High School Students During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive to many things in life including education, but in some parts of the province there have been some excellent partnerships between Colleges and District School Boards that have benefitted high school students. Renfrew County is one of those places where there is a significant blue-collar workforce and looming labour market shortages.

The skilled trades have been particularly hard hit. An aging workforce, a housing construction boom and a stubborn pandemic have created the perfect storm, but these workforce gaps have also created some urgency for Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus and the Renfrew County Public and Catholic District School Boards to create more opportunities for students interested in skilled trades careers.

While most Ontario high school students are studying from home, a small group of high school seniors are swinging hammers and making precision cuts as they complete level one of the General Carpenter apprenticeship program at the Pembroke Campus. With the support of the Renfrew County District Health Unit, the two school boards and the College, 18 students are enrolled in the program, nine from each board. It’s part of a School-College-Work-Initiative that helps high school students get a taste of college before they graduate from secondary school.

“It’s been quite extraordinary to watch how this partnership has evolved through the pandemic and the sheer determination by all parties to make this work for students,” says Tracy Norris, Acting Manager of Academic Partnerships at Algonquin College.

While Renfrew County has had its share of positive COVID-19 cases, the population base is much smaller and throughout the pandemic there have been fewer regulatory restrictions imposed on the area. The College has continued to deliver a variety of shop classes and labs in a modified format that includes smaller class sizes, work space protective barriers, physical distancing and mask wearing.

(OYAP Carpenter students with the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board pose for a photo wearing masks and socially distancing from one another. Only nine students are allowed in the shop at one time)

The program began in mid-April and will continue until the end of June. Students have been supplied with books, tools and safety equipment relevant to the trade to support their learning. By splitting the students into two smaller groups, it has ensured the college’s adherence to provincial COVID-19 regulations for delivering trades programs. It has also helped with providing strong program oversight and the coordination of transportation for students to and from school daily.

The program schedule has required students to be flexible. While most classes such as understanding building codes, estimating project costs and using power tools safety are being delivered during the daytime, welding classes are offered in the early evening. The students and their families haven’t questioned the schedule, but they have expressed a lot of gratitude that the program is being offered.

“This has been a great opportunity for the students. There is always a lot of interest in the skilled trades in our area and the students were genuinely excited to be part of the program,” says Tina Noel, OYAP Coordinator for the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board.

With only a small number of spaces available to students, it was difficult to decide what students would be admitted into the program. It didn’t take long to fill the seats, and those seats were well spaced out. Individual work stations were set up and furniture was adjusted to ensure physical distancing both in the classroom and in the shop.

“The attention to detail to ensure the students could safely and collaboratively hone their carpentry skills, while also experiencing college, has been great,” says Alex Harris, OYAP Coordinator for the Renfrew County District School Board.

During the pandemic, representatives of the school boards and the Pembroke Campus have been meeting weekly. The sole objective of the meetings is to find other pathway program opportunities to keep high school students engaged at a time when many of their other classes are being delivered virtually. The regular communication has produced excellent results.

In addition to the Apprenticeship delivery, more than 100 other high school students in Renfrew County have participated in a dual credit course offered during the 2021-2022 academic semester at the Pembroke Campus. These offerings included courses in Communications, Psychology and Foreign Landscapes. An “introduction to the skilled trades” summer course, planned for this July, will be targeted at groups that are not fully represented in the construction sector, particularly young women and Indigenous youth.

This grassroots effort to introduce more young people to the abundance of career opportunities available in the skilled trades is a great example of how the School-College-Work Initiative is making a difference, one student at a time.

Confirming Your Offer of Admission-A Good Decision!

Another deadline is fast approaching for Algonquin College applicants. On May 1st applicants will need to decide if they will choose to accept their offer of admission for the Fall term which begins in September.

So why wouldn’t an applicant move forward with their plans to attend college? There’s a lot to unpack when answering that question, so let’s turn it around and focus on why most applicants do follow through on one of the most important decisions of their life. The primary answer is because they want a career and attending post-secondary education is the first step in earning a credential that opens doors.

Those doors are expected to open widely in many sectors as the world emerges from a prolonged shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Take the hospitality and tourism industries, two sectors that have been particularly hard hit because of the forced closure of restaurants, ski hills and other tourism attractions for extended periods of time.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As a mass vaccination program rolls across the country, albeit not soon enough for most Canadians, there are predictions from several economists of a robust economic recovery in many sectors. Canadians have been saving money and with borders closed and many of their favourite destinations off limits, that pent up energy and spending power bodes well for the economy.

A student enrolling in the Outdoor Adventure program this fall will graduate in the spring of 2023. Hopefully by that time, adventure tourism will again be thriving and the demand for graduates of the program will have returned to pre-pandemic levels. The Ontario government is banking on it, already announcing millions of dollars in investments to keep small businesses and tourism outlets operating until people are free to move around again.

Julien Lafreniere, Outdoor Adventure Grad, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Enrolments for post-secondary training have remained strong through the pandemic. College students have not put their plans on hold. They have adapted well to the change in the way their courses have been delivered, whether that has meant virtual classrooms and labs, or in person activities where physical distancing can be achieved and mask wearing is required, unless you’re hanging out in a tree. That’s been the case for Urban Forestry-Arboriculture students who have honed their skills as tree climbers with regular field trips, despite the pandemic.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

In some programs, students have experienced being on the front line of the pandemic. Nursing and Personal Support Worker students have been in high demand and have voluntarily supported the most vulnerable patients in long-term care centres, while also assisting with vaccination clinics. With an aging population and the pandemic exposing the strain that the health care sector has been under, health care jobs will continue to be plentiful.

So while some students will opt not to confirm their offer of admission, most will follow through with their original intentions when they applied to college. It will be a wise choice, because the need for highly skilled workers has become even more important as we adjust to whatever changes are in store for us in a post-pandemic world.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

Josh Sleep: Securing the Career I Always Wanted

Making a career change is never an easy decision. Josh Sleep knew he needed to explore an educational plan that would give him the best option to secure an in-demand full-time career, not just another job. He found what he was looking for with our Computer Systems Technician (CST) program.

Sleep’s initial interest in the program grew through conversations with graduates from the program within the community. “They all mentioned the co-op opportunities and excellent job placement rates after graduation. As a mature student, this greatly appealed to me, as well as the shorter program length of 16 months. This is what originally sold me on the program, but there were many other benefits that I only learned about after enrolling. First off, the size of the Pembroke Campus is much smaller than a larger campus. In some ways, this may be seen as a negative thing, but I saw it as positive. The smaller size of the program in Pembroke means a smaller class size. It was nice to not only know the names of every one of my classmates but it also helped develop a rapport with them, as we knew we were all in this together. The small class size also allowed the teachers to develop personal connections with each student. They did not have three other sets of classes to think about; they were only concerned with the 25 people in our class.”

Sleep also quickly learned that because of the small program size, everyone had their own dedicated equipment to work within the lab. “We were each assigned a workstation with a normal computer and a server which is considered a super-powerful computer. This equipment sat at our desk, and we were the only ones allowed to use it. This encouraged a real sense of ownership with the assignments we were working on.”

“While many of the classes in the CST program focus on building technical knowledge, there are also some classes specifically concerned with job acquisition skills. The program covers all the bases from resume/portfolio building to job interview preparation, to what to look for in prospective employers. Even as a mature student who has had many jobs in the past, there was quite a lot of helpful information provided during the program. At the end of the courses, each student had created a portfolio for themselves. These portfolios contained several documents designed to get us thinking critically about our prospective careers. We wrote resumes, reviewed them with classmates, and rewrote them until they were the best that they could be. We did skill and personality assessments to help us discover ways of leveraging our best skills and traits in future interviews, or which sector of the IT job market would be a good fit. We even completed mock interviews with faculty members who were not our teachers. This was all extremely beneficial as these learning exercises were preparing us for the co-op application and interview process” shares Sleep.

It didn’t immediately occur to Sleep that there was an added benefit to his professors and the role that they played in his career preparation. “It really clicked closer to graduation that most of our instructors were also professionals currently working in the industry. This gave me a lot of confidence that the skills we developed in the CST program were practical, up to date, and in-demand within the job market. As supervisors and company owners, our professors were able to make sure we had the skills that they looked for when hiring for their own businesses.”

Sleep’s co-op preparation paid off when he secured a desk-side support role with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) during his paid summer co-op semester. The first day of a new job is nerve-wracking for anyone but Sleep learned very quickly that his team was there to support him. “The team I joined was very welcoming and helpful. They showed me the ropes and introduced me to the systems we would use to complete the required work. Everyone was very friendly, and let me know that they were there to support me with anything I needed.”

Sleep was placed on a team to support client offices that weren’t necessarily CRA operations. His team would support buildings from the Cornwall, Ontario border crossing to the international airport in Iqaluit, Nunavut. This gave him a really unique look at how other government agencies work to protect our country, and made Sleep proud to be able to contribute to the effort. This was also a great way to see the extremely varied positions available within the Canada Revenue Agency.

Sleep not only had the support of his CRA team members, but he also had the continued support of the College. “The co-op support officer from the Pembroke Campus worked hard to ensure that all of the co-op students were enjoying their experience. She would check-in and make sure I was comfortable with the work, and meet with my team lead to ensure I was adequately representing the school. It was a really motivating feeling to know that she could address any concerns that may have come up,” during his co-op experience.

“As a mature student, my career goal going into the CST program was simple: Get one. The program definitely helped a lot with that. Through the co-op and the training provided in the program, I am now at a place where not only do I have a career, but one where I have room to grow in any direction I choose.” By having the opportunity to explore and discuss exactly what he wanted out of his IT career during the program, Sleep felt confident transitioning into his employment. “The instructors exposed us to many different aspects of the IT industry and allowed us to see all the places we could go. The co-op aspect of the program was an excellent foot-in-the-door, and the in-demand skills that we were taught have helped me reach a point where I am able to think about career goals.”

It’s true that sometimes as a student you consider if what you are learning in class is applicable in the “real-world” but it was obvious to Sleep that the skills he acquired would come in handy in his day-to-day work at the Information Technology Branch (ITB) of CRA. “The hardware-specific classes in the first semester were invaluable for my desk-side support position. While it is true that most IT work today is simply replacing parts rather than repairing them, those classes gave me the troubleshooting skills to narrow down which part is causing the problem. Being able to replace a defective part of a computer rather than the computer itself is not only financially responsible but also ecologically responsible. These are two aspects that are very important to the CRA. The network services class gave me some skills I use every day in my current position including directory management and basic networking theory, but it’s the Linux class that has proven to be the most useful as this is something I did not have much exposure to outside of the program, and now it is most of what I do for work.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the lives of most Canadians were turned upside down. Similar to most, Sleep started to work from home. His team continued to work to ensure Canadians could access important applications including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). “The team I work with maintains the integrity of many government services offered online. Specifically, we ensure communication between the various services and that the application process goes smoothly. We ensure that the applications such as My Account, My Business Account, and CERB have the ability to talk to our backend data stores. This allows the application to confirm your identity and passes you through to the appropriate service within the government network.”

Similar to the CST graduates that Sleep spoke to while considering taking the program, he likes to share two pieces of advice that have stuck with him. Both were offered by his professors who passed them along at the beginning of the first semester. They said “This industry requires you to be learning constantly. Even after graduation, you need a continued interest in technology in general or the specialization that you are looking to work into progress in your career. It is an old joke that as soon as you buy a new computer, it is out of date. That same premise applies to IT knowledge. New developments in both hardware and software occur every day. If you are not always adding to your knowledge and skills, you will be quickly left behind. The instructors really encouraged us to follow this advice by allowing each student to pick the topic for various projects. The second piece of advice was about the importance of soft skills. The IT industry has a stereotypical character of the lone hacker in a basement. People with lots of technical skills, but no social skills. Sometimes technical skill is all you need, but for the vast majority of IT jobs, you will need to work on a team, and for a client. Taking care to interact with people in a friendly, professional, and productive manner could mean the difference between getting a managerial role or staying at an entry-level position.”

The Information Technology Branch of CRA is looking to hire 500 students this year, making now the perfect time to apply to the Computer Systems Technician program and become the ideal candidate for a client service role with ITB/CRA (Source: HR Services, Information Technology Branch, Canada Revenue Agency).

-Josh Sleep, 2017 Computer Systems Technician Graduate

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus Embraces Indigenous Teachings

Five years ago, Algonquin College made history when it appointed an Executive Director of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization. The position that Ron McLester accepted was the first such role in Canada’s post-secondary system. Since then it has evolved into a Vice-President’s role as the College embraces the calls to action that were made in Justice Murray Sinclair’s ground-breaking Truth and Reconciliation report in 2015.

The report was a watershed moment for Canadians. It shone a light on the injustices done to the Indigenous peoples of Canada, including the use of residential schools, which many have termed cultural genocide. Since the report was released, many businesses and organizations have responded positively and are making an effort to integrate Indigenous teachings into their day-to-day operations, including post-secondary schools.

At Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, a short drive from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, several initiatives are underway. These include the introduction of a Kampus Kokum and Elder-in-Residence to support Indigenous students studying at the campus.

A Kokum is an Algonquin Anishinabe word for Grandmother and Annie Parker of The Circle of Turtle Lodge fits the role well. Her gentle and welcoming personality has been well received by students and staff as she provides cultural and traditional insight, support and guidance to Indigenous students.

The addition of a Kampus Kokum and Elder-in-Residence, Aimee Bailey, also of The Circle of Turtle Lodge, was made possible through a special project known as Mamiwi Maadaadizi, or “Start of an Algonquin Journey.” Mamiwi Maadaadizi is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund grant. The project has several tentacles that reach into many areas of the campus.

For example, several employees and students have participated in Talking Circles and presentations to better understand Indigenous history and philosophy that predate the formation of Canada. These activities have included the Kairos Blanket Exercise, which visually explains how Indigenous peoples lost their land rights because of settler encroachment.

The trauma caused by the forced separation of children during what became known as the Sixties Scoop, when thousands of Indigenous children were placed in foster care or adoption services, and the impact of residential schools, has also been explored. More recently, employees have had the opportunity to learn about Medicine Wheels, the moon’s cycle from an Indigenous perspective and a private screening of the documentary “Colonization Road”, a provocative film that explores the impact of colonization on Canada.

Colonization Road, directed by Michelle St. John and narrated by comedian and activist Ryan McMahon, is a discovery of how the building of roads by European and American settlers negatively affected Indigenous communities, often leaving them isolated. The title for the film is a metaphor for what followed, the dismantling of their land and culture, the effect of which is still being felt decades later.

Sharing these stories are powerful teaching moments. The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan have an informative mobile display that is loaned to schools throughout the Ottawa Valley, including the Pembroke Campus, where it has been showcased for several years. The wooden display panels catalogue local and national Indigenous history, including the oppressive Indian Act of 1876, residential schools, voting rights and the founding of Indian Reserve Number 39, what is now the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.

There is still much work to do but the Indigenization journey has begun at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, a post-secondary school that stands on the shores of the Kitchissippi River (Ottawa River) on unceded traditional Algonquin territory. The river holds so much history and a few years ago it was recognized for its cultural value as it was designated as one of our country’s heritage rivers. A special plaque, written in the Algonquin language, acknowledges what the Algonquins call, “The Great River.”

The river is the perfect backdrop for Indigenous teachings, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, very few students are on campus. Most are studying remotely. The Indigenous Drums that are frequently used for special ceremonies in the Campus Commons are quiet, but when the day comes that students can return to the campus, the drums will be awakened as Algonquin College’s Indigenization journey continues.

Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

Incredible Winter Adventures Await in Ottawa Valley

Now is the time to embrace winter! Our Winterfest celebration is an opportunity to make a conscious effort to explore the Ottawa Valley. The Ottawa Valley is Ontario’s adventure playground, a year-round adventure destination but winter turns it into a fairy-tale destination that no one wants to miss. As the snow blankets the region, adventurers and nature lovers in the Ottawa valley head outside to indulge in various adventure activities as the magic unfolds. Here are some of the experiences you can do to quench your thirst for adventure this winter season.

Snowmobiling in the Depths of Winter: Winter in the Ottawa Valley means lots of snow and crisp temperatures – perfect snowmobiling weather for sledding enthusiasts. Over 2,550 km of groomed Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) trails and local trails that wind through picturesque villages, along abandoned rail beds, past old mine sites and ghost towns provide ample memorable places to ride.
Gliding on the Snow Carpet: The serene environment ranging from tree-lined slopes, challenging vertical drops to gentle runs make it an ideal alpine skiing and snowboarding destination. Many true snow bunnies dream all year long with huge anticipation to glide through untouched powder on the slopes.

The options include Mount Pakenham, Calabogie Peak Resort, Mount Martin, Mount Molson etc. Mount Pakenham, located in Mississippi Mills, is Eastern Ontario’s premier family ski, snowboard and tubing location which is ideal for every enthusiast. At a height of 730 ft with a 280 ft vertical drop, this mountain offers 10 trails, plus glade trails, and 7 lifts to get you moving.

Calabogie Peaks, the tallest public ski resort in Ontario, is an all-seasons resort located at the base of Dickson Mountain on the shores of Calabogie Lake. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, one can also stay and enjoy the best of what winter offers with many snowy adventures.

The Mount Martin Ski Club (MMSC) maintains 12 runs including a glade run and 2 terrain parks (with jumps, rails and boxes), and is served by a T-bar, right in the Town of Deep River. Most trails are groomed, and all runs are patrolled by volunteers from the Canadian Ski Patrol.

Located in the heart of Petawawa, the Petawawa Ski Club operates on the world’s smallest ski hill, known by the locals as Mount Molson which offers lessons for skiing and snowboarding.
Skiing Cross Country Trails: The Valley presents an outstanding array of Nordic trails for winter sport enthusiasts. Here there are a variety of excellent and scenic cross-country trails winding through meadows and forests for various skill levels such as Silver Spoon Trails, Madawaska Nordic Trails, Opeongo Hills Nordic and Forest Lea Trails – with 1.5 km of lighted ski trails for night skiing.
Snowshoeing the Beautiful Backcountry: There isn’t any other better way to learn and be a part of our wonderful Canadian winters than simply getting out there and experiencing it first-hand. The Ottawa Valley is home to some terrific and pristine wilderness just waiting to be explored. All you need is a pair of snowshoes and you can explore hundreds of kilometres of amazing trails and wilderness routes. Moreover, there are numerous naturalist and interpretive trails such as Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Center, Kiwanis Walk Way and Petawawa Millennium Trail where you could learn more about the rich history and heritage of the place.
Ice Fishing – Winter Pastime for Everyone: Cradled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park, the Ottawa Valley is home to over 900 lakes and 4 major river systems. There are ample opportunities for anglers to get out on the frozen lake or river to net a trophy fish. The Valley boasts 158,000 acres of water filled with more than 20 species of fish such as bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge etc. Premier destinations include the heritage Ottawa River, Lake Dore, Golden Lake etc. Be sure to check out the Laurentian Valley Ice Fishing Derby on February 27 – learn more.
Source: Inside Ottawa Valley

Sharpen your Skates and Feel the Rush: What better way to celebrate winter than hitting the ice with friends and family? Explore and enjoy the cool, crisp air by slapping on a pair of skates and gliding the day away on one of our well-maintained municipal rinks and skating trails. The skating season is generally open from December through to March. There are a variety of options for the skaters ranging from indoor rinks to outdoor rinks and skating trails such as Laurentian Valley Skating Trail, Ma-Te-Way Park Trail and Deep River Skate Trail.
Enchanting Star Gazing at Westmeath Lookout: One of the best ways to find solace from the hustles of life and being in the moment in the chill of the winter is stargazing. Generally, due to so much light pollution in the cities, the view of the stars and constellations is not clear. However, on a clear night and away from the blinding lights, just 20 minutes drive from the city of Pembroke, one can escape to the countryside in the Whitewater Region of Ottawa Valley and enjoy the spectacular view of the stars at Westmeath Lookout.
Pembroke Heritage Murals Walk: Take a winter walk and stroll through Pembroke’s downtown to see Canada’s largest outdoor gallery featuring more than 30 large-scale murals depicting the history, settlement and heritage of the Ottawa Valley. These Murals are an illustrated record of Pembroke’s ever-changing history. Come and witness the story of the Pembroke area in Ottawa Valley.