Indigenous Services
Algonquin College is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Nation. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour, and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within.
The goal of the Indigenous Services is to empower and support Indigenous students at Algonquin College into the next phase of their lives (mino-biimaadizwin — “the good way of life”) in a way that is respectful and reflective of Indigenous cultures.
Indigenous learners may identify as any of the following: First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, and/or Métis, as well as those with Indigenous ancestry who are just discovering their heritage and want to learn more. Our services are also open to non-Indigenous learners who are interested in learning more about the culture and participating in events.
Pembroke Campus Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus is located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Peoples, traditionally known as Anishinaabe. The Algonquin Peoples have inhabited and cared for these lands long before today. We take this time to show our gratitude and respect to the Algonquin Peoples, and to the land for all that it provides us: trees to give shade, water and food to sustain us, and paths to connect us.
As a post-secondary institution, we feel the weight of the responsibility to help ensure that the next generations of land stewards are respectful and grateful for the bounty of this land on which we all live, work, play, and study.
We will commit to learning how to be better stewards of this land in service to all the people and animals who walk on it, and who grace the skies and waters. We will commit to engaging with and learning about the history and culture of the Algonquin Peoples. We will foster reconciliation between the College community and the Algonquin Peoples as we forge new paths ahead together, for the mutual benefit of all those who walk on them.
Services and Resources
Elder-in-Residence: Aimee Bailey
What is an elder in residence? Elders are the foundation of Indigenous communities and act as the glue that keeps our people together. They are the keepers of sacred stories, songs, language, culture and traditions. They are your go-to person on campus for all things Indigenous. This position provides a critical role in our continued commitment to support indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and approaches to wellness are honoured in an education setting.
Aimee Bailey is our Elder-in-Residence and Kampus Kokum. She is a Knowledge Keeper from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan* First Nation, the Spokesperson for The Circle of Turtle Lodge, and an Algonquin College graduate. She also has an Honours Degree in the Humanities from York University and a postgraduate Certificate as a Traditional Practitioner from First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI). Being from the Sturgeon Clan, who are the educators in Traditional communities, Aimee would like you to think of her as a Reference Librarian, someone who could help you to find answers to any cultural questions you might have, either from knowledge and experience or by making connections to a wide and varied network of other Indigenous people she knows
Contact: Connect with Aimee
Email: aimee@thecircleofturtlelodge.ca
Campus Drum & Drumkeeper
Working under the guidance of Indigenous Elders, Pembroke Campus students used traditional materials and craftsmanship to make our campus Drum. The Drum represents the circle of life. The Drum is made of wood and hide. These natural materials represent honesty and sharing. The wood comes from the trees and the trees tell us where life comes from. Without the sun and the earth, there would be no trees; there would be no life.
Our campus Grandfather drum is named Mishomis Ashage Dwegan (Grandfather Heron Drum).
Rhonda Mullin, Social Service Worker Coordinator is our Campus Drumkeeper. Her job is to tend to the Drum and make sure that it is never left alone. She also makes sure that nothing is done to disrespect the Drum, keeps it clean and never allows it to touch the ground.
Rhonda can be reached at mullinr@algonquincollege.com.
Medicine Wheel Garden
Located atop a hill at the western tip of the campus priority, the Indigenous Medicine Wheel Garden is a space for reflection, prayer and healing. The garden was dedicated at a special ceremony on June 2, 2023 where college President, Claude Brulé said, “This is a space for everyone. It is grounded in Indigenous culture, but dedicated in the spirit of inclusion.”
Most growing seasons, the garden includes many plants including geraniums, anemones, columbines, bergamot, cornflower, red ozier dogwood, black raspberries and blueberries. The garden includes park benches, a centre piece quartz rock and is located near a newly established arboretum that in the future will provide shade for visitors.
At the dedication ceremony, Social Services Worker student Stephania Smith said, “I believe today signifies the start of a journey towards reconciliation. As students at Algonquin college, we must recognize where supports are needed and advocate for them at the same time. I believe having a space where Indigenous students can connect with each other and navigate their own journeys of discovery at Algonquin College is a step forward. A space to feel welcome, to share stories, to practice culture, to share events with each other and the community. A space where we feel comfort with the scents of our traditional medicines,” added Smith.
Learn more about what a Medicine Wheel is.
Knowledge Sharing
Download the Three Sister Soup recipe
Download the Story of The Three Sisters
Learn more about oral-based knowledge systems which are traditional in many Indigenous cultures. In the podcast episode, Waubgeshig Rice, the bestselling author of ‘Moon of the Crusted Snow’, speaks to the weaving of oral tradition with his writing practice through his ability to tell a story before he ever sets pen to paper.
Guides and Tools
Best Practices: Succeed as you move between different stages of school, work and home!
Going to college or university is about independence. Many young adults may be relocating to a new city. Or, you may be staying at home and attending a post-secondary institution near you. The move from high school to college or university can be overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time. Information provided by the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) Best Practices website will provide you with guidance on how to succeed as you move between different stages of school, work and home!
First Moon, First People Indigenous Culture Celebration
In collaboration with the Circle of Turtle Lodge, each January we have a number of activities and initiatives scheduled to celebrate Indigenous Culture and to explore the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada Calls to Action including New Moon Teachings, Talking Circles, making your own Talking Stick, Algonquin Song lessons and more. Registration links for the activities can be found at the bottom of this page closer to January each year.
Help with transitioning from high school to college
The information provided by the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) will help you to understand some of the strategies that work for this particular transition. Learn more about how you can transition from Secondary to Post-Secondary schooling.
Help with transitioning from remote to urban living
Making the transition from a remote environment to an urban or in the case of the Pembroke Campus, a rural environment, can be challenging. The resources provided by the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) Remote to Urban website offer many helpful resources and videos to support your transition to your new learning and living environment.
Help with transitioning from school to work
The information provided by the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) School to Work Transitions website will help you to understand some of the strategies that work for this particular transition.
Indspire
Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
COVID-19 Information and Resources: List of available resources for students during the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more here.
Bursaries & Scholarships: Indspire provides financial support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada to assist them in completing their post-secondary education.
Rivers to Success: The Rivers to Success program provides a supportive learning environment for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students at key stages of their educational journey, giving them the tools they need to complete their education and successfully pursue the career of their dreams.
Student Success: Ninety percent of students supported through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program graduate. From doctors to lawyers, to pharmacists and engineers, First Nations, Inuit and Métis graduates are finding success in their chosen fields.
Inuit Nunangat Taimannganit – Story Telling Videos
The Inuit Nunangat Taimannganit storytelling project tells the story of Inuit Nunangat (the Inuit homeland in Canada) from time immemorial (taimannganit).
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami – Funding for Post-Secondary Education
Inuit in Canada have access to a new source of funding to pursue post-secondary education. The Inuit Post-Secondary Education Program is new federal funding for Inuit students that replaces the funding available through the federal Post-Secondary Students Support Program (PSSSP). It increases the funding available to Inuit and is universally accessible to Inuit Nunangat land claims beneficiaries, regardless of where in Canada they live. It also includes additional funding for regional organizations to develop programs and services to help students succeed, along with funding for community engagement to increase the number of students who enroll in post-secondary programs.
Local Indigenous Groups
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation: A proud and progressive Algonquin community. Pikwakanagan is situated on the shores of Golden Lake and the Bonnechere River in Renfrew County. Located off of Highway 60, our community is 1½ hours west of Ottawa and 1½ hours east of Algonquin Park. Learn more.
The Circle of Turtle Lodge: The Circle has been reviving, promoting, and restoring Traditional Anishinabe Culture in the Ottawa Valley since 1999. They are an independent not-for-profit organization, and a registered charity, based in Deacon, Ontario, which is at the head of Golden Lake in unceded Algonquin Territory. Learn more.
Renfrew County & District Friendship Centre: Service provider for off-reserve Indigenous people throughout Renfrew County. The Centre provides health care referrals to help connect people to the various programs available to them and has some scholarships and bursaries available too. Learn more.
Medicine Wheel Guide
The Indigenous medicine wheels represent the alignment and continuous interaction of the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual realities. The circle shape represents the interconnectivity of all aspects of one’s being, including the connection with the natural world. Medicine wheels are frequently believed to be the circle of awareness of the individual self; the circle of knowledge that provides the power we each have over our own lives.
Source: What is an Indigenous medicine wheel?
Métis Nation of Ontario
The Métis Nation of Ontario’s (MNO) Healing and Wellness branch facilitates and coordinates programs, services, and activities to address the holistic needs of Métis people in Ontario at the provincial, regional, and local levels. Holistic Indigenous health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and cultural aspects of one’s life.
There is a MNO Healing and Wellness branch at Unit 102, 236 Stewart Street, Renfrew, ON, K7V 1X7, Phone: 613-432-6499.
Truth and Reconciliation in Post-Secondary Settings: Student Experience
In releasing the final findings in 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) made
94 Calls to Action “in order to redress the legacy of residential Schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation”.
Nineteen of these Calls to Action have direct implications for post-secondary settings and those working within these settings.
We Matter – Toolkit for Indigenous Youth
The Indigenous Youth Toolkit is here to help YOU feel better, and to overcome tough times – especially if things are hard.
Use the Toolkit on your own, or together with a friend or family member.
It’s super easy! All you need to do is download a copy of the Toolkit, and watch the videos on the We Matter website.