Posted on Monday, July 15th, 2024
On a bright and hot sunny day along the shores of the Ottawa River, a light breeze unfurled the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan flag after it was raised by Algonquin College President Claude Brulé at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. President Brulé called it a historic day as he spoke to college employees, members of the Pikwakanagan community and special guests who gathered around the flag pole to watch the flag raising.
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Posted on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024
Anita Tenaso, Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO, along with drummer Randy
Kakegamick marked a special morning on campus to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Read more >
Posted on Saturday, June 1st, 2024
As part of Algonquin College’s commitment to introducing and embracing the traditional Anishinàbe (ahnishinAHHbay) Algonquin Nation
language on campus, during the month of June we will share vocabulary, phrases and information to familiarize learners and employees with the traditional language.
Please join Anita Tenasco, Director of Indigenous Initiatives, in using the words and phrases on campus, in classrooms and with colleagues and students. Read more >
Posted on Monday, April 29th, 2024
Indigenous graduates from the Ottawa-area post-secondary institutions, including Algonquin College, were celebrated on Friday April 26
during the 16th annual Indigenous Graduate Honouring Ceremony held at La Cité.
Students from Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cité, the University of Ottawa and various other institutions gathered at Excentricite to celebrate their achievements in a ceremony which included Indigenous guest speakers, ceremonial drumming and musical performances.
Jay Odjick, a writer, artist, and television producer of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg delivered a keynote to inspire the students on their education journey. Odjick is known for his graphic novel and television series Kagagi: The Raven, children’s book Bear for Breakfast (with Robert Munsch). He was Department of English at the University of Ottawa’s first Indigenous writer in residence in Fall 2023. Read more >
Posted on Friday, April 26th, 2024
Algonquin College prides itself on its commitment to Indigenous knowledge and Truth and Reconciliation as part of the institution’s culture.
A key part of that is the Indigenous Education Council (IEC), a group of 12 volunteers who are committed to providing support, developing plans and initiatives and guiding the College towards meeting the needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities on campus.
The IEC is co-chaired by Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé and Dan McFadden, an Indigenous education specialist with the Métis Nation of Ontario. McFadden became co-chair in September 2023. He has been a member of the IEC since 2022.
McFadden, who is from Calgary, sees a range of opportunities for Algonquin College to support Indigenous students: “Most of us who sit at the IEC table have an idea of the barriers students face. We have an opportunity to share our experiences and see how the College can offer support. We are currently working with the Mamidosewin Centre to develop more key dates to recognize, celebrate and reflect the different cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners.” Read more >
Posted on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024
Greetings were given, dignitaries were welcomed, tobacco was offered and with that, four Indigenous street names were publicly celebrated
at Algonquin College’s Ottawa Campus today.
The official ceremony included community elders, local, provincial and federal representatives, College leadership, members of the Board of Governors and Indigenous Education Council and guests from Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi.
President and CEO of Algonquin College, Claude Brulé praised the new signage. “I hope that these street signs extend an additional sense of welcoming and inclusivity for our learners and employees. By embracing and recognizing the Anishinabe language, we look to reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where every member of our community feels acknowledged, appreciated, and respected. It’s a way of allowing learners to see themselves reflected in the very fabric of our institution.” Read more >
Posted on Thursday, March 14th, 2024
The Pembroke Campus celebrated the naming of its Grandfather drum when
Elder Barry Sarazin shared its name is Chijaack (pronounced Chee-Jack), a name that comes from the crane spirit. The drum is named after a Blue Heron.
Elder Sarazin told the audience of students and employees who gathered for the name revealing ceremony that “I had dreamed about a beautiful blue heron that flew down by the corner of the school,” when the name was presented to him by the spirit. Read more >
Posted on Wednesday, March 6th, 2024
A welcome crowd and beautiful backdrop of the shore of the Ottawa River
played host to former Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. Wilson-Raybould spoke to a large group in person and online at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus on Tuesday, March 5 as part of the Algonquin College Speaker Series to mark International Women’s Week.
Wilson-Raybould was speaking about her latest book True Reconciliation. She addressed the roles of women in her culture and in society, about leadership and Truth and Reconciliation and how individuals can make substantive and impactful changes that will yield results. Read more >
Posted on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024
“We are a people with roots as deep and as long as any other Indigenous people
in North America,” said Tony Belcourt as he addressed a small crowd of about 30 participants as part of Monday’s Indigenous Speaker Series.
Belcourt was speaking about “What Makes Métis Identity.” He provided analysis and detail from Métis history dating back to the 1700s and including photos and information later from 1846, the first records of his family’s history. Read more >
Posted on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024
The process of naming the campus drum at the Pembroke Campus has begun.
Now, the campus awaits Elder Barry Sarazin’s return to reveal what the name will be.
Elder Sarazin told the campus community it could be as little as four days or longer, but he promised a “great social celebration when the name is revealed to him.”
The drum has been part of the campus community since 2018 when it was built by students under the direction of knowledge holder Pinock Smith and Elder Skip Ross of the Circle of Turtle Lodge, a project called three drums, three campuses. The drum is kept in the campus library, a place that is active with people throughout the day. Read more >