Posted on Thursday, September 5th, 2024
Why was the Land Acknowledgement updated?
Anishinábe Aki means the land of the Anishinàbe Algonquin people. Algonquin College has recently worked with members of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Pikwakanagan communities to expand its relationship. This includes regular meetings, knowledge sharing and flying the flag of the Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation on its three campuses. This also includes collaborating to co-develop and update the Algonquin College land acknowledgement statement.
What was the process to consider the various language components?
The goal of updating the land acknowledgement was to acknowledge the past and promote awareness, education and healing to move forward together with respect and mutual learning. Attention is also given to place a focus on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Read more >
Posted on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024
Sept. 4, 2024, Ottawa, ON – Algonquin College has welcomed back more than just its students this fall. The Kwey Indigenous Video
Language Series has returned with new video content, reaffirming the college’s commitment to embracing the traditional Anishinàbe Algonquin language on campus.
The video series is called Kwey, an Algonquin greeting that means hello. Launched in June 2024, the videos expanded on the College’s commitment to language revitalization to enhance and increase hearing and speaking the Anishinábe Algonquin language.
The newest collection continues this promise with topics including greetings and salutations and cultural information around smudging, community circles and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which are Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation principles to live by. Read more >
Posted on Thursday, August 1st, 2024
Four Algonquin College students recently returned to Ottawa from studying in Wollongong, Australia, for two and a half weeks after participating in a for-credit study abroad experience at the University of Wollongong.
Students embarked on the transformative two-week study tour in Wollongong, where they were exposed to an immersive exploration into the rich tapestry of Indigenous Australia. Highlights included a visit to the Daintree Rainforest, where they participated in a “Welcome to Country” and “Dreamtime Walk,” as well as Stories with Elders and Rangers, a whale watching cruise with First Nations experts, a guest lecture on Indigenous whale stories and a guest lecture with Indigenous artist Josie Atkinson-Flanders about using art for sharing stories and activism. Read more >
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.
Read more >
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 Thursday, May 9th, 2024
A small group took to the campus on Thursday to hang red dresses in prominent locations to raise awareness and advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) in Canada.
Red dresses were hung in and around E Building, as well as on surrounding nearby trees and nearby structures at the Ottawa Campus. 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 >