C’est Bon Ottawa establishes new financial aid in memory of Joshua Qiyuk to support Indigenous learners at Algonquin College
Posted on Monday, March 9th, 2026
Joshua Qiyuk, Algonquin College culinary student.
Algonquin College has partnered with C’est Bon Ottawa, a local cooking school, to create two new funds in memory of Joshua Qiyuk. Established by C’est Bon, these new funds, called the Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Scholarship and the Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Bursary, will support Indigenous learners in a variety of Culinary Arts programs.
Qiyuk was a young Inuk man from Baker Lake, Nunavut, who moved to Ottawa at a young age. At 17, he attended a cooking program at C’est Bon arranged by the Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families. He was a dedicated student of the craft, always showing up early, always the last to leave. Chef Georges Laurier, C’est Bon co-owner and one of Qiyuk’s mentors, hired him to work at C’est Bon as a kitchen assistant at the end of the program. Eventually, chef Georges advised Qiyuk to go to Algonquin College as he showed much promise and interest in the culinary arts.
Qiyuk followed this advice, completed the Indigenous Cook Pre-Apprenticeship program, and started a promising cooking career at Absinthe. However, in October 2025, Qiyuk became the victim of a violent attack, and his life was tragically ended.
Devastated to learn about Qiyuk’s passing, C’est Bon’s owners participated in a community effort to support his family led by Inuk chef Trudy Metcalfe-Coe, another of Qiyuk’s mentors. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Then, in late 2025, C’est Bon contacted Algonquin College to explore ways to honour Qiyuk’s legacy. They wanted to donate to the College and help Indigenous learners who, like Qiyuk, dream of becoming chefs and leading successful careers in the culinary field. These conversations led to the creation of the scholarship and bursary in memory of Qiyuk.
“Josh left such a strong impression on everyone he came in contact with,” said Stefanie Siska, president and co-owner of C’est Bon. “He was as hardworking as he was kind and pleasant to work with. Mentors, colleagues, friends—we were all touched by how he approached his craft with consistent focus, gratitude, and a strong commitment to growth. He grounded his career in integrity and quiet determination. By establishing a scholarship and bursary in Josh’s memory, we hope the light of his life can keep inspiring and uplifting Indigenous people advancing their culinary careers.”
The Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Scholarship is a merit-based fund. It will be awarded annually to an Inuit, First Nations, or Métis full-time student in level 3 or higher of their academic program. Eligible programs include Culinary Management and Baking and Pastry Arts Management, both of which are two-year Ontario college diploma programs.
The Joshua Qiyuk Memorial Bursary is a financial need-based fund. It is also an annual award meant for Inuit, First Nations, and Métis students. Eligible programs include the two diploma programs mentioned above as well as three programs of shorter duration: the Culinary Skills certificate, the Baking and Pastry Arts certificate, and the Culinary Skills – Cook II apprenticeship. Indigenous students may apply for this bursary online.
Anita Tenasco, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at Algonquin College, has expressed her gratitude to C’est Bon. “The connection between Algonquin College and Indigenous communities is the very essence of who we are as an institution,” she said. “When community partners support our Indigenous learners, the effects are felt here and in Indigenous communities near and far. I am moved that C’est Bon has chosen to transform profound loss into a positive force for Indigenous people. It’s a wonderful way to honour Josh’s memory and bring about transformative change. Mìgwech, thank you, C’est Bon.”
Current and future Indigenous students at Algonquin College are encouraged to visit Support for Indigenous Students to learn more about available support opportunities.
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Media Contact
Meg Fraser
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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 close to 200 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke, with fully online programming delivered through AC Online.
About C’est Bon Ottawa
C’est Bon Ottawa has been operating as a cooking school since 2009. The mission of C’est Bon is to help people learn the secrets of the culinary arts and discover the richness of the National Capital Region’s terroir through its food, food producers, artisans and partners, all in a pleasant and memorable ambiance that only C’est Bon can offer. Further information is available at cestbonottawa.ca.
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