Algonquin College welcomes CAE as newest Nìgàn partner to advance student access and community engagement

Posted on Monday, June 22nd, 2026

Ottawa, ON (Monday, June 22, 2026) – This National Indigenous History Month, Algonquin College is proud to announce that CAE is the newest partner of the recently rebranded Nìgàn initiative (formerly known as DARE6). Through this collaboration, CAE will financially support student success, strengthen community partnerships, and contribute to ongoing efforts toward Truth and Reconciliation in our region and beyond.

First established in 2020 as DARE6, Nìgàn is a collaboration that brings together Algonquin College and community partners to build meaningful relationships grounded in learning, respect, and shared responsibility. Partners are invited to become part of the college community and experience relationship building, working in circle, and learning about Indigenization and reconciliation. Nìgàn also facilitates experiences that can help partners shape or create change within their own organizations.

CAE’s partnership will support the revitalization of First Nations, Métis and Inuit languages, land-based learning opportunities for students, cultural programming, Elder and Knowledge Keeper engagements, a food security initiative, and services through the Mamidosewin Centre, which is dedicated to supporting Indigenous students and enhancing the overall student experience at Algonquin College. These efforts contribute to reducing barriers to education and expanding opportunities for student success.

“Partnering with Algonquin College through Nìgàn allows us to support Indigenous student success while also learning directly from Indigenous communities,” said Constance Drilhon, Senior Director, Sustainable Development and Climate Change at CAE. “CAE is proud to partner with Algonquin College through the Nìgàn initiative to support Indigenous students pursuing meaningful careers. This partnership reflects our commitment to building enduring, trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities, grounded in listening and learning. It also aligns with CAE’s deliberate approach to strengthening talent pipelines across our industries by making it more inclusive. Through collaborations like this, we aim to support reconciliation while contributing to a more resilient workforce.”

Anita Tenasco, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at Algonquin College, sees this as an important moment for Nìgàn. “We have seen this initiative take flight these past six years,” she said. “Through Nìgàn, Algonquin College has collaborated closely with Indigenous organizations and industry partners to promote awareness and healing in our community. CAE’s generosity empowers us to continue this work and reach more people in the future. Mìgwech, thank you to CAE for their partnership.”

Nìgàn is part of Algonquin College’s sustained and growing efforts over the past decade to address the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada from 2015. To learn more about Nìgàn and explore partnership opportunities, visit the Nìgàn website or contact the College’s Advancement department.

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For further information: 

Meg Fraser 
Communications Officer 
Algonquin College 
613-308-0138 
fraserm2@algonquincollege.com 

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 170 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke, with fully online programming delivered through AC Online.

About CAE 

At CAE, we exist to make the world safer. We deliver cutting-edge training, simulation, and critical operations solutions to prepare aviation professionals and defence forces for the moments that matter. Every day, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security personnel to perform at their best and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we’re everywhere customers need us to be with around 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. For nearly 80 years, CAE has been at the forefront of innovation, consistently seeking to set the standard by delivering excellence in high-fidelity flight simulators and training solutions, while embedding sustainability at the heart of everything we do. By harnessing technology and enhancing human performance, we strive to be the trusted partner in advancing safety and mission readiness — today and tomorrow.

Learn more at cae.com.


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