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First Nations Resources at the AC Library

The Algonquin College Library offers a wide range of resources to support learning about First Nations peoples in Canada. Throughimage of a stack of First Nations books resources. the Indigenous Studies Subject Guide, students can access books, videos, scholarly articles and community resources that explore Indigenous histories, cultures, knowledge systems and contemporary issues.

The guide features materials on topics such as Indigenous education, health and wellness, governance, language revitalization, environmental stewardship and reconciliation. Continue reading →

Algonquin College Marks National Indigenous History Month

Algonquin College is marking National Indigenous History Month with a rich lineup of events, conversations, and learningOverview of NIPM 2026 with QR code opportunities across the month of June. From lectures and hands‑on workshops to community gatherings and storytelling, the campus will be alive with activities that honour Indigenous knowledge, culture, and leadership.

Additional activities will roll out across the month, including the Kwey Series launch, features on Indigenous spaces, student profiles, library resources, and visits from an Inuit Elder.

If you or your department are hosting an event for Indigenous Peoples Month, you can add it to this list so the College can help amplify it. Your contributions make this month stronger, more connected, and more meaningful for everyone.

June 1 – Kick off of National Indigenous Peoples Month – Lecture with Frank Horn. Frank Horn is a Mohawk. He became a teacher in the 1960’s and worked as an iron worker during the summer. During his career he has worked as a social worker and is now a practicing lawyer. He is the father of the Mamidoswein Centre’s Student Support Office, Wendiiosta Horn.

Location: Kejeyàdizidjigwogamig, “Knowledge Keeper’s Place.” Ottawa Campus Library
Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Other: The event will also serve as the launch of the Nìgàn Initiative
RSVP for this event

June 2 – Pikwakanagan Volunteer Day with Nìgàn partners and college employees

Location: Makwa Community Centre – 83 Kagagimin Inamo, Golden Lake, ON K0J 2A0
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

 

June 2 | 10:00–11:30 AM (Virtual)

PD Session (ENL1004 – Session 3: Interdisciplinary Teaching)

(Facilitated by Carolyn Côté, Will Hennessy, and Robin Potts – LTS Team)

This session is part of a 3-part PD series supporting faculty in familiarizing themselves with the new course ENL1004. For Session 3, the LTS team will be facilitating a learning session focused on interdisciplinary teaching, which will include integrating “Mapping Good Teaching with Indigenous Learning Practices.”

June 3 – Truth and Reconciliation: Continuing the Conversation with Dr. Bruce McIvor (virtual)

In recognition of Algonquin College’s 10-year response report to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, faculty and staff are invited to join Métis lawyer, author and educator Dr. Bruce McIvor for a virtual conversation on reconciliation, Indigenous rights, and meaningful change in education.

Together, we will explore:

  • What does meaningful reconciliation look like today?
  • How do we move beyond symbolic gestures?
  • What does accountability look like moving forward?

The session will include opening reflections, a moderated conversation, and participant Q&A.

Who should attend:
Faculty, staff, educators, academic leaders, curriculum developers and anyone interested in ongoing conversations around Truth and Reconciliation in education.
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST
Register for this event

Wednesday, June 10 – Strawberry Juice making workshop – The Mamidosewin Centre

Week of June 15 | (TEACHful Podcast Recording) – Indigenous focus

LTS offering a TEACHful podcast episode with invited guests Dwight Powless and Dr. Linda Manning, with the goal of releasing it hopefully in June to align with National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21). This episode will focus on themes of relationships, responsibility, and Indigenous approaches to teaching and learning. We will also be sharing updates on MYAC leading up to the podcast to build awareness and engagement.

June 19 – National Indigenous Peoples Day Event – Workshop and Gathering Medicine Pouch Making w/ Marc Forgette Makatew Workshops

Location: Nawapon
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Other: Registration required? Yes

World Water Day

Nibi bimàdiziwin – Water is life. Water is a living thing.

World Water Day, held every year on March 22, is a United Nations observance that highlights the global water crisis and the need to manage freshwater responsibly.

Since 1993, it has drawn attention to the 2.2 billion people who still lack safe water and supports the goal of achieving clean water and sanitation for everyone by 2030.

The theme for 2026 is “Water and Gender,” with the message “Where water flows, equality grows,” focusing on the role of women and girls in shaping water solutions.

 

Mamidosewin Centre marks Powley Day

To observe the importance of Powley Day, the Mamidosewin Centre hosted a screening from the Métis Nation of Ontario with a powerful film documenting this powerful story.

The landmark legal case recognized and affirmed that Métis people and communities lived on the land before the country was officially recognized as Canada and that their rights were to be entrenched within Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution.

The significance of the case cannot be understated. Because of this decision, the Métis in Canada are recognized as a distinct Indigenous people within Canada. In this case in 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled unanimously in favour of Métis people and members of a Métis community.

About the case

(Reprinted from the Métis Nation of Ontario website)

In Powley, the courts recognized and affirmed what the MNO had been saying all along–-that there were distinct Métis people and communities on the land before Canada became Canada, before Ontario became Ontario, with a culture and identity all their own, and that their rights were entrenched within Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution. While other Métis rights cases had been fought in the courts before, Powley was the first to be appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court. It was led by the MNO, the Powley family and the Métis community around Sault Ste. Marie, but all Métis communities across Canada have greatly benefited from it.

The victory in Powley set the stage for a series of achievements for Métis people, not just in Ontario but across the Métis Nation Homeland, including the ground-breaking Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements signed in June 2019 by the MNO, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Introducing Kwey The Indigenous Language Project

As part of Algonquin College’s commitment to introducing and embracing the traditional Anishinàbe (ahnishinAHHbay) Algonquin NationTitle card in Algonquin green to introduce Indigenous language series called Kwey 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. Continue reading →

How to Be a Force for Change with Jody Wilson-Raybould

A welcome crowd and beautiful backdrop of the shore of the Ottawa RiverDean Sarah Hall, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Claude Brule and Jamie Bramburger stand together at the Pembroke Campus 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. Continue reading →

Learn about colonization with interactive Indigenous timeline

Kerry Potts wants people to learn about colonization. Formerly a professor atLogo for colonization road indigenous interactive timeline Humber College, Potts began co-creating an interactive timeline in 2022 to help fellow teachers share the ongoing history of colonialism in Ontario, Indigenous resistance efforts and other topics relating to governance and Indigenous knowledge.

Upon moving back to Ottawa and beginning her work as a professor and Indigenous Pedagogy and Curriculum Consultant at Algonquin College, Potts continued working on this project with a small team that included professors from Humber, filmmaker Michelle St. John and Indigenous designer Katie Wilhelm. The team created an interactive and comprehensive tool to complement courses and programs taught at Ontario post-secondary institutions Colonization Road Ontario: A Timeline is now available for free to educators in Ontario. Continue reading →

Algonquin College marks National Indigenous Peoples Day

With summer strawberries, bannock treats and Indigenous coffee inAlgonquin College Board of Governors member Audrey Lawrence facilitates a discussion asking participants abundance, employees came together to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day through learning, conversation and knowledge sharing.

Algonquin College President and CEO, Claude Brulé, welcomed everyone to Algonquin College’s Indigenous Learning Commons (Nawapon) to celebrate the day. Continue reading →

National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Pembroke Campus

The Pembroke Campus celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day with adrummers sit in a circle at Pembroke campus marking National Indigenous People's Day special ceremony on June 21. The ceremony included Indigenous teachings about the importance of feasting a drum by an Elder who spoke about need for the “drum to never eat alone,” and the importance of the drum in Indigenous culture. The feast includes wild rice and fresh berries that were shared with College employees who attended the special ceremony.

The ceremony was also built into a full day of activities held by the city of Pembroke at its waterfront park, next door to the Pembroke Campus. Employees were able to participate in the ceremony through dancing as the drummers played special songs including a “food song” as part of the drum feast. The employees also brought gifts for the drums, items that could be given to people in need in our community such as colouring books for children.