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How an Indigenous tourism training program allowed Paula Naponse and her family tell their story through coffee beans and beads

Paula Naponse never thought she would own her own store, a lifelong dream she had since she was eight years old.

For a decade, Naponse’s business selling fashion, beadwork and artisanal goods like candles was an ad hoc affair. She had a name, Ondarez — a name inspired by a similar phrase she would see often on Facebook (it was 2008, peak Facebook) posts from her home community: “I’m on the rez.”

But a storefront seemed out of reach. Naponse sold her wares at cultural gatherings and by mail order. But thanks to a tourism training program and a push from her eldest daughter, Naponse’s business expanded to her childhood dream of a storefront and café.

“I have a sign now! I never ever thought that it could happen to me,” Naponse told Canada’s National Observer.

The Beandigen Café, a coffee-pun play on the Anishnaabemowin word biindigen, or welcome, opened in November 2021 and serves as a storefront for Indigenous artisans and a community space for beading circles, Indigenous open mic nights, and NDN taco pop-ups.

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Animals spotted on campus

Those visiting the Four Corners, B, C, or D Buildings may soon discover Bear, Wolf, Blue Jay, Moose or Deer.

The vibrantly coloured murals were installed this week as part of an Indigenous pathways wayfinding project. These are the work of Miskomin Twenish, a local self-taught Algonquin artist from the Kitigan Zibi community, and 2018 Algonquin College graduate.

The murals are part of a larger wayfinding project. Names were provided by the Indigenous Education Council in order of cultural significance and each pathway was assigned a colour for wayfinding and signage accents. Signage has been created by Algonquin’s Marketing team, using inspiration from the current wayfinding system, DARE district aesthetics and existing Indigenous themes on campus.

More information about is available at https://www.algonquincollege.com/tri/indigenous-pathways/

Algonquin College kicks off National Indigenous History Month with garden event

With a good mind and several green thumbs, Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé and Vice President of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization Ron McLester marked the start of National Indigenous History Month with an event this morning in the College’s Three Sisters Garden.

Joined by students from the horticulture program and eager young visitors from the Early Learning Centre, McLester told the story of the Three Sisters; the significance of the crops of corn, bean and squash and how they feed and sustain the community. Students big and small joined in the planting after a ceremonial song, where everyone in attendance participated in the call and response.

The beds in the garden were prepared by the horticulture students, who planted today and will tend to the crops, adding additional plants over the coming weeks. They will weed and maintain the garden until fall when the crops will be harvested.

About the Three Sisters Garden

2019 saw the creation of a Three Sisters Garden of corn, beans and squash. The Sisters symbolize peace, friendship and respect. This traditional Haudenosaunee style community garden project quickly took on a life of its own. 

The Three Sisters Garden is an extension of the large Indigenous garden planted in the DARE District’s Ishkodewan courtyard. That ongoing project will see more than 100 species of flowers, shrubs and trees planted — from black-eyed susan and chokecherry to rosy sedge and yellow wood poppy. All of the plants are native to southern Ontario and many of them have cultural, ceremonial, or even medicinal significance for some Indigenous Peoples.

Algonquin College wins two silver CICan Awards

TRI recognized for outstanding leadership and innovation with national Awards of Excellence

On Tuesday, April 26, Algonquin College was awarded two silver designations at the CICan annual Awards of Excellence.

The Awards showcase the extraordinary contribution of individuals to their college/institute communities and highlight the role of our institutions in social, cultural and economic development. There are three levels of recognition: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The College received a silver award in two categories; the Indigenous Education Excellence Award and the Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award (You can read the award entry covering letter submissions from Algonquin President and CEO Claude Brulé at the two highlighted links above).

“It is because of dedicated people working hard every day, to improve educational programs and campus life, that colleges and institutes are able to offer such remarkable student-experiences and training opportunities,” said Denise Amyot, CICan President and CEO. “This strong leadership was on full display this year, as COVID-19 forced all of us to adapt and innovate to meet unprecedented challenges. We are thrilled to honour these leaders and innovators who make the entire system stronger, more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of students as well as employers.”

Congratulations to all for a job well done.

Review the full list of award winners.

Children Treated to Outdoor Session of Indigenous Storytelling

A rapt audience of children from the Early Learning Centre were treated to Indigenous storytelling Thursday as Ron Deganadus McLester, Vice President of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization, shared with them the genius of First Nations nature tales.

The event, held in the Ishkodewan Courtyard on a perfect fall day, was a child-centred prelude to the events that will mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Algonquin College on September 30. The new federal statutory holiday is intended to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and honour their survivors, families and communities.

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College Community Gathers to Honour 215 Children Found Buried at Kamloops

The Algonquin College community gathered together virtually on Thursday morning to honour the lives of the 215 children whose remains were recently found buried at the Kamloops Residential School.

The purpose of the gathering, explained President and CEO Claude Brulé , was also to honour “the victims and survivors of residential schools across our country” and to “reflect on the discovery.”

Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Vice President, Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization at Algonquin College, who made opening remarks, said it was time for Indigenous people to be allowed to step back and grieve, and for settler allies to step up and act.

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Pembroke Kampus Kokum Offering Support to Indigenous Students

For many students, leaving family and loved ones behind to attend college means leaving a support network and family traditions. Luckily, Indigenous students at the Pembroke campus have the opportunity to interact with a supportive grandmother-figure who is ready and willing to engage with them.

Annie Parker is the Pembroke Kampus Kokum. A Kokum is an Algonquin Anishinaabe word for Grandmother. On campus, her roles to provide cultural and traditional insight, support and personal consultation for our Indigenous students.

It’s a new role for the College, and for Parker, and one she has embraced. “It’s a real honour,” she said. “I see it as being able to be open and honest with the students, I don’t have all the answers but I have a willingness to find the answers, to be approachable, and students can come to me. In short, develop relationships.” Continue reading →

AC and Ottawa Tourism launch Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training

Algonquin College and Ottawa Tourism celebrated the launch of Indigenous Tourism Entrepreneurship Training, which will support Indigenous entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their own business and tourism ideas.



Thanks to funding provided by the Canadian Experiences Fund, this partnership will see the creation of 10-week training modules, which will prepare Indigenous learners with the skillset to develop their business and tourism plans, and prepare them to pitch their idea to founders, as well as apply for funding through various agencies.

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Indigenous resources added to COVID-19 website

The Coronavirus Information site has been redesigned to improve navigability and help spotlight and organize resources for both students and employees.
Visit the new home page and special subsections devoted to Students and Employees.
Visit the new FAQ page, where you can find a variety of FAQs for students as well as a general FAQ for Employees and FAQ for faculty on Academic Continuity. New FAQ content includes Spring-Winter Term FAQs added to the Registrar’s Office FAQ located here.
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Algonquin College marks National Indigenous Peoples Day

Tureens of sweet-potato soup, fruit platters, bowls of salad, and baskets of bread. All this, along with flowers and sunshine, was there for those who came to Ishkodewan Friday to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day.

About 80 or so people – College leaders, students, and employees – enjoyed a noon-hour picnic on the lawn of the DARE District courtyard.

The event was intended to foster Indigenous storytelling and provide an opportunity for the College community to socialize in a beautiful setting. It was one of a number of National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in the National Capital Region on Friday.
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