Art and cultural knowledge merge at Cedar Art workshop

On Thursday, Nov. 13, learners, employees and community members gathered in Nawapon to learn from Anita Tenasco, Director,group poses with cedar art

Indigenous Initiatives, about the traditional healing knowledge of the cedar tree.

Cedar is associated with healing and purification from its medicinal uses and role in ceremonies. In Tenasco’s Indigenous teachings, she shared that cedar is used in many forms, including teas, treating skin conditions like eczema, preparing the body for the spirit world, burial traditions and use on newborns and the ill to promote healing. Read more >


Honouring a partnership with Nunavut Sivuniksavut College

On Oct. 8, Algonquin College was honoured by Nunavut Sivuniksavut College (NS) for its longstanding collaboration in delivering Inuit-Honour received from NS Collegefocused education. The award, featuring a traditional ulu (a multi-purpose cutting tool), celebrates NS’s 40th anniversary and recognizes Algonquin College’s partnership role in supporting Inuit learners for more than 35 years. Read more >


New Pìwànak murals highlight Indigenous culture and science education

The new Pìwànak — Algonquin Centre for Science and Innovation is designed to provide students a state-of-the-art science education, givingNew mural in Piwanak, the new science lab hands-on experience with the same technology they can expect to encounter in the workplace. In addition to the technical side, the Centre is also alive with Indigenous imagery and knowledge.

Pìwànak, meaning “flint” in the Anishinàbe Algonquin language, represents the start of something new. Pìwànak features two large murals, incorporating design elements that have significant meaning to Indigenous culture, with the overall design guided by Brenda Odjick, Lionel Whiteduck, Anita Tenasco and Rene Tenasco. The murals themselves were designed and painted by artist Shalak Attack, with her partner Bruno Smoky of Clandestinos Art assisting her on the larger mural. Read more >


Chocolate with purpose: Celebrating Truth, Reconciliation and learning

Faculty members Chef Muriel Ong and Chef Karla Rosas from the Baking and Pastry Arts program, CAPA, School of Business and Hospitality,Harsh Singh and Anita Tenasco unveil chocolate sculpture led the creation of a chocolate sculpture with student volunteers. The sculpture, titled “Hope” was inspired by the Algonquin College Coat of Arms.

Made from repurposed chocolate, the piece acknowledges Truth and Reconciliation and supports ongoing conversations around Indigenization and food origins. Read more >


Strengthening connections: Algonquin College at Ottawa Aboriginal Career Fair

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Human Resource members from Talent Acquisition and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) proudlyAlgonquin College at Indigenous Career Fair represented Algonquin College at the annual Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition Career Fair, reaffirming our commitment to Indigenous inclusion and community engagement and marks an important step forward in advancing our Indigenous Recruitment Strategic Plan through authentic relationship-building and shared learning. Read more >


Kwey Series returns for Fall 2025

Kwey, my name is Anita Tenasco and I am the Director of Indigenous Initiatives here at Algonquin College. Anita Tenasco introduces Kwey Series

Welcome to the latest edition of Kwey, Algonquin College’s Indigenous Language Video Series. Kwey is an Algonquin greeting that means hello. Since the spring of 2024, we have created more than 50 videos sharing words, expressions and phrases in the Anishinàbe Algonquin language, the traditional language of this region.

The videos you will see over the next few months will feature vocabulary and phrases related to the different schools and faculty at Algonquin College. Read more >


Introducing the Indigenous Studies Subject Guide

Algonquin College’s Library has launched a new Indigenous Studies Subject Guide, a carefully curated collection of resources designedIndigenous Studies Subject Guide to support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners.

Developed in collaboration with Kerry Potts, Indigenous Pedagogy and Curriculum Consultant, and faculty from the Indigenous Studies department, this guide supports the launch of the College’s two new Indigenous Studies programs debuting this fall: Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Studies Foundations – Inuit, Métis, and First Nations. This guide serves as a gateway to discover, explore, and deepen your understanding of Indigenous knowledges, cultures, histories and contemporary issues. Read more >


Northern youth learn skilled trades and receive career coaching at Ottawa Campus

Students wear aprons and chef hands in a professional kitchen, holding cookies, salsa and guacamole.

Students showcase their culinary creations, including cookies, guacamole and Pico de Gallo. (DJ Porter/NYA)

Participants from the Northern Youth Abroad (NYA) Next program have returned to Algonquin College to learn life skills and receive individual career coaching. Open to Nunavut and the Northwest Territories youth aged 16-22, NYA Next students reside at the Ottawa Campus for several weeks in July while taking classes in the applied trades and live as a post-secondary student. The twenty-three students in this year’s cohort will leave the program with high school credits, career preparedness and volunteer experience. Read more >



Honouring tradition: The sacred meaning of medicine pouches

Medicine pouches have meaning in many Indigenous cultures. The medicine pouches hold sacred objects and traditional medicines. Each one is unique, often filled with items, like precious stones, or cultural objects that hold personal significance. They serve to stay connected to the spiritual world, honour ancestors, and carry blessings. Read more >