Exploring Indigenous Culture and Building Relationships
The Students’ Association (SA) is committed to ensuring its wolf pack includes the Algonquin College’s Indigenous community and the region’s Indigenous community.
Published: April 4, 2025
The Students’ Association (SA) is committed to ensuring its wolf pack includes the Algonquin College’s Indigenous community and the region’s Indigenous community.
From collaborating with Indigenous Elders to partnering with the College’s Mamidosewin Centre on student events, the goal is to explore Indigenous connections, traditions, and culture.
Case in point, the SA and the Mamidosewin co-hosted a second Round Dance in the Athletics and Recreation Centre’s varsity gym on March 21. Round dances are traditional, festive cultural gatherings held to honour and remember ancestors and those who have passed away. Over 350 attendees came out for a night of song, dance, and learning. This year, the event also included an Indigenous Artisan Vendor Fair, which provided local Indigenous businesses the opportunity to showcase and sell their handmade crafts, artwork, and jewelry.
The SA’s growing partnership with the Mamidosewin was also recognized in presenting Anita Tenasco, Algonquin College’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, with the Chris Warburton Award of Excellence. The annual accolade recognizes an Algonquin College employee or community member who has made a significant contribution to student life.
“We want to build on our partnership with Anita, her team, and the local Indigenous community to share culture, knowledge, and stories – especially around the wolf, the animal that represents our varsity athletes and the entire college community,” said Ben Dinh, General Manager and CEO of the SA, when presenting Tenasco’s award.
The SA recently met with Indigenous Elders from Kitigan Zibi, the largest Algonquin community in Canada. They included Jenny Buckshot Tenasco, Brenda Odjick, Rene Tenasco, and Lionel Whiteduck.
As part of a learning circle, the Elders discussed the cultural meaning of the wolf. The goal was for the SA to better understand the significance of the wolf to the Algonquin People. Algonquin College campuses in Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke are located on the traditional unceded, and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People.
The elders reflected on some of the key attributes of the wolf, including loyalty, unity, community, and family. In Algonquin Indigenous culture, the wolf works collectively for the greater good of the pack.
“Wolves are known for impressive teamwork,” elder Lionel Whiteduck explained. “The pack works together with purpose.”
Other SA Indigenous collaborations with the Mamidosewin include cultural and educational events, such as film screenings, for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The SA is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and the Indigenization of the College’s campuses, including a $1-million investment in 2017 towards Indigenous artifacts and architecture in the DARE District on the Ottawa campus. That funding helped support a three-storey Turtle Island mural at the entrance to Nawapon, and elements of the outdoor Ishkodewan courtyard, including the fishing weir structure that surrounds the outdoor Fire Circle. The Ishkodewan is used for ceremonies, community gatherings, and teaching.
“The SA is proud of its contribution to Indigenous spaces on campus and is dedicated to continuing to work with the Mamidosewin Centre, Algonquin College, and local elders to celebrate and honour Indigenous culture, values, and ways of knowing,” said SA President Maria Silveira.