Centre of Cultural Excellence will provide critical community resources for education, healthcare, and cultural preservation

Today, Algoma University announced an additional $2 million in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for the eagerly anticipated Makwa Waakaa’igan project in Sault Ste. Marie. 

The $45-million Centre of Cultural Excellence for the country is a distinct state-of-the-art facility honouring the Children of Shingwauk, their families and successive generations. It is meant to continue our communities’ path to reconciliation through the reclamation and celebration of Anishinaabe lifeways and education in post-secondary spaces.

Founded through the leadership of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA), a community of Residential School Survivors and their descendants, the facility will house the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC) archives, Indigenous teachings and integrate academic research, art, healing, and ceremony. 

Makwa Waakaa’igan is expected to draw over 35,000 visitors annually and contribute to the education of over 15,000 post-secondary and high school students. It will also house a new Mental Health and Addictions Research and Training Institute, established in partnership with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University. 

This latest funding from NOHFC is the fourth contribution the University has received from various federal and provincial ministries, reflecting the government’s strong and ongoing commitment to supporting the institution’s initiatives. 

Construction is set to begin this fall, with a grand opening in 2026. While Makwa Waakaa’igan is a top priority for Algoma University, the University is deeply and fully committed to providing space and support for the Indigenous-led site search at the Sault Ste. Marie campus. Construction and project timelines are considered draft and subject to change until the site search team clears the area.

Visit the Makwa Waakaa’igan website to learn more.

Visit this link to view photos from this event.

Quotes

Minister Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation
“Today’s investment from the NOHFC represents a pivotal step in advancing our commitment to making reconciliation real for First Nations communities. With our support for the Makwa Waakaa’igan Centre of Cultural Excellence, we are deepening our collective understanding of Indigenous truths and fostering a space where meaningful dialogue and healing can thrive. This Centre will not only honour and celebrate Indigenous knowledge and traditions but will also serve as a valuable resource for education and collaboration for years to come.” 

MPP Ross Romano
“Our government is dedicated to working with our northern and Indigenous partners to foster growth and well-being in the North and ensure a prosperous future for all,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “I’m excited that we were able to secure $2 million for this project through the NOHFC and thank Minister Rickford for his ongoing support of this file. I look forward to the beginning of construction.”

Joel Syrette, Director Makwa Waakaa’igan
“Makwa Waakaa’igan is a path forward – a Centre of Excellence dedicated to truth-telling, healing, mutual respect, and fostering relationships with Survivor communities. With the crucial support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), we are now on the cusp of bringing this Indigenous-led initiative to fruition. This funding marks a significant milestone in our journey toward making a lasting impact for future generations.”

Chair Kelli-Ann Lemieux, Board of Governors Chair
“The Board is extremely proud of the profound impact Makwa Waakaa’igan will have on our community. It is a privilege to work with Survivors and Indigenous knowledge leaders whose wisdom and resilience guide us in forging new pathways of collaboration. Together, we are confronting the mental health and addictions crisis with compassion and strength, creating lasting change for the well-being of our people and future generations.”

Taylor Sayers, Board of Governors Member
“Making the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre archives accessible to our community and visitors reflects our dedication to the truth and reconciliation with the Indigenous communities, and allows the Survivors’ stories to be told from their perspective. Guided by the wisdom of Survivors and Indigenous Knowledge leaders, Makwa Waakaa’igan will be a place for Indigenous stories, teachings, research, and culture to be shared reflecting the university’s special mission of cross-cultural learning.”

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