Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedNor) and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie; the Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities and Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; and Asima Vezina, President and Vice-Chancellor of Algoma University announced joint funding for a new Indigenous Cultural Centre at Algoma University.

“Construction of Mukqua Waakaa’igan cultural centre at Algoma University is an important step in moving forward on our path to reconciliation. Federal funding will help this new centre to serve as a centre of excellence to the community, promote Anishinaabe culture and create a diverse, respectful space for the local urban Indigenous population and surrounding rural First Nations. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, tackles climate change and builds more inclusive communities.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Algoma University’s Mukqua Waakaa’igan cultural centre will not only serve as a centre of excellence helping to promote Anishinaabe culture, it also will help bridge the gap between the public and Indigenous communities to build a diverse, respectful environment and learn about Truth and Reconciliation and the residential schools’ legacy.”

Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedNor) and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

“Algoma University’s campus is home to Shingwauk Hall, the only building left in Ontario that housed a residential school that you can visit today. The Children of Shingwauk are the survivors of this dark period in Canadian history; they have worked tirelessly to speak the truth of what occurred in Canada’s residential schools. This announcement is so much more than the construction of a large infrastructure project in Sault Ste. Marie. This $18 million project will house the largest set of residential school archives in the country and serve as a destination for people to learn more about our history. The project will form a critical step towards reconciliation. This is an incredibly unique way to preserve and showcase our history; it is a commemoration of Algoma University’s evolution and identity as a University in Canada.”

The Hononourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities and Member of Provincial Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

"Today marks a momentous occasion in the history of the Shingwauk site and for Algoma University and the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA). Mukqua Waakaa’igan will become a Centre of Cultural Excellence for the country; a place in Baawaating, where people of all cultures will be welcomed from around the world to share and learn from and with each other as part of the University’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for cross-cultural understanding, teaching, learning and healing. In Anishinaabemowin, Mukqua Waakaa’igan honours the bear as a carrier of medicine, and as such a healer, Waakaa’igan refers to its lodge or den. The name Mukqua Waakaa’igan was given to this place of learning and healing through ceremony and in recognition of this very significant work. With over 50 countries now represented on our Sault Ste. Marie campus, Mukqua Waakaa’igan will be a safe space for important dialogues about the past, the present and the future. Its contribution -  to combat racism and build the capacity of people to live harmoniously, together with Creation and this world.”

Asima Vezina, President and Vice-Chancellor of Algoma University

• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

• Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $9.8 billion in over 3,150 infrastructure projects.

• Across the province and over the next 10 years, Ontario is investing approximately $320 million and Canada is investing approximately $407 million under the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This stream supports the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities that improve community infrastructure (community centres, libraries), recreational venues (arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (theatres, museums). 

• Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.

Associated links

• Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
• Ontario Builds Project Map

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
chantalle.aubertin@canada.ca

Christine Bujold
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
416-454-1782
christine.bujold@ontario.ca

Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure
437-991-3391
sofia.sousa-Dias@ontario.ca

Brian Leahy
Communications Director
Algoma University
705-254-8277
brian.leahy@algomau.ca

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