Panel

In 1831, Chief Shingwauk, concerned for the survival and mino-bimaadiziwin (well-being) of the Anishinaabe people, had a vision of a “Kinoomaage Gamig” (Teaching Wigwam); a place for the purpose of educating the Anishinaabe people the ways of the European people that came to Sault Ste. Marie, while teaching newcomers how to live in harmony with the Anishinaabe. This vision was appropriated by the Anglican church and the assimilation policies of the Canadian government, twisting it into the nightmare of the Shingwauk Hall Indian Residential School (1873-1970) now home to Algoma University’s Sault Ste. Marie campus. Algoma University – which is the only post-secondary institution in Canada situated in a former residential school -recognizes the campus’ dark history through the leadership and guidance of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA) who are survivor’s of this residential school.

Stemming from Chief Shingwauk’s vision is Gabegendaadowin. Gabegendaadowin translates to Mutual Respect, Thoughtfulness, Care, Consideration and Awareness for Others. It was developed to fill the need for reconciliation education and action planning for community agencies and companies to create new pathways for working with, and providing services to Indigenous peoples. Program participants are immersed in a curriculum that begins daily in ceremony and continues with an exploration of the impact of historical and contemporary colonial policies on First Nations peoples, including a tour of the former residential school. Curriculum includes recognizing and addressing social determinants to Indigenous peoples health and well-being, understanding bias and anti-Indigenous racism, and exploring the truth and what the TRC calls to action mean from a company and personal perspective. The program was designed and vetted through an exclusively Indigenous lens by Anishinaabe scholars, survivors, students, local First Nations political and administrative leadership and is facilitated by Algoma university staff, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous consultants.

Participants learn about processes and lessons learned in developing and delivering this Indigenous led and culturally immersive program, how a program unfolds for non-Indigenous learners when it incorporates a holistic approach into its pedagogy and discussions to support reconciliation conversations with leaders, companies and community by using their organization as a focal point to bring peoples together.