Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

Motto	An Anishinabe Worldview: Our Story... the truth.
Type	Indigenous Institute
Established	September 2008
Affiliation	Algoma University
Director	Dianne Roach
Location	Sault Ste. Marie & Garden River , Ontario , Canada

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is a special learning place led by Indigenous people. It works closely with Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie. This institute is one of nine Indigenous Institutes in Ontario that offer education after high school. It works with other colleges and universities to create programs especially for Indigenous students.

South side of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig in Autumn 2020

Inside the gallery at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

The Story of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

In 2006, the Shingwauk Education Trust created Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. Their goal was to offer education after high school that focused on Anishinaabe culture and ways of learning.

That same year, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig and Algoma University made an agreement to help each other grow. This partnership was very important and helped Algoma University become an independent school.

What Does the Name Mean?

The name Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig comes from the Anishinaabemowin words Zhingwaak Gikinoo'amaagegamig. This means "Shingwauk's Place of learning & knowledge."

The idea for a special place where Anishinaabe people could learn, often called a "teaching wigwam," first came from Chief Shingwauk. In the winter of 1833–34, Chief Shingwauk traveled a very long distance (about 700 kilometers!) by snowshoe to York, Ontario (which is now Toronto). He wanted to share his vision for his people's well-being and education.

Chief Shingwauk's Vision

After Chief Shingwauk passed away in 1854, his sons, Augustin Shingwauk and Bugujjewenene, along with the Anglican Church, worked to make his dream come true. In 1873, a school called the "Teaching Wigwam Lodge" was built in the Garden River community. It was also known as the Shingwauk Industrial Home.

However, this school became part of a system of schools called the Canadian residential school system. This system, influenced by the Anglican Church and government rules, tried to make Indigenous children forget their own culture. This was very different from Chief Shingwauk's original idea for a place of learning.

Today, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is located on the same land where the Shingwauk Indian Residential School once stood. The institute is now working hard to bring back Chief Shingwauk's original dream. It focuses on learning that celebrates Anishinaabe culture and knowledge.

What You Can Study

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig started offering courses in Anishinaabe studies in September 2008. In 2012, it became officially recognized by a group called the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC).

In 2018, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig and Algoma University signed a new agreement to strengthen their partnership.

The front entrance to Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is one of nine Indigenous Institutes in Ontario. It works with Algoma University to offer university degrees in Anishinaabemowin (the Ojibwe language) and Anishinaabe studies. The Anishinaabe Studies program, which started in 2018, was the first of its kind in Canada!

Anishinabek Discovery Centre

In 2016, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig received money from the government to build an Anishinabek Discovery Centre. This new building will greatly expand the types of programs and learning opportunities they can offer, all focused on culture. In 2018, the Assembly of First Nations decided that their National Chiefs Library would be kept at this new Anishinabek Discovery Centre.

People Who Have Been Part of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

Some well-known people who have studied or taught here include:

Partners and Supporters

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig was started by the Shingwauk Education Trust. Many groups and organizations have supported it, including: