Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government has announced a $5 million investment for the Makwa Waakaa’igan Cultural Centre at Algoma University.
Funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund from the Department of Canadian Heritage, will support the construction of a new three-floor facility dedicated to preserving and celebrating local Indigenous history.
The Makwa Waakaa’igan Cultural Centre will include cultural and ceremonial spaces, an archive and library, and areas for academic learning and teaching. The design of the centre has been developed in partnership with the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, which consists of former residential school students and their families. The centre aims to honour the historical and ceremonial significance of the site for survivors and Indigenous communities.
“The support for projects like the Makwa Waakaa’igan Cultural Centre is central to reconciliation efforts,” said Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This initiative honours the experiences of Indigenous peoples and offers a platform for cross-cultural learning, fostering understanding and healing related to Canada’s residential school history.”
The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports improvements in arts, heritage, culture, and creative innovation. It funds renovations, construction, specialized equipment, and feasibility studies.
Algoma University, located on the site of the former Shingwauk Residential School, provides higher education to Indigenous peoples and the broader community. The land was originally designated for the education of Anishinaabe children by Chief Shingwaukonse of Garden River First Nation.
“The Makwa Waakaa’igan Cultural Centre will be essential in bridging the gap between local Indigenous communities and the broader Northern Ontario population. It will provide Canadians and international visitors with an opportunity to engage with and learn about Indigenous culture and history,” said Terry Sheehan, Sault Ste. Marie MP.
The $5 million funding will be allocated over four fiscal years: $3 million in 2023–24, $1.5 million in 2024–25, $450,000 in 2025–26, and $50,000 in 2026–27.
