Nidjìnawendàganag, an Anishinabe word which translates to “all my relations” is the name of a new Living and Learning Community (LLC) on the University of Ottawa’s main campus. It is a space dedicated to Indigenous students, culture, kinship, and community and is designed to provide those students with a culturally safe and supportive home, living amongst their peers.
The project was made possible thanks to a $500,000 gift over 5-years from the University of Ottawa Alumni Association to help Indigenous students cover some of the costs of living in residence. Their aim is to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis students on campus develop a stronger sense of belonging – a key step towards Reconciliation.
“Empowering Indigenous students, fostering inclusion and improving access to education are important principles to the Alumni Association,” explained Josephine A.L. Palumbo, President of the University of Ottawa Alumni Association. “Our members know how important it is to foster a sense of belonging within the university community as a key component to academic success and overall wellbeing, which is why we are so pleased for the opportunity to support such a worthy initiative.”
The funds will offer financial support to incoming or current University of Ottawa Indigenous students who wish to live in the Nidjìnawendàganag LLC and cannot afford the total cost of residence and meal plan fees. It will provide up to $9,000 per student per year, which covers approximately 65% of the total cost of living on campus and having a meal plan.
The Alumni Association, which represents uOttawa’s 250,000 alumni, will also contribute $10,000 a year to support cultural activities in the Living and Learning Community.
“This gift is a huge gesture towards reconciliation at the University of Ottawa. Indigenous students will benefit greatly from the opportunity to study and live with cultural teachings and community support,” added Tareyn Johnson, Director of Indigenous Affairs.
Under the direction and guidance of the Office of Indigenous Affairs (OIA), the
Nidjìnawendàganag LLC will be located at Thompson Hall and offer an initial 26 spaces with room to grow, depending on demand.
The new Living and Learning Community is a vital component of the University of Ottawa Indigenous Action Plan, which aims to Indigenize its campus by learning from, and working with, various Indigenous worldviews. The LLC will open next fall.
This is the second significant gift from the Alumni Association directly tied to supporting the well-being of students. In 2021, the Association donated $500,000 to fund evening counselling services for students in distress or in need of mental health support after regular business hours.
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