Algoma University has selected Smoke Architecture and Moriyama & Teshima Architects in joint venture to develop the institution’s new Indigenous centre of cultural excellence: Mukqua Waakaa’igan.

Smoke Architecture is a renowned full-service Indigenous-owned architecture firm that focuses on First Nations and Indigenous projects. Moriyama & Teshima Architects is an award-winning architecture and planning firm that specializes in inclusive and intercultural approaches to design that transform communities and reinforce civic identity. 

“We’re really excited to be able to work closely with the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, Indigenous and community partners and Algoma University to help bring their vision for Mukqua Waakaa’igan to life,” said Eladia Smoke, Principal Architect at Smoke Architecture.

The name Mukqua Waakaa’igan was given to the project through ceremony in recognition of its deep significance. In Anishinaabemowin, Mukqua, the bear, is a carrier of medicine, and as such a healer; Waakaa’igan refers to its lodge or den. Algoma University has pledged to ensure that the significance of this name is reflected throughout the project’s functional design.

Mukqua Waakaa’igan was conceptualized to serve as a centre of cultural excellence for the country – a place 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 research. 

“Mukqua Waakaa’igan will showcase the decades of ‘truth telling’ work led by the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre,” said Algoma University President and Vice-Chancellor Asima Vezina. “As part of our commitments to the Calls to Action, Mukqua Waakaa’igan will provide a safe and culturally appropriate space to house and care for the archives from the residential schools history, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation Collection and other important historical documents.”   

The $18-million project will occupy the space where the university’s east wing and Doc Brown Lounge currently stands. Construction is targeted to start in late spring 2022, and take a full year to complete.

Consultations on the building design are expected to occur throughout December, while work to search the former residential school site continues.

The university has said the site search is a priority, and construction will not start until the site search work in the project zoned area is completed and approval from the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and its Advisory Committee is given.