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Shingwauk Hall: From "Teaching Wigwam" to Residential School

The original vision for Shingwauk Hall in the early 19th century came from Chief Augustin Shingwaik, the chief of the Ojibway people, as he felt "that the future Ojibway needed to learn the white man's academic method of education in order to survive in what was becoming a 'predominately non-native world with non-native values'".[2] While Chief Shingwauk's vision of a teaching wigwam for his people would not come to fruition in his lifetime, a residential school would eventually receive funding in 1872 from the combined efforts of Chiefs Augustin Shingwauk and Buhkwujjenene Shingwauk (Chief Shingwauk's sons) and the Anglican Missionary, Rev. Edward Francis Wilson.[3]↵The initial building was constructed in Garden River First Nation in 1873 and housed 16 students. It tragically burnt down 6 days later. A new building was erected in Sault Ste. Marie in 1875.[4] The residential school provided religious instruction and occupational training for Indian youth.

Shingwauk Hall would eventually become part of the broader movement across Canada to assimilate Canada's First Nations peoples, straying far from Chief Shingwauk's vision for a teaching wigwam. Students in the residential school system endured poor living conditions, physical and emotional abuse and segregation from their own family members.[5]

Shingwauk Hall, presently the main building of Algoma University College, was erected in 1935 after it was deemed the original building had deteriorated beyond repair.[6] Algoma University College

The desire to establish an undergraduate Liberal Arts College in Sault Ste. Marie originated as a broad citizens’ movement in the 1950s. In October 1964, the Algoma College Association was incorporated by Letters Patent of the Province of Ontario. One year later, Algoma College was established as a non-sectarian institution affiliated with Laurentian University. In September 1967, Algoma College opened its doors to its first students. Part-time enrolment expanded to over 1000 students by 1969-70. The year 1971 marked a significant turning point in the College’s history in respect to both program and facilities. In recognition of the rapid maturation of the College, the Department of University Affairs authorized the expansion of full-time in Arts to the full three years. In addition, in September 1971, the College was relocated to its own campus acquiring by lease, Shingwauk Hall and the Shingwauk site. In 1975, with the assistance of a grant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the college purchased Shingwauk Hall and 37 acres (15 ha) of land surrounding the buildings.[7]

In 1975 the college purchased Shingwauk Hall, the building that housed the aforementioned residential school, and 37 acres (15 ha) of land including property along the St. Mary's River front. In 1989 the Arthur A. Wishart library opened, followed by expansion in 1992 with the opening of the George Leach Centre. Student residence buildings were constructed in 1995 and later expanded in 2001.

2005 was another significant year for the school, as a $6 million technology wing saw expansion unprecedented in the school's young past. Included in the wing are state-of-the-art technology and computer labs, the 'Great West Life Amphitheatre' (a 250+ seat lecture hall), a new student centre, cafeteria, faculty offices, a bookstore and campus shop, and a new pub.[8]

Algoma's independence from Laurentian University was first proposed in 1994. The original proposal would have seen the school renamed Shingwauk University, but was not ultimately pursued by the MTCU.

On May 31, 2007, the government of Ontario announced that it would introduce legislation to charter Algoma as a fully independent university. After the government passed the Algoma University Act, it was given royal assent by David Onley, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on June 18, 2008.[9] Nipissing University in North Bay, also formerly an affiliated college of Laurentian University, similarly received status as an independent university in 1992.

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is the name of a federated institution dedicated to Anishnaabe education.