University of Ottawa announces free tuition for Algonquin students

While the University of Ottawa says its still trying to work out the details of who qualifies as Algonquin – a controversial topic in Ontario, the director of Indigenous affairs is excited for the initiative. “I actually think it’s far overdue for institutions in this country to be having these acts of reconciliation, in particular the communities that the institution operates on,” says Tareyn Johnson. “The students feel more welcome on campus, the community feels respected. “It’s an homage that we owe the Algonquin people since we’re on their territory to offer their students the opportunity to come here, free of tuition.” Johnson, who is Anishinaabe from Georgina Island First Nation, says the waiver is a large part of the university’s Indigenization plan. She says it took a lot of collaboration and planning behind the scenes. “There are ten Algonquin communities that are eligible for the tuition waiver,” she says. “We did that through the Algonquin Anishnabe Tribal Council, the Algonquin Nation Secretariat and Pikwakanagan. The communities were identified by them and so what happens is the students apply as usual through their secondary funding and then the band offices will send us the list of eligible students, and they will receive the waiver.” Those eligible must be from one of the federally recognized Algonquin communities in Ontario and Quebec. Eligible students can apply for a start in September. Continue Reading