Carleton opens new Aboriginal centre

Carleton University has opened its new Aboriginal centre, called Ojigkwanong, which means morning star in Algonquin. Designed by renowned Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, the centre consists of circular designs in keeping with Indigenous themes, and includes an Elder’s circle for smudging, ceremonies and events, a computer lab, work and study spaces for students, and a communal kitchen. The centre will serve more than 500 Aboriginal students and faculty, as well as Elders and non-Aboriginal members of the Carleton community. “Seventy years ago, Carleton was founded by the community and today we’re celebrating a part of our community, not just a space,” said Carleton President Roseann O’Reilly Runte. One student noted the “collaborative effort” that went into the “bigger, more flowing, beautiful and organic space” of the 1,850 square-foot centre. Carleton News Release