Courtesy
Key figures at the Kwigw8mna opening ceremony, front row (left to right): Casey Konwanoronkwa Goodleaf, 3rd year B.A. in Elementary Education & Indigenous Studies; Geneviève Hébert, MNA for St-François and Assistant Government Whip; Richard O’Bomsawin, Chief of the Abenaki of Odanak; Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop’s University; Vicky Boldo, Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives; Shawna C. Jerome, Coordinator for the Indigenous Student Support Centre; Marie-Claude Bibeau, Member of the House of Commons for Compton–Stanstead; Michael Goldbloom, Former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop’s University (2008-2023).

Second row (left to right): Megan Hébert-Lebfevre, Niaka Design; Valérie Laforce, Niaka Design; Lois Dana, Student Life Counsellor for Indigenous and Intercultural Affairs at Champlain College; Curran Katsi’tsoronkwas Jacobs, Bishop’s Alumna (Class of 2015) and Professor in the School of Education; Dr. Genner Llanes-Ortiz, Canadian Research Chair (CRC) in Digital Indigeneities; Drew Henkel, President of the Student Representative Council.

Bishop’s University opens a space for Indigenous reconciliation and community

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

On March 21, 2025, Bishop’s University marked a momentous occasion with the opening of Kwigw8mna – a new space dedicated to Indigenous student support, culture, and academic growth. The name, which means “our house and yours” in Abenaki, reflects the university’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding.

Kwigw8mna, built within the former Divinity House – a building once used for clergy training – is now transformed into a hub for Indigenous students, according to a related a press release. The facility features the Indigenous Student Support Centre, gathering spaces, study rooms, and an Indigenous research lab. This space aims to provide students with a sense of belonging while encouraging cultural exchange and learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the university community.

The event was an opportunity for both reflection and renewal, according to Vicky Boldo, Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives at Bishop’s University. “This building carries a complicated history,” Boldo said during the opening ceremony, “and today, it stands as a place of healing, strength, and Indigenous leadership. It is a tangible commitment to making Bishop’s a place where Indigenous students feel seen, supported, and valued.”

A key moment in the celebration was the territorial acknowledgment by Danai Bélanger, Vice-Principal of Student Affairs. “This land was taken without consent,” she said. “We recognize the profound harm inflicted upon Indigenous communities by colonial entities. We must prioritize cultural safety, connection, and Indigenous knowledge in our academic spaces.”

The ceremony, which included traditional drumming by The Flying Sturgeons, also featured heartfelt speeches from prominent figures. Richard O’Bomsawin, Chief of the Abenaki of Odanak, remarked, “Kwigw8mna represents both a commitment and a responsibility. This territory has long been a place of connection, and now it is a space that fosters growth for Indigenous students.”

Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, Bishop’s University Principal and Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the significance of the project. “Kwigw8mna represents Bishop’s lasting commitment to Indigenous students and communities,” he said. “It is a space that embodies our responsibility to uphold Indigenous ways of seeing and doing. We are humbled and honoured to have led this initiative and to continue fostering meaningful dialogue and understanding on our campus and within our community.”

The opening was a celebration of collaboration, with contributions from various community members, university staff, and external donors. A generous $12.7 million investment from the Government of Quebec helped bring this vision to life, alongside support from the Government of Canada and private donors. The final price for the renovations was more than $16 million. Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, expressed her support in the release, stating, “A space such as this will allow Indigenous cultures to shine within the university and promote access to higher education for students from these communities. I congratulate everyone who worked hard to make it happen!”

Indigenous students, too, were excited about the new space. Casey Goodleaf, a third-year student in Elementary Education with a minor in Indigenous Studies, shared her enthusiasm: “Kwigw8mna is a new home away from home. It can be hard to be away from community, but this will be a space that helps create one here – a place to gather and share our stories, ideas, and culture.”

Kwigw8mna’s opening marks not only a physical transformation of the building but also a symbolic one, standing as a beacon of reconciliation and a step towards better supporting Indigenous students. Through continued dialogue, understanding, and respect, Bishop’s University hopes to strengthen its relationship with Indigenous communities and contribute to the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation. The event ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a closing speech from community leaders, who emphasized the importance of coming together to build a brighter future for coming generations.