You may notice archaeologists on the front lawn of Algoma U

You may notice something unique happening on the front lawn of Algoma University over the next two weeks: an archaeological search.

In a news release issued Friday, the university said it wants to give the public advance notice of the archaeological work, which is part of the Makwa Waakaa’igan project — a soon-to-be built Indigenous cultural centre on campus.

When finished, the $43.3-million, three-storey facility will be home to the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre archives and will house a new Mental Health and Addictions Research and Training Institute in partnership with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM University). 

It’s anticipated the new facility will open its doors sometime in 2027.  

“As part of the municipal permit process for the construction of Makwa Waakaa’igan, the WSP archeology team will be completing an archaeology search on the front lawn of Algoma University’s Sault Ste. Marie campus over the next two weeks,” the news release says. “Ahead of the planned commemorative events for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will be hosted at Algoma University’s Sault Ste. Marie campus on Monday, September 30, 2024, we wanted to inform the community about this archaeological work currently taking place on-site.”

This permit process is not related to the ongoing site search for unmarked graves being led by The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA) and NORDIK Institute. 

“However, we continue to collaborate closely with our site search team,” the release says.

More information about the university’s events marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation can be found HERE.