Centennial College Indigenous Spaces: Start Here

Welcome! This guide was created to highlight the unique Indigenous spaces across Centennial College's Progress Campus and invite you to learn more about the meaning behind them.

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation: mncfn.ca

Contributing artists: Kyle Sault and R. Stacey Laforme; Graphics by Shelda Martin

• Eagle…
  The Eagle is used because it is the predominant totem of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The Eagle is viewed as the messenger—the Mississaugas were once considered to be great messengers, some days, traveling up to 80 miles on foot.
• Three Fires…
  The three fires is symbolic of the Mississaugas’ traditional and political alliance with the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi Nations. A council, the Three Fires Council, was established and still exists today.
• The Circle of Life…
  Within this category there are two aspects. One, First Nations teach that every living thing is related and interconnected—we are all a part of the Circle of Life. Secondly, the blue writing symbolizes the interconnectedness to the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Credit River and Lake Ontario.
• The Peace Pipe…
  The Peace Pipe is the Mississauga People’s equivalent of a Parliamentary Mace. The pipe was given to the Mississauga Peter Jones by Queen Victoria’s cousin Augustus d’este. It is used in special opening ceremonies to thank the great spirit, mother earth, and the sun.

Description via Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

Anishinabek Nation: www.anishinabek.ca

"The Anishinabek Nation flag features an Animikii (thunderbird) at the centre. According to traditional teachings, this powerful, spiritual animal is said to create the sound of thunder just by the flapping of its wings. The bird is also a protector with the ability to bring rain that nurtures and cleanses the earth." (Smith Magazine, 2021)

Métis Nation of Ontario: www.metisnation.org

"The horizontal figure or infinity symbol featured on the Métis flag was originally carried by French ‘half-breeds’ with pride. The symbol, which represents the immortality of the nation, in the centre of a blue field represents the joining of two cultures. Though the historical origins of the infinity flag continue to be a source of debate there is no doubt that the Métis flag is carried today as a symbol of continuity and pride." (Symbols and Traditions, Métis Nation of Ontario)

How to make a tobacco tie (Bear Standing Tall Digital Awareness)

Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Ontario: A Study of Exclusion at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (Yellowhead Institute)

"The term food sovereignty was coined in 1996 by the members of the Via Campesina (peasants) movement, started in Central and South America. The movement was sparked from the need for farmers and growers producing the food to have control and voice in regards to policy making within the food system.

The movement strongly focused on the right of people to have access to foods that are culturally appropriate, and that are produced in a ethical and sustainable way. The most important aspect of the food sovereignty movement is that everyone has a right to define their own food and agriculture systems" (Ojibiikaan, Indigenous Cultural Network).

The domed shape is the od-e (heart) of the building," says Eladia Smoke, Lead Architect of Smoke Architecture. "It's wrapped in a wood finish that reflects the geometric scale-like pattern on the outside of the building. It recalls local architecture such as the wiigiwaam, and follows the principals of the nimii-idiwigamig (Anishinaabe Roundhouse).

There are further architectural references to the four directions, connections with the earth and sky worlds and a fireplace installed for holding ceremonial fires, which is extremely rare in institutional settings. The art featured is by Cree/Métis artist Rebecca Baird and features the moon with the four sacred medicines, semaa (tobacco), giizhik (cedar), bashkodejiibik (sage) and wiingashk (sweetgrass). Description via Centennial College.

How to Participate in a Sacred Fire (Trent University)

Information contained in this guide was provided by Centennial College faculty members, Shannon Winterstein and Harmony Nadjiwon. Guide organized and maintained by School of English and Liberal Studies Librarian, Stephanie Power.

An Ojibway Story of Creation (Pic River First Nation)

Anishinaabe Creation Story told by Traditional Knowledge Keeper Brian Peltier (Wabano Centre)

Haudenosaunee Creation Story (Kay Olan)

Ojibwe Medicine Wheel via Curve Lake Cultural Centre

The Moccasin Identifier

"This initiative has been developed by Carolyn King in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and The Greenbelt Foundation, to promote public awareness of significant cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Metis and Indigenous Communities"(Moccasin Identifier). Moccasin identifiers can be found across Progress campus! Keep your eyes peeled to spot this remarkable art project.

All moccasins researched and designed by Philip Cote.

"Looking at the way the traditional Anishinaabe Wigwams were designed with their skin pulled up in the summer for air circulation, DIALOG incorporated that same concept for the building envelope at the corner of the building. An innovative building skin blends modern technological advances and Indigenous natural worlds together through an aluminum panel shaped like fish scales and detailed with contemporary parametric software, which makes it feel like animal skin and gives the sense that the building itself is alive." (DIALOG Architects).