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First look at a big, unusual building rising in the Sault (6 photos)

In the big excavation across Queen Street from Algoma University, a massive national chiefs library is starting to take shape

It's one of the world's smallest universities, but that's about to change.

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is constructing a $10.2-million national archives building just across Queen Street from Algoma University.

The building, which will also serve as a home for Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), will consist of a single storey, 24-feet high and shaped like a traditional Anishinaabe lodge.

Darrell Boissoneau told a funding announcement on Friday that the huge structure will have 20,800 square feet of LEED-certified space, including its own rainwater collection system

"It's going to  be a world-class centre. People from all over the world are going to come here to learn about what it is that we do here," Boissoneau said.

Founded in September 2008, SKG is an evolving Anishinaabe university that currently offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Anishinaabe studies through Algoma University.

Its national chiefs library will be the first-ever First Nations-organized and First Nations-run research library in Canada.

At Friday's funding announcement, Sault MP Terry Sheehan announced $5.1 million in funding for the Anishinabek Discovery Centre, on top of  $5.1 million in federal funding received last October.

"We anticipate to have 10 to 15 full-time jobs in faculty, staff and administration," Boissoneau announced.

SKG had just 10 days to submit its initial application for federal funding, and Boissineau thanked Mike D'angelo, Greg Punch, Pam  Nolan, Deanna Heyde, Steve Nolan, Ken Herndon and Mitch Case for scrambling to get the paperwork completed.

"These people volunteered. They came in on the weekend and we got it done just in time and we sent it off electronically to meet the deadline," Boissoneau said.

Boissoneau also commended the involvement of Rory Ring from the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

"People seem to think that racism doesn't exist for us. And it does. The first piece of racism that our people face, whether they are young people or elders, when we go to the store and we pull out our status card."

"The chamber has been really helpful with that, so we're going to have more discussion and get more things underway," Boissoneau said.

 


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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