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Convocation Day at Algonquin College

The following is an excerpt from the President Claude Brulé’s October 28 address at the 2020 Convocation; learn more about Algonquin College first virtual convocation here. As your President, I […]

Office of the President

Photos:

November 4, 2020
Revised: November 4, 2020 10:37am

The following is an excerpt from the President Claude Brulé’s October 28 address at the 2020 Convocation; learn more about Algonquin College first virtual convocation here.

As your President, I am both humbled and honoured to have this opportunity to celebrate your resilience and success.

Amidst the events reshaping our global reality, be they the pandemic, climate change, the fight for social justice and equality, or automation and the world of Artificial Intelligence, we come together to celebrate your incredible achievement, which is all the more remarkable given these extraordinary times.

In this age of great uncertainty, I can be certain of one thing…. The steadfast determination you have displayed will serve you well in the new environment being shaped so rapidly before us.

The world you are entering, upon graduation, looks nothing like the world from even a year ago. Yet, along with the challenges that lay ahead, the future holds promise and opportunities the likes of which have not been presented to any generation for a long time.

The door is open for you to really change the world, and not in a clichéd sense, but in real and tangible ways, emboldened with fresh ideas and new perspectives.

It also stands ready for your generation’s champions of social justice, to address issues of inequity, and the lack of diversity and inclusion that recent events have brought to the forefront in ways that can no longer be ignored.

Whatever your path forward, you will have the opportunity to help lead a true transformation –

to recalibrate the socio-economic inequities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour on a scale never seen before. And to reshape the modern workforce and break new ground in your chosen field.

Embracing our community will hopefully be one of the enduring legacies to emerge from these times, and you will be the ones to pass this on to the next generation.

Education, in its many forms, is a significant touchstone. It helps form the solid ground beneath our feet. It allows us to adapt, pivot and anticipate rather than merely react when change inevitably challenges our lives.

The knowledge and skills you have acquired here at Algonquin College are now part of your “tool kit”, helping to “future-proof” your career.

I want to borrow now from my colleague, Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Algonquin’s Vice President – Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization. He often uses the metaphor of arrows in a

quiver. An arrow on its own will snap easily, however when they are bundled together, they are strong and resilient. Having many arrows in your quiver provides strength, and will enhance your confidence when faced with the many challenges set to come your way.

So … going forward … be inspired to learn new things and develop new skills. Fill your quiver with more arrows and make your mark.

Everything of value starts with an idea. What ideas are you preparing to share with the world? What script are you about to write?

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the author, Neil Gaiman, and I’d like to borrow what I think is an appropriate quote from his book, Art Matters: “It is easy to pretend that nobody can change anything, that society is huge and the individual is less than nothing. But the truth is, individuals make the future, and they do it by imagining that things can be different.”

So, when you think about your future, where does your imagination take you? The world needs your creativity, your energy and your resiliency more than ever before. It needs you to dream big dreams, and to go forward and be fearless.

Be unafraid to fail and to learn from your missteps. To borrow again from Neil Gaiman: “Now go, and make interesting mistakes…Make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here.” History is filled with the stories of entrepreneurs and leaders in every field whose ideas met with initial dismissal, failure, and seemingly insurmountable odds before they achieved success.

So let opportunity be what defines you. I know you already possess the determination, imagination and innovative spirit to overcome any obstacles in your path.

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Claude Brulé

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Taking care of one’s own mental health should be top priority

The Fall term has always been a time of excitement – but also of increased responsibility and stress within our College community. Amidst the pandemic, I know many of us […]

Office of the President

Photos:

October 14, 2020
Revised: October 15, 2020 6:54pm

The Fall term has always been a time of excitement – but also of increased responsibility and stress within our College community. Amidst the pandemic, I know many of us are struggling with additional feelings of anxiety and isolation this year.

That’s why I call on each and every one of you to make mental health your top priority.

Six years ago, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released a report highlighting how post-secondary student populations across the country are at a higher risk of mental health issues.

The report detailed how half of all lifetime cases of diagnosable mental illness start by 14 years-of-age, and 75 per cent by the age of 24. Half of all Canadians will have, or will have had, a mental illness by the age of 40.

In the intervening years since that report, Algonquin College has taken many steps to enhance its support networks and resources to help our learners and employees look after their mental health.

That work continues with an even greater sense of purpose today, as we now face new personal challenges brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a return to normal still on the horizon, taking care of ourselves has become even more critical.

Algonquin College takes pride in being an inclusive, caring community. We strive each day to support and respect one another – to show kindness and empathy. By doing this, we break down the old and harmful stigmas around mental health.

Building awareness is crucial, and I encourage every learner and employee to take the time to reflect on how they are feeling and coping during these unprecedented times. Part of being aware is accepting that it is okay to be vulnerable. Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Never hesitate to reach out when in need. In addition to the resources referenced above, there are also many apps and online tools available to you, and excellent resources offered by Ottawa Public Health.

One of the recent developments in our continuing efforts around mental health is the expanded partnership Algonquin College has with The Royal. This summer, thanks to a $250,000 contribution from RBC Foundation, more of our learners in need will be able to meet online with a psychiatrist from The Royal and get the support they need through a customized treatment plan.

We also offer a complete range of counselling services and general supports in an effort to cater to the individual needs of every learner, understanding the broad range of challenges and lived experiences across our student population. These services are provided by professionals who can accommodate you virtually from the comfort of your own home.

Like everyone, I am looking forward to the time when we can all safely be together again, enjoying the vibrancy and energy of being on campus. Until then, please know you are not alone. We want you to turn your dreams into lifelong success and are committed to helping you on the journey.

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OC Transpo reliability remains a concern for Algonquin College students amid fall schedule changes

As Ottawa's transit system faces continued scrutiny following auditor general report, students share mixed experiences with services

Amanda Mcleod

Photos: Amanda McLeod

October 9, 2026
Revised: October 9, 2026 12:48pm

Photo: Amanda McLeod

Route 88, which offers citywide service for many students, can often be a crowded affair for Algonquin College commuters.

For Sarah Moritsugu, a first-year student in environmental management and assessment at Algonquin College, the new school year meant trusting OC Transpo’s new fall schedule for her commute from Blair Station in the city’s east end to the college in the west end.

“It takes me 50 minutes,” said Moritsugu. “It’s the train to Hurdman and then the 88 all the way down (to the college).”

Moritsugu, while new to this specific route, has used OC Transpo as her primary method of transportation prior to her time at Algonquin, and said she’s experienced the service at its best and its worst.

“The one thing is sometimes the 88 is late, and if the 88 is late then you’re waiting for the next one,” she said. “It can be anywhere up to 20 minutes late.”

Algonquin College student Sarah Moritsugu says OC Transpo could be better but understands the challenges of the Ottawa landscape. Photo credit: Amanda McLeod

OC Transpo has struggled to rebuild public confidence after years of light-rail delays and problems with bus scheduling and route planning — a matter that has become a key issue in this year’s municipal election.

In June 2026, Ottawa Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon released the Audit of Bus Service Planning and Scheduling, which offered a scathing evaluation of OC Transpo’s busing system.

The report found that OC Transpo management, while promising increased bus service reliability and frequent connections, had prioritized cost-saving measures over service outputs and relied on outdated data to plan schedules and routes.

In response to ongoing concerns about reliability, OC Transpo general manager Rick O’Leary held a series of town hall meetings over the summer to hear public feedback and outline the organization’s new Customer-First Action plan.

The agency also took steps to increase bus frequency and address scheduling issues ahead of an expected fall increase in ridership driven by municipal and federal return-to-work office mandates and the annual student return to school.

For some Algonquin students, these changes are proving to produce a manageable commute.

Ketsia Illunga, a third-year business student at Algonquin College, also takes Route 88, commuting to and from Alta Vista, including a transfer on Route 45.

She said her average commute time should take 50 minutes.

Illunga said so far she hasn’t run into any major problems this fall, but said in comparison to traveling to and from Gatineau last year, any improvement is welcome.

“It’s been a pretty positive experience, but I just started this month,” said Illunga. “(From Gatineau) it was very long, one hour and 30 minutes, something like that.”

Algonquin Students’ Association president Jacob Stewart said he’s heard from a number of students with concerns about OC Transpo reliability and that SA leadership has vowed to continue working with the agency to advocate for student needs.

“Transit is actively a priority for us. (Our) goal is to continue building relationships with Rick O’Leary and all the people over there at OC Transpo,” said Stewart. “Hopefully, by building those relationships and having those conversations, we can get something done for the students.

Jacob Stewart, Algonquin College Students' Association president, and Cianah Miller, vice-president, plan to work with OC Transpo to increase bus reliability for students. Photo credit: Amanda McLeod

Steward said he also understands the impact of delays firsthand.

“I’ve had horrible experiences too — I was 15 minutes late the second day of my internship,” he said.

Despite frustrations, students aren’t without understanding of the unique challenges that Ottawa’s vast landscape presents to OC Transpo planners and staff.

“Ottawa’s a big city. There’s a lot of ground to cover and there are some places where OC Transpo doesn’t hit,” said Moritsugu.

She cited a friend in Vanier who finds it more convenient to drive to Parliament than take the bus, despite the close proximity of the two areas.

“I know they’re always working understaffed and respect they’re doing their best, but obviously we can wish for things to be better.”

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AC international students try an Ontario fall tradition: apple picking

Thirty students spent a Saturday picking apples at Mountain Orchards near Kemptville, Ont., on a trip hosted by the International Education Centre

Talitha Kumi Scott

Photos: Talitha Kumi Scott

October 8, 2026
Revised: October 8, 2026 3:38pm

Photo: Talitha Kumi Scott

Jessica Gunawan holds up a freshly picked apple at Mountain Orchards on Saturday, Oct 3, 2026.

Jessica Gunawan, an international student in computer programming, figures she’s been to more than 30 events put on by the International Education Centre. She ranked a recent orchard adventure near the top, pointing to the beautiful weather and a well-organized day.

Gunawan said the events are a good way to make friends from other programs. After more than 30 of them, she’s still signing up.

A big yellow bus took the students on a 40 minute trip to Mountain Orchards on Oct. 3. At the orchard, a tractor pulled everyone out to the apple trees. Each student filled a bag with white-fleshed, tart apples, and many were happily surprised by how good they tasted.

Apple picking can seem routine to someone who has done it every fall since childhood. For someone experiencing it for the first time, it’s new and exciting.

Away from the trees, students could jump into the hay or get lost in a corn maze about 2.4 metres tall. The orchard sold barbecue, doughnuts and pies and the farm market had just about everything made from apples, including cider.

Mountain Orchards has been part of fall activities in eastern Ontario for decades. The farm has grown apples since 1932, when the first trees were grafted from the original McIntosh trees in Dundela, about 30 kilometres away, according to the orchard’s website. The Gibson family started what it calls eastern Ontario’s first pick-your-own apple operation in 1970 and the Lyall and Hobson families bought the farm in 1973.

Today the orchard has more than 10,000 dwarf trees. Two wind towers protect the spring blossoms from frost and drip irrigation keeps the trees watered through dry spells. When it hails, the website says, the family relies on prayer.

Eric Cheung, an Algonquin College international student, reaches for an apple at Mountain Orchards near Kemptville, Ont. Photo credit: Talitha Kumi Scott

The International Education Centre runs outings so international students can meet people outside the classroom.

Niamh O’Shea, manager of international student integration at the IEC, said many of the students the centre works with come from places where taking part in a harvest isn’t a tradition, where fall isn’t even a discernible season.

“It’s an opportunity for students to learn a little bit more about Ontario, some of the agriculture we grow here,” she said. “But really an opportunity for students to have a fun day out.”

In Ontario, this time of year brings apples and corn.

“In Tunisia, it’s olives and dates,” said Mahdi Raboudi, a recent graduate of Algonquin’s building construction technician program.

Tabitha Bogonko and Ilukena Maswenyeho show off their freshly-picked apples. Photo credit: Talitha Kumi Scott

Getting to seasonal fall activities is often the prohibitive part for a lot of students. O’Shea said many couldn’t make the 40-minute trip on their own.

“It’s not always easy for the students that we serve to go out into a place like Mountain Orchards,” she said. “It’s not an opportunity that every student can make happen by themselves.

“We want to make sure that some of these fun, quintessential seasonal activities are accessible to our students,” she added.

More is coming for international students who want to immerse themselves in Canadian culture. InterVarsity, a campus Christian club, is hosting a Thanksgiving Feast on Oct. 8, aimed at international students who don’t usually celebrate the holiday. The IEC’s Coffee Break meetup also runs every two weeks, giving students a regular place to see familiar faces between bigger outings.

Events like this remind international students that they aren’t on their own here and give them an easy introduction to Canadian seasonal traditions they may not have grown up with.

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Students ready to cast their ballots in the upcoming municipal election

For first and second-time voters, the Oct. 26 municipal election offers a chance to weigh in on issues affecting their communities

Ben Charles

Photos: Ben Charles

October 6, 2026
Revised: October 6, 2026 9:54pm

Photo: Ben Charles

Candidate signs on Fallowfield road.

The upcoming Ottawa municipal election will give local students a chance to have their voices heard at the polls, with some using it as their first opportunity to vote.

More than half of Canadians aged 18 to 24 voted in the 2025 federal election, according to Elections Canada. Turnout among voters in that age group reached 55.9 percent, up from 46.7 percent in 2021.

There is no comparable age breakdown for Ottawa’s municipal election, but young voters are eager to mark their ballots this month.

For 18-year-old Algonquin College business administration and marketing student Rowan Randall, the upcoming municipal election will be his first opportunity to vote.

Randall wants to use his vote to have a say in what he believes needs to change in Ottawa. Public transit, road infrastructure and housing are among the issues he wants improved.

Business and Marketing student Rowan Randall — Business and marketing student Rowan Randall. Photo credit: Ben Charles

Twenty-year-old Algonquin College business administration student Finn Swale will also be voting for the first time.

For Swale, the environmental consequences of new technology are a key consideration as he decides how to vote.

“The issue that matters most to me would be the expansion of generative AI and data centres,” Swale said. “Specifically, their impact on the environments around them.”

Swale said seeing what he considers the rapid, unregulated growth of generative AI has made him reflect on the importance of electing the right person to represent his needs.

Business and administration student Finn Swale. Photo credit: Ben Charles

For 19-year-old Carleton University information technology student Jahiem Simpson, the upcoming election will be his second time voting, but his first in a municipal election.

Simpson, who lives in Stittsville, cast his first vote during last year’s federal election. He said he’s voting in the municipal election because he wants to see improvements closer to home.

“I decided to vote this time around simply because I want to see improvements in my neighbourhood infrastructure,” he said.

Informations Technology student Jahiem Simpson — Informations technology student Jahiem Simpson. Photo credit: Ben Charles

The increased participation among younger voters in the 2025 federal election comes as Elections Canada continues to track differences in turnout between age groups.

The municipal election will be held on Oct. 26. Voters can cast their ballots at voting stations in each ward. Locations can be found here.

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Sports briefs: Men’s soccer Wolves continue undefeated season

Women's soccer team posts draw, Gee-Gees reclaim Panda title, Senators win season opener on the road

Declan Kenny

Photos: Declan Kenny

October 5, 2026
Revised: October 5, 2026 3:23pm

Photo: Declan Kenny

University of Ottawa Gee-Gees take on Carleton Ravens at TD Place on Sunday for the annual Panda Game.

The Wolves men’s soccer team is on a tear, continuing its perfect season at George Brown College with a dominant 5-0 victory on Sunday.

Alessandro Vivolo led the way with three goals, all in the second half, while Ezekeil Nartey and Cayden McMullin contributed to the scoresheet with one goal each.

The Wolves hope to remain undefeated as they take on Centennial College at home this Sunday at 3:15 p.m. Their first head-to-head matchup this year ended in a 3-1 victory for Algonquin.

Wolves women’s soccer squad ties George Brown

The women’s soccer Wolves pelted George Brown with shots but played them to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, with all goals coming in the final 10 minutes.

Algonquin’s goals came from Jasmine Young and Kassandra Da Cruz while George Brown had contributions from Jaidyn Mathieu and Peyton Coley’s 90th minute penalty kick, securing the equalizer.

The Wolves head home and look to secure their first victory since Sept. 19 when they take on Loyalist College on Saturday at 1 p.m. They are 2-3-2 this season.

uOttawa edges Carleton in annual pigskin showdown

The uOttawa Gee-Gees have reclaimed the coveted Pedro trophy after defeating the Carleton Ravens 35-32 in the 57th edition of the historic Panda Game.

uOttawa wideout Devaughn Blackwood scored three touchdowns in a game that saw several lead changes. Both teams put their high-powered offence on display for a near-capacity TD Place, totaling nearly 1,000 yards of offence between the two.

A Gee-Gees field goal with one minute remaining was the deciding factor. The Gee-Gees improved their record to 4-2 while Carleton fell to 0-5.

The Panda Game has seen uOttawa take the crown 39 times in its history while Carleton has won 18 times, most recently in last year’s edition.

Both teams are back in action Saturday, with the Gee-Gees on the road against York and Carleton hosting Western.

Ottawa Senators win season opener on the road

The Ottawa Senators began their season on a high note on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over their provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leading the way with a goal and an assist was Thomas Chabot, who was recently named captain following the controversial off-season departure of Brady Tkachuk. Claude Giroux added two assists and Linus Ullmark stood out, saving 27 of 29 shots.

For the Leafs, Kirill Marchenko scored his first goal after a recent trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, while captain Auston Matthews also potted his first of the season.

The Senators get back in action Monday night in Boston for their second game of the season while the Maple Leafs host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. The next edition of the Battle of Ontario will take place Jan. 20 in Ottawa.

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Ottawa Senators aim for another playoff appearance despite major moves this offseason

Chabot shines in season opener against the Maple Leafs, giving fans confidence in their new captain and potential playoffs in 2027

Evan Mullen

Photos: Evan Mullen

October 5, 2026
Revised: October 5, 2026 3:04pm

Photo: Evan Mullen

The Canadian Tire Centre awaits its Senators on ice.

The Ottawa Senators won their season opener 3-2 against divisional rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night in Toronto, giving fans relief after a chaotic off-season.

New Sens captain Thomas Chabot was named the first star of the game, recording a goal and an assist.

The team went through a dramatic few months ahead of the new season.

Sens GM Steve Staios traded former captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida for the 2026 ninth and 25th picks, a 2027 second-rounder and a conditional 2029 first round pick. The ninth-overall pick was then traded to San Jose for promising young forward William Eklund.

Ottawa fans are watching the impact of the roster changes.

“Staios was pretty clear after he traded Tkachuk when he said the team won’t take a step back, and I believe him,” said Coming In Hot co-host and journalist Cody Gaudreault.

Eklund registered 58 and 53 points over the last two seasons with San Jose. In 2021, Eklund presented a strong case to be drafted first overall, eventually falling to seventh to the Sharks. The Senators hope to capitalize on his high-end potential.

“Of course, with all the new players like (Carter) Yakemchuk, Eklund and (Andre) Burakovsky, there are always question marks and an adjustment period, which is why I think a lot of other reporters outside of Ottawa are predicting the Sens to miss the playoffs, but I think they’ll make it this year,” said Gaudreault.

The Senators’ biggest issue last year was their goaltending. According to MoneyPuck, the Senators finished with the fewest expected goals against but ranked 16th in goals against. With no real change in net, fans remain skeptical.

“If injuries or bad goaltending aren’t as big a problem as they were last year, this team can be scary,” said Gaudreault.

Keaghan Ruiter, a student at Carleton University, has high hopes for the team.

“I expect the Senators to make the playoffs for a third straight season, but I think goaltending will be one of the biggest factors. Linus Ullmark needs to build off his strong finish to last season and be consistent throughout the year,” said Ruiter.

“Ottawa has the offensive talent to compete, but they’ll need strong goaltending to take the next step and make a deeper playoff run,” said Ruiter.

The Senators announced 11-year veteran Chabot as team captain days before the season opener.

Gaudreault was pleased with the team’s choice.

“It’s also nice to see the Sens with a francophone captain,” said Gaudreault. “I don’t think it’s why he gets the C, but it’s for sure a bonus. Ever since the new owners came in, they’ve been trying to reach a wider francophone audience, and Chabot and (Claude) Giroux are favourites within the community.”

The tall, smooth skating defenseman has gone through it all with the team, making his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season, the year the Senators made the conference final, to then a seven-season playoffs drought, and now, back to back playoffs.

Ruiter also likes Chabot as the team’s leader.

“Chabot has been with Ottawa for 10 years, so he knows the team, the city and what it’s taken to get here. I also like moving on from Tkachuk and giving the team a fresh start with Chabot leading this next chapter,” said Ruiter.

The Senators’ next game is Monday against another divisional rival, the Boston Bruins. Their home opener is against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 8.

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Evan Mullen

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Wolves basketball teams split doubleheader in close exhibition contests

The women’s team won and the men’s team lost

Ben Charles

Photos: Ben Charles

October 4, 2026
Revised: October 4, 2026 9:56pm

Photo: Ben Charles

Guard Shyeem Brown looks for a passing opportunity.

The Wolves women’s team won Friday’s exhibition basketball doubleheader against Heritage College at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

The Wolves started with momentum, but the second and third quarters proved difficult as Heritage stayed close and challenged the Wolves on both ends of the court.

Algonquin entered the fourth quarter needing to regain control.

McLean said the team remained focused despite the challenges it faced.

“Perseverance was the key to today’s win,” McLean said.

The Wolves began to turn the game midway through the fourth quarter. McLean said the team became more focused defensively while improving ball movement on offence.

“There was a point midway through the fourth quarter where we started to lock in on defence and started to move the ball well on offence, and that’s when the score started to shift in our favour,” McLean said.

The Wolves held on to secure the 52-48 victory.

Guard Kaitlyn Harvey attempting to drive to the basket. Photo credit: Ben Charles

Despite the win, McLean said the team still has work to do before the regular season begins.

“We have to focus on consistent play,” he said. “We are still young and early in the season. Learning to play at a consistent level is going to be key to our success this year.”

McLean also identified decision-making as an area for improvement, saying the team needs to better recognize what is happening on the court instead of forcing plays.

“One thing we need to continue to focus on developing is our ability to read what’s in front of us,” he said.

Guard Prissy Chuoi guarding a heritage college player at inbound. — Guard Prissy Chuoi guarding a Heritage College player at inbound. Photo credit: Ben Charles

Men’s basketball battles back but falls short

The men took the court at 8 p.m. against Montmorency and fought back from a deficit.

Wolves guard Shyheem Brown said the Wolves stayed composed and kept competing.

“They had a stretch where they were kind of pulling the lead, and we didn’t let it get to us,” Brown said. “We fought back, and we ended up tying the game and even being up a point in the fourth quarter.”

Brown said the men’s team also improved their work on ball screens but struggled to stop Montmorency from getting into the paint.

“The main thing that we struggled to capitalize on was just stopping dribble penetration,” he said. “If we stopped the ball penetration, we could’ve easily stopped them much better on the defensive side.”

Struggling to create offensive opportunities, the men’s team lost possession several times after running out the shot clock.

“There were a lot of times where we were getting shots up at the last second of the shot clock,” Brown said. “We kind of got to get into our offence a bit earlier and try and get some better looks.”

Wolves forward Aydin Gilani also pointed to defence as an area that needed improvement.

“Our defence could have been much better,” Gilani said. “We were all over the place and weren’t communicating or staying organized.”

Gilani said the team showed more energy after halftime and kept competing despite the deficit.

“We came out with more effort and intensity, and we continued to compete even though we were down.”

The Wolves fought back and took a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Montmorency held on for the 65-63 victory.

Brown said the comeback showed the team’s willingness to stay together.

“We fought back as a team,” he said. “We win as a team. We lose as a team.”

Both Wolves basketball teams are scheduled to open the regular season Oct. 23 at home against George Brown.

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Ben Charles

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People at Truth and Reconciliation ceremony say day means more than wearing orange

Survivors, families and community members gathered on Parliament Hill on Wednesday to remember the children who never returned home and reflect on what reconciliation means

Sienna Gauthier

Photos: Sienna Gauthier

October 2, 2026
Revised: October 2, 2026 3:14pm

Photo: Sienna Gauthier

Truth and Reconciliation Day volunteers hold a red fabric banner displaying the names of hundreds of children who never returned home.

Traditional music from the Eagle River Singers opened the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation gathering at Parliament Hill on Wednesday as attendees gathered to remember the children who never returned home from residential schools.

The multilingual ceremony brought together residential school survivors, elders, students and community members. The atmosphere shifted between pride, reflection and grief as speaker Claudette Commanda opened by thanking attendees and inviting survivors on stage to tell their stories.

Earl Wood, a Cree broadcaster, and Melissa Mollen Dupuis, an Innu activist and broadcaster, later joined the ceremony, speaking about residential schools, stolen land, forced adoptions, loss of identity and intergenerational trauma. Their main message was simple: “We are still here today and every day.”

People gather on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony. Photo credit: Sienna Gauthier

For Ann Jeni, the day is very personal.

“My dad was in a residential school and my mom was part of the Sixties Scoop,” Jeni said. “I don’t have grandparents because we never grew up with them.”

Jeni’s mother was removed from her family as a child as part of the Sixties Scoop, a period when thousands of Indigenous children were separated from their families and placed in foster care or adopted, often by non-Indigenous families. The practice resulted in many children losing connections to their families, communities and cultures.

For Jeni, remembering the experiences of previous generations is part of breaking the cycle of generational trauma.

“My son, at least he has his grandma now,” she said. “Maybe he doesn’t have a great grandma because of it, but he has his grandma.”

For residential school survivor Dallas Sutton-Taylor, remembrance also means learning about the experiences of people affected by the residential school system.

“Just knowing you’re leaving with more awareness too, hearing everybody and what people have been through should cause reflection” Sutton-Taylor said.

Sutton-Taylor said reconnecting with Indigenous culture has also been part of his journey after growing up without knowing his identity or learning traditional practices.

“I didn’t grow up learning how to do so many things that I wished I would have learned,” he said.

A Truth and Reconciliation ceremony volunteer overlooks the crowd on Parliament Hill. Photo credit: Sienna Gauthier

Maya Garnell, a volunteer, says reconciliation should go farther than wearing an orange short or attending an event.

“Remembering the children means making sure their stories are not reduced to statistics. I hope that after today, the stories of these children don’t go unrecognized and aren’t just seen as numbers,” Garnell said. “Indigenous people are still facing hardships to this day and it’s important to continuously educate ourselves on the atrocities that took place.”

As the ceremony wrapped up, the crowd left with tears and heavy hearts. While emotional support booths were available, the day was a reminder that reconciliation does not end when the orange shirts come off.

Jeni said remembering should happen every day.

“I know it’s just one day a year we gather to remember, but you know, it’s everyday for me almost,” she said.

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Sienna Gauthier

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Clubsfest helps students connect with campus communities

Clubsfest gives students the opportunity to explore campus clubs, meet student leaders and learn about ways to get involved

Mariana Vega Andrade

Photos: Mariana Vega Andrade

October 2, 2026
Revised: October 6, 2026 11:58am

Photo: Mariana Vega Andrade

Students visit club booths during Clubsfest in the Student Commons.

Students had the opportunity to learn about many different clubs and groups available at Algonquin College at Clubsfest on Sept. 29.

“I was kind of looking at the Dungeon & Dragons club, it’s been a curiosity of mine. My cousins and dad play the game,” Lily Sagriff said.

Sagriff attended Clubsfest to meet people with similar interests while also learning from students with different backgrounds and experiences.

Although she has not yet committed to joining a club, Sagriff believes events like Clubsfest play an important role in helping students feel part of the campus community.

“If you’re in a group event, that’s where you get to connect the most with people that are around you,” she said.

Clubsfest featured groups representing a wide range of interests such as technology, gaming, religion, arts and animal welfare.

Clubsfest is held each year to help students find clubs and communities which fit their interests, Austin Donoghue of the Students’ Association said.

One of the clubs featured at the event was the AC Animanga Club which aims to bring together students who share an interest in anime, manga and related media through watch parties, game nights, group readings and more.

Members of the AC Animanga Club at their booth during Clubsfest. Photo credit: Mariana Vega Andrade

AC Animanga Club hopes to expand its creative workshops and larger cosplay events in the future. Members say the goal is to continue creating opportunities for students to connect through shared interests and build friendships on campus.

Animal welfare was represented by Pawsitive Society, a club dedicated to educating students about responsible animal care. The club regularly hosts discussions about pet care and community initiatives that support local wildlife organizations.

“Our main purpose is to spread awareness about how to care for animals and what they need, as opposed to the myths that are usually associated with animal care,” said Maya Peretz, one of the representatives of the club. “We just want support the animals in our community.”

Maya Peretz and Louise Martins represent the Pawsitive Society during Clubsfest. Photo credit: Mariana Vega Andrade

The club is currently planning a sale of handmade jewelry and accessories with more fundraisers to come, Peretz said.

Donoghue hopes to see more students find a club to join.

“Don’t be intimated. Everybody starts somewhere,” Donoghue said. “We’re here to learn and have fun.”

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Mariana Vega Andrade

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The Awesome Box: A sweet twist on public art

How kind messages and innovative art can aid in revitalizing the downtown core.

Owen Riendeau

Photos: Owen Riendeau

October 2, 2026
Revised: October 2, 2026 2:09pm

Photo: Owen Riendeau

An Awesome Box located next to the Ottawa sign in ByWard Market photographed on Sept. 25.

The “Awesome Box” is an art piece made by Ottawa-based contemporary artist Rich Loen in hopes of encouraging the sharing of kind messages between members of the community.

“People just come, they listen to a few messages and they go, all right, I get it. I know what to do. And they leave the most beautiful, happy, joyous, perfect, wonderful messages,” said Loen.

The idea behind Loen’s Awesome Box is that someone leaves a kind message recorded by a speaker in the box that can be replayed by the next onlooker, with the goal of spreading positive messages between the people who interact with the box.

The Awesome Box is a part of a greater initiative launched in June 2026 by the City of Ottawa in collaboration with the Ottawa Art Gallery with the hopes of creating more visible and walkable destinations for residents and visitors of the downtown core. One of the most prominent components of this initiative has been increasing the amount of visible public art attractions throughout downtown Ottawa.

Awesome Boxes have been installed in the downtown core and they have been popular attractions since being installed in August.

“We’re getting hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of messages a day,” said Loen. “It’s nice to be able to create art that is public-facing and that is interactive.”

Visitors of the downtown core have shown mostly positive reactions to the box, pointing out the kindness of the messages.

“I think it’s really sweet where you can put a really nice note for the next person to listen and for me, I feel like it would make my day,” said 19-year-old University of Ottawa student Dora Long. “I think it’s really creative that this is like a way that we can connect people to get together and stuff like that, so I think it’s really cool.”

Dora Long listening to a kind message from the Awesome Box, Sept 25, 2026. — Dora Long listening to a kind message from the Awesome Box on Sept. 25. Photo credit: Owen Riendeau

Others have suggested the volume on the speaker of the boxes is too low and difficult to hear.

“I love the idea, but the execution needs some work because they can’t hear a thing,” said Alan Lori, 49. “I love the forward thinking, love the vision, love the interactive, but make it work.”

Photo of Alan Lori interacting with the Awesome Box, Sept 26, 2026. — Alan Lori interacting with the Awesome Box on Sept 26. Photo credit: Owen Riendeau

The Awesome Box can be found at multiple locations, including the OAG, the National Art Gallery, the Ottawa School of Art and next to the Ottawa sign in ByWard Market.

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Owen Riendeau

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A night of celebrating Ottawa through animation at the OAG

A new exhibition is open for viewing at the Ottawa Art Gallery, which was standing out a little extra over the weekend

Delaney St. Pierre

Photos: Delaney St. Pierre

October 2, 2026
Revised: October 2, 2026 1:59pm

Photo: Delaney St. Pierre

Jay Odjick's animation projected on the front of the Ottawa Art Gallery.

Frame by Frame: Animation in Ottawa, the Ottawa Art Gallery’s (OAG) newest exhibition, has officially opened. It had its opening reception on Sept. 24, along with the projection launch of Jay Odjick’s animation, Odawa Yesterday: Odawa Chinago.

Frame by Frame was curated by Meghan Ho, Chris Robinson and Kelly Neall, presented in partnership with the 50-year running Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF.) The exhibition aims to enlighten visitors about Ottawa’s rich history in animation, which spans over 80 years.

“We really hope that people are more familiar with the animation history in the area. It has some deep roots here but not everybody knows about it, even if you are from Ottawa,” said Ho.

The entire Frame by Frame team poses for a photo. — The entire "Frame by Frame" team poses for a photo. Photo credit: Delaney St. Pierre

Frame by Frame starts guests off with a timeline that brings viewers through the detailed history of animation in Ottawa, from 80 years ago to the present. The exhibition features a blend of still images and multiple kinds of animation, from hand drawn to stop motion.

Many artists, editors and designers who contributed to the exhibition came to celebrate Frame by Frame’s opening while bonding over their shared love for art and animation.

“I have a stop motion animation film called Emergency Broadcast,” said Pixie Cram, one of the exhibition’s featured artists. “It was made when I was doing an artist residency at the Diefenbunker museum in Carp, so at that time it was on display in the museum and that was in 2017. So, it’s nice to have another public opening for it.”

Odawa Yesterday: Odawa Chinago is launched

Indigenous artist Jay Odjick had his animation, Odawa Yesterday: Odawa Chinago, projected onto the front of the OAG.

The animation was a collaboration with the OAG and the National Arts Centre (NAC). The NAC featured a second animation, Odawa Tomorrow: Odawa Wabang, projected on the Kipnes Lantern. The animations aim to celebrate Ottawa 200 by reminding citizens that Ottawa has existed for much longer than 200 years.

The animation showcases Ottawa’s history beyond the 200 years being celebrated. It begins with early Indigenous settlers, to newcomers arriving over the years with old ships to modern day airplanes and finally the diverse population here today.

Jay Odjick making a speech about Ottawa's history. Photo credit: Delaney St. Pierre

“Ottawa has always been a place where people have gathered and come together, and that is what I hope people take away from it is that we’re stronger together,” said Odjick.

“We are so much better off when we begin to learn about one another’s culture, no matter where we’re from. We’re stronger when we grow together.”

While Odjick’s animations only ran last weekend, the Frame by Frame exhibit will be open to the public until March 2027.

Arts & Entertainment | Featured Hero | Featured Story | Home Feature

Delaney St. Pierre

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