Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute (Oshki-Wenjack) delivers a culturally relevant education and a sense of belonging. Oshki-Pimache-O-Win means “a new beginning” in the Oji-Cree language. The school’s name honours Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who died escaping from a residential school in the ’60s.

Located in Thunder Bay, Oshki-Wenjack offers degree, diploma, certificate and academic upgrading programs through partnerships with other colleges, including Canadore, Confederation and Sault, and with Lakehead University. Programs incorporate Indigenous knowledge, skills and traditions. The school offers Indigenous wellness and addictions prevention programming, along with an Indigenous social service worker specialization. Many programs allow students to stay in their home communities; they attend two-week intensive blocks twice per semester and complete the rest of their learning online. The school has added new audio-visual equipment to all its classrooms for virtual participation, including tracking cameras, speakers, microphones and display screens.

A two- to three-day orientation is mandatory for new students to meet instructors and peers and learn about campus. The Migizi Cultural Room hosts healing circles and cultural teachings. Through the Elder-on-campus program, students connect with Elders for counselling, traditional teaching and circle ceremonies, and the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge.