about
Us
Us
about
Oshki-Wenjack
Oshki-Wenjack
programs
& Applying
& Applying
CURRENT
STUDENTS
STUDENTS
When we walk this path together, we all become stronger. Oshki-Wenjack welcomes Indigenous students from across Ontario to find a new beginning in a community that feels like home.
Building and Empowering First Nations Futures
Strengthening Nations through First Nations Education
Oshki-Wenjack empowers new beginnings to build stronger communities
We are compassionate and inclusive and we meet learners where they are at
We are supportive, student-centered and culturally safe
Our curriculum and learning supports are holistic and culturally enriched
We are responsive, unique and evolving
We work closely with NAN communities to develop unique educational programs that directly serve the workforce needs of those communities. Whether courses are delivered remotely or in-person in Thunder Bay, the emphasis at Oshki-Wenjack is always on creating a learning environment where each learner has the opportunity to find their path and achieve their goals.
Our Governing Council is composed of representatives from each of the Tribal Councils in the NAN territory. Our staff are full-time members, and our faculty are contract instructors. Researchers, curriculum developers, and special project support are hired as needed.
We work with regional colleges, universities, and other partners to:
Our mandate is to provide education and training opportunities to the people of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and the surrounding area. NAN encompasses James Bay Treaty 9 territory and Ontario’s portion of Treaty 5, covering a land area of 210,000 square miles. The approximate population of NAN First Nation members (on- and off-reserve) is 45,000. The people of Nishnawbe Aski traditionally speak Ojibway, Cree, and Oji-Cree. We also welcome students from anywhere in Ontario to take part in our uniquely delivered programs.
Our campus is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. It includes classrooms, kitchen amenities, a computer lab, and a student lounge. The campus is centrally located in the downtown south core, close to bus transportation, and is accessible to people with disabilities.
In 1996, the Chiefs of our NAN territory gave Oshki-Wenjack a mandate to provide more postsecondary education opportunities for our youth. Since then, we have helped many students from our communities improve their lives through culturally enriched education.
Today, we are still on that pathway, and we’re looking towards an even better future. We need more supports and quality programming for our youth, secure funding, and a new campus that has a closer connection to the land. Oshki-Wenjack’s goal is comparable to other high level education institutes like colleges or universities in Canada. This Strategic Plan outlines how we will achieve these and other goals over the next four years to improve our programming and learning spaces.
Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute is one of the seven aboriginal institutes in Ontario that is represented by the Indigenous Institutes’ Consortium (IIC). The IIC is the collective voice of the province’s Indigenous education sector and is driving the push for resources and capacity-building required to ensure that Indigenous education forms a viable and post-secondary education pillar alongside Ontario’s colleges and universities.
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
** Closed on Holidays**
