ALGONQUIN COLLEGE
Four Indigenous students return from Turtle Island Indigenous Cultural Exchange Project in Australia

Four Algonquin College students recently returned to Ottawa from studying in Wollongong, Australia, for two and a half weeks after participating in a for-credit study abroad experience at the University of Wollongong.  

Students embarked on the transformative two-week study tour in Wollongong, where they were exposed to an immersive exploration into the rich tapestry of Indigenous Australia. Highlights included a visit to the Daintree Rainforest, where they participated in a "Welcome to Country" and "Dreamtime Walk," as well as Stories with Elders and Rangers, a whale watching cruise with First Nations experts, a guest lecture on Indigenous whale stories and a guest lecture with Indigenous artist Josie Atkinson-Flanders about using art for sharing stories and activism. 

"Mamakadakamig (Wonderful, Amazing)! Algonquin College is incredibly proud of the four students who represented the College in a good way in Wollongong, Australia," said Anita Tenasco, Algonquin College's Director of Indigenous Initiatives. "By the students participating within the Turtle Island Indigenous Cultural Exchange Project, Algonquin College was able to collaborate with Cambrian College and Georgian College within the Global Skills Opportunity Student Mobility Grant (funded by the Government of Canada). Bravo to our students who travelled across the globe to build relationships, learn and share knowledge on behalf of our institution." 

This was a unique and multidisciplinary experience for the four Indigenous Algonquin College students.  Before departing, they were able to "travel" to Australia using a virtual reality environment created through the Innovation Project's Indigenous Horizons project, which allowed students to "meet" staff and students in Australia ahead of their trip.  

This project was part of an initiative from Algonquin College's International Education Centre (IEC). The IEC has just concluded a joint initiative incorporating Indigenous learning, research and virtual reality technology. This project included students, faculty and staff from Algonquin College, Cambrian College and Georgian College, as well as the University of Wollongong. 

"Indigenous Horizons: Indigenous student engagement through virtual reality learning and mobility experiences", was funded through the Government of Canada's Global Skills Opportunity Innovation Fund, administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada. 

Through a partnership between the three Canadian colleges and the University of Wollongong the project aimed to break down geographical barriers and foster meaningful connections among diverse indigenous communities via virtual reality learning and mobility programs. 

Algonquin College was responsible for completing the research component of the project, which was supported by Applied Research and the Mamidosewin Centre, and informed the virtual reality and curriculum development; Georgian College developed the virtual reality component; and Cambrian College developed the academic curriculum and delivered a pilot course using the virtual reality platform.